Tobago’s political landscape is embroiled in a heated dispute over development plans for No Man’s Land beachfront property, with PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis accusing the current THA administration of concealing a private development agreement until after the January 12 Tobago House of Assembly elections.
Dennis, the PNM candidate for Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, raised serious concerns during a January 6 campaign meeting in Bon Accord about what he describes as a clandestine arrangement between the THA and an unidentified private developer. The controversy centers on allegations that vendors at the government-owned No Man’s Land were visited by police-accompanied developers who demanded they vacate the premises by January 20.
THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine has vigorously denied these accusations, maintaining that the Assembly was simply approached by a developer offering to enhance the area for vendors at no cost to the government. Augustine stated he instructed the developer to first consult with vendors before submitting any formal proposal.
Dennis expressed profound skepticism about these claims, stating, ‘No businessman will undertake significant development on prime beachfront property free of charge. There must be some arrangement—whether private or public—for somebody to benefit.’ He criticized the administration’s approach, emphasizing that proper procedures involving public tender processes and community consultation were completely bypassed.
The PNM leader outlined what he characterized as proper protocol: issuing a request for proposals, conducting transparent selection processes, and engaging in meaningful community consultation before any development decisions. He promised that a PNM-led THA would prioritize vendor livelihoods while preserving the natural beauty of the area, ensuring all current vendors could continue their trade in improved conditions.
Dennis urged voters to support the PNM to protect their interests, positioning the election as a choice between transparent governance and what he called ‘backdoor deals’ that threaten local livelihoods and public property rights.