The Government and parties on the island of Príncipe signed an agreement to reestablish the partnership with the HBD Príncipe group. The group belongs to South African investor Mark Shuttleworth, who announced the end of investments and departure from the island in the face of accusations of neocolonialist actions.
“The Regional Government and the political forces undertake to do everything to reestablish the partnership with the HBD group, in an environment of balance and mutual respect and in good faith”, reads the document dated Wednesday, to which Lusa had access today.
The signatories said that “after deep reflection” they decided that “the Prince’s interests are above personal, political-party interests” and recognize “the importance of investor Mark [Shuttleworth] for the sustainable development of Príncipe”.
Furthermore, they mentioned that “a broad platform of understanding between the Regional Government and political forces was created, with the aim of promoting a permanent dialogue for the continuous search for consensus on relevant issues of interest to the Region”.
“Mark is an investor that all the Prince trusts and has proven, that’s why we gathered here to convey this message to the investor and also to make him backtrack on his intention [de abandonar a ilha]”, highlighted Nestor Umbelina, leader of the Green Movement for Development of Príncipe (MVDP), in the regional opposition.
“This is the spirit necessary for us to demonstrate that the interests of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe are above any partisan political interest […] It is an instrument that will contribute significantly to this message of trust and demonstrate to those invested that everyone is willing to continue with their project in Príncipe”, said the president of the Regional Government of Príncipe, Filipe Nascimento.
On Thursday, HBD employees held a peaceful march in the city of Santo António and also called for the continuity of HBD in Príncipe.
“We think the project has a great impact not only on Príncipe, but also on São Tomé […] We want the project to continue for the good of Príncipe, for sustainability”, declared one of the employees during the march.
The company HBD Príncipe, owned by South African Mark Shuttleworth, the largest tourist investment in Príncipe, communicated to the regional authorities the decision to cease investments and leave the island in the face of accusations of neocolonialist actions.
“If there are strong leadership factions who believe that our work is done in bad faith, with neocolonial intentions, then it would be best to withdraw out of respect for the autonomy of Príncipe. My team and I feel that we are currently seen as benefactors and punching bags, whatever is most convenient at the time”, said Mark Shuttleworth, in the letter sent to the president of the government of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, Filipe Nascimento.
João Carlos Santos
HBD is the largest company on the island of Príncipe with several investments in the tourism sector, guaranteeing employment for hundreds of people on the island, in addition to supporting the construction and rehabilitation of various infrastructures.
The businessman guaranteed that the objective of the work on Príncipe, which began in 2010, “was never commercial” and therefore he will not insist on maintaining business on the island.
“For this reason, I have made the decision to ask my team to look for alternative investors who can move forward with these deals with better approval from Príncipe’s leadership and to discuss the process by which we would gracefully close HBD’s ecotourism and agriculture investments in Príncipe. I have asked my team to work with his government to make this transition, back into the hands of Príncipe, smooth,” it reads.
On Tuesday, the president of the Regional Government of Príncipe promised to do everything to convince the company HBD Príncipe not to cease investments and leave the island and lamented “sad and irresponsible approaches” in recent times, which he attributed to political forces, political leaders and some news sources in the country against the company, to “try to extract political dividends”.