SSZ Part II Published in Times Caribbean Online

James Gaskell expresses deep concern over the proposed Special Security Zone (SSZ) legislation in Nevis, likening it to a parasitic cuckoo bird threatening to overwhelm the island’s existing ecosystem. He questions the Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) comparison of the project to Dubai, arguing that such comparisons are misleading given Nevis’s distinct history, culture, and economic realities. Dubai’s wealth is rooted in oil and established trade, while Nevis’s strength lies in its close-knit community and unique Caribbean identity. Gaskell worries that emulating Dubai could lead to an influx of expatriate workers, potentially disrupting the island’s social fabric and creating imbalances in demographics and labor practices, even raising the specter of human trafficking.

A central issue for Gaskell is the lack of transparency surrounding the SSZ. He criticizes the NIA’s reluctance to disclose crucial details, including the draft Development Agreement, the identities of the investors, a comprehensive business plan, independent economic impact assessments, and the project’s financial structure. Without this information, Gaskell argues, meaningful public debate is impossible, and the people of Nevis cannot properly evaluate the potential benefits and risks. He suspects a deliberate attempt to push the project through without genuine public engagement. This lack of transparency fuels concerns that the SSZ may ultimately serve the interests of a select few, potentially at the expense of the broader Nevisian community.

Gaskell also draws parallels between the Nevisian SSZ and the ZEDE (Zones for Employment and Economic Development) initiative in Honduras, which ultimately faced legal challenges and was deemed unconstitutional. Both schemes, he argues, share a common thread of granting significant autonomy to foreign investors, potentially undermining national sovereignty and legal frameworks. He highlights the risk that Nevis, like Honduras, could face costly legal battles and financial liabilities if the SSZ’s legality is challenged. He recommends seeking a preemptive legal opinion from the courts to establish the constitutional validity of the proposed legislation, thereby protecting the Premier, the NIA, and the people of Nevis from potential legal and financial repercussions.

Further amplifying anxieties, Gaskell notes, are the broad powers proposed to be devolved upon the “Crypto Bros,” the investors behind the SSZ project, raising doubts about the legality of such sweeping concessions. He suspects the investors themselves drafted the legislation to maximize their control and minimize oversight. Features initially present in the draft bill, such as a minimum land area requirement, heritage preservation commitments, and an independent oversight body, have been omitted in the final Act, further raising concerns about the intent and potential consequences of the SSZ. Gaskell speculates that these omissions were made at the behest of the investors to facilitate land acquisition, bypass potential obstacles posed by historical structures, and avoid independent scrutiny.

The perceived lack of accountability to the Nevisian people is another critical concern for Gaskell. He notes the absence of meaningful sanctions in the legislation and the extensive discretion granted to the Premier and Prime Minister. This concentration of power, coupled with the potential use of cryptocurrency, creates a scenario where financial transactions could lack transparency, making it difficult to track revenues due to the Nevisian treasury and enforce financial obligations. This opacity, he argues, raises the risk of corruption and undermines public trust. He argues that effective legal counsel representing the interests of the Nevisian people would likely find numerous deficiencies within the current legislation.

Gaskell concludes with a call for greater public awareness and action, urging citizens to participate in a planned march to demand transparency and accountability from the NIA. He emphasizes the importance of investigative journalism and public engagement in holding power to account and ensuring that decisions of this magnitude are made in the best interests of the entire community, not just a privileged few. The SSZ issue, as Gaskell frames it, is not simply a development project but a critical juncture for Nevis, requiring careful consideration, open dialogue, and a commitment to safeguarding the island’s unique identity and the well-being of its people.