Opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves has used the phrase “the devil is in the details” to describe his cautious approach to negotiations with Global Ports and to criticize the government’s current handling of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the cruise ship pier.
Gonsalves stated that during his own meetings with Global Ports representatives, he insisted they move beyond general discussions and provide a draft agreement with greater specificity because of the potential for hidden complications in the fine print.
He questioned the true extent of the promised $30 million USD investment. He pointed out that without detailed accounting, an “80 million EC” investment could actually turn out to be significantly less (perhaps 50 or 66 million), meaning the public would not know exactly what they were paying for.
A major “detail” Gonsalves highlighted was the lack of clarity regarding the head tax and management fees. He noted it is unclear how much of the passenger head tax Global Ports would keep to recoup their investment, and whether the government would be responsible for the costs of financing the project.
He characterized it as “crazy” that the government would agree to a 30-year lease before these critical financial details were finalized. He argued that signing an MOU under these conditions was a “semblance of activity” designed to “throw smoke in people’s eyes” rather than a well-negotiated deal.
Gonsalves contrasted this with his own “nuanced approach,” which involved checking with leaders in Antigua, St. Kitts, and Barbados to see what kind of deals they had struck with the same company to ensure St. Vincent was getting the best possible terms.