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By Loshaun Dixon
The historic Fort Thomas site in Basseterre, St. Kitts, is at the centre of a growing controversy as heritage advocates, former officials, and the St. Christopher National Trust raise concerns over the ongoing development of the “Symbol of Love” Monument and Museum.
During a PLP town hall last week, Calivin Pemberton, former Director of Public Works and former chairperson of the Building Board, addressed the matter, stating, “A PLP government would embrace and practice good governance, transparency and inclusion. And the PLP government would respect the St. Christopher National Trust Authorization Act, which authorizes the National Trust to advise and lobby on matters in relation to heritage sites.”
Pemberton recalled a previous project to illustrate proper consultation: “I can recall the Christina Disaster Memorial. The government at the time had officers at very high level, the highest level, if not the cabinet secretary and myself, when that project was being contemplated, to meet and work with the St. Kitts National Trust and have all the discussion, and thought through all the issues and come up with the final product that we see when we traverse the area there.”
He criticised the current administration for failing to properly acknowledge the significance of Fort Thomas, saying, “Unfortunately and probably sadly, the project was completed in July of 2022, just a week or so before the elections. As you would have it, the new government, upon taking office, has not even up to now had a ceremony opening and declaring the monument as something that is important and significant to our people.”
Former government minister Dwyer Astaphan also voiced his frustration. “There are some extremely sensitive environmental and heritage issues at this site. And from what I see from this distance and what I hear from measured and careful voices, there seems to be a cavalier and even arrogant approach to the issues and to the concerns expressed by local people with regard to what is happening,” he said. Astaphan added, “I’m fed up of arrogant people coming into our country, persuading our leaders into error and bad judgment and abusing our intelligence and our patrimony. I’m fed up with it, and learned technical people are complaining. Organizations are complaining, perhaps some of them too quietly. We need to make some noise. Democracy is a noisy thing.”
Astaphan further detailed issues on-site, stating, “I’m told of complaints of poor on-site monitoring, possible undocumented removal and damage of heritage items from the site. I’m told of unacceptably loose arrangements on the ground. And I’m told that notwithstanding the sweet talk of jobs for locals, down there is just like the Galaxy, Harris Prison Project… If you see a local human being, you’re lucky. You’ll see a lot of local dirt and grass, maybe some sheep. But you’re not going to see a lot of local workers.” He emphasised the need for oversight, saying, “An objective and thorough assessment of this Fort Thomas project is needed and the work needs to be stopped until all of the T’s are crossed and the I’s dotted. The project should not have been allowed in the first place and one day all will be revealed.”
The St. Christopher National Trust has also raised concerns over the lack of consultation. The Trust stated, “Fort Thomas is part of our shared story, and the public deserves transparency and responsible stewardship. The Trust is not opposed to development, but any projects on sites of national heritage must be guided by careful consultation and respect for our collective history.”
Under a new lease-to-own agreement with ABL Inc., a Caribbean developer known for innovative tourism initiatives, the Fort Thomas property will be developed into a heritage and leisure park. According to project plans, the site will feature two flagship institutions—the Caribbean Museum of History and an International Museum—alongside botanical gardens, water features, restaurants, cafés, retail spaces, and a jetty to enhance cruise tourism. Replicas of world heritage monuments will honour historic figures who shaped history through courage, justice, and peace.
While the government emphasises the potential economic and tourism benefits of the project, heritage advocates insist that proper consultation and oversight are critical. “The public deserves transparency and responsible stewardship,” the Trust reiterated, emphasising that all future actions must involve careful consideration of both tangible and intangible elements of national heritage.
The Fort Thomas controversy highlights the ongoing tension between tourism development and heritage preservation in St. Kitts, underscoring the need for adherence to statutory guidance, active engagement with stakeholders, and protection of the nation’s cultural legacy.
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