THE EDITOR, Sir:THE NEGRIL Chamber of Commerce has noted the item that your newspaper carried, purportedly as a report of the meeting held to discuss the Environmental Impact Assess-ment for the new RIU hotel development.
This meeting lasted for approximately four hours, three of which were devoted to concerns, which the community had about the potential impact of this development on the environment. A number of local organisations were represented as well as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and many questions were raised, including the intention to relocate the fish sanctuary, the treatment of sewage and the preservation of endemic species.
It should also be clear that these concerns were critical, as the current RIU property had not adhered to the conditions laid out for its development. The range of speakers and the passion of their delivery indicated clearly that this was a community concern.
The representative of the company, who attended the meeting, publicly accepted this.
During the final hour of the meeting, the presenters claimed that RIU would maintain its positive relationship with the community and its support for the economy of the area.
It was at this point that reference was made to the current practices of the company that threaten the survival of the small properties and the fact that the hotel has completely isolated itself from the community.
Even with your continuous leaning towards the sensational, it is incredible that there was no effort to provide a balanced report for your readers. We really expect a higher level of responsibility from your reporters.
I am etc.,
KENRIC DAVIS
President,
Negril Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 3055,
negrilchamber@cwjamaica.com
