Descartes debuted on July 1st at the headquarters of the Opposition Leader, where he zeroed in on the Bananes Bay Development being undertaken by Global Ports Holding at a press conference.

An SNO Journalist subsequently questioned him, and his responses were not very consistent with the views expressed in his initial address.

Said Descartes in his address: “If this is not the height of psychological manipulation and abuse of state power, I don’t know what is.”

When questioned by an SNO reporter, Descartes seemed to have lightened his tone when asked for his alternative to the current relocation process at Bananes: “Well, firstly, I want to just be clear: my arguments were not against the relocation, but rather how they were relocated.  I have no issues with the development. I'm simply saying that the development must ensure that they are relocated or resettled with dignity and humanely.”

On June 17th, Castries South MP Dr Ernest Hilaire reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring a smooth resettlement for all residents: “Any individual who believes the arrangement SLASPA has offered them is inadequate, I am prepared to sit with them. We will not let anybody be disadvantaged. But someone who built a shack last December cannot now demand house, land, and a million dollars just because the opposition said so.”

Consistencies continue as Descartes in his address said: “The Saint Lucian public must be reminded that Saint Lucia has a long history of resettling communities. It was done for Conway residents, and it can, and should be done, for the residents of Banane Bay.”

However, when asked what a UWP would do in the alternative for residents, Descartes admitted that: “There are some persons who have gotten lands and others haven’t, so there is a clear disparity in how this settlement process is ongoing.”

While Descartes alludes to different resettlement options, officials have outlined that residents would be accommodated in various ways due to their individual circumstances.

Of note, in a June 4th press statement, the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority explained: “Personalised packages were developed based on structure value, length of occupancy, and potential income loss. Even without formal documents, claims were accepted in good faith.”

The development of Bananes Bay will see the construction of a fisherman’s village and other amenities as part of a larger Port Castries redevelopment agenda.