While the Société du Morne Brabant thought its problems were over and that its Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) project would go forward, the government seems to have decided otherwise. The ministry of Lands has started the process to take back the lands on lease with the government. Even though the director of the Société du Morne, Bertrand Giraud, says he has not been informed, he made it clear he is prepared to fight if necessary.

The ministry of Lands has actually started the legal procedure, as shown in the letter sent to the State Law Office (SLO). This letter, signed by the ministry?s permanent secretary, makes it clear that the State wants two plots of lands ? about 360 acres ? back and asks the SLO to ?take all appropriate action?. However, the minister of Lands, Asraf Dullul, appears keen on starting a dialogue with the company. Although he asserts that ?nothing has been finalised yet?, he however makes it clear that ?everything will be done according to the law while making sure that no citizen is wronged. And if ever there were some doubts, there can be discussions?.

More determined than ever

For the moment, however, it appears that there is no dialogue, as the main concerned asserts he has not been informed of the ministry?s decision. He says he is ?deeply shocked? by the news but refuses to take a final stand until he is officially informed. However, he has already warned that he will make sure ?his rights are respected?. In fact, ?for twenty years, there have been several attempts to try and take those lands back?. But this time, he looks more determined than ever.

The director of the Société du Morne might actually be even angrier as he already had to fight before he finally obtained the authorisation to start his project. As his site was part of the area where there used to be maroons, it was seen as a great symbol of slave resistance. It is even expected to become part of the World Heritage of the Unesco if the government can submit a complete file before 1st February.

Bertrand Giraud has accepted to bring a lot of changes to his initial project on the request of a Unesco representative to make sure his project would not jeopardise the enrolment on the Unesco list. A buffer zone was proposed around the mountain to make sure development would not spoil the symbolic site. ?We have obtained all the authorisations. We have paid Rs 45 million as land transfer tax. This means that our project has been accepted,? Bertrand Giraud claims.

But minister Dullul asserts that the only reason for the government to review the lease contracts is to make sure that the Morne will be included on the Unesco list. Even though Bertrand Giraud also appears willing to see the site enrolled as part of the World Heritage, he nevertheless insists on going further with his project ? the more so as the Unesco itself ?has found no fault with it?.

In its final phase, the IRS project was expected to include 100 villas, a hotel, a museum, a handicraft village, hike tracks, as well as the reforestation of some areas. Work was intended to start as from next April? But a trial of strength might well delay it!