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Small Islands Voice Global Forum
Further views on the Palau road
We have been delighted to receive so many responses on the new road being built in Palau, unfortunately they cannot all be posted on this forum. However, ALL the substantive responses received are available on the Small Islands Voice website (see http://www.unesco.org/csi/smis/siv/Forum/compilation_responsesforkeyissues.rtf ). Further ideas about this key issue follow.
Some writers have suggested that we should not use names in this forum because it might cause problems for people living in small islands where very often everyone knows everyone else. Our main reason for running this forum is to hear what you have to say about the various topics posted. While we prefer that you take ownership of your ideas, we will respect your wishes if you indicate that you want to remain anonymous when you send in your response.
On the subject of naming places and specific developments or developers, Bob Conrich of Anguilla writes that when we report on the destruction caused by certain developments, we protect them by not mentioning their names. Perhaps the most effective weapon we have is making these situations the focus of world opinion, but our failure to make use of this great power provides aid and comfort to the destroyers.
Robert Iroga from the Solomon Islands and a writer from Tuvalu both say that the economic benefit from the road is a good reason for building it, provided environmental impact assessments are done in parallel to control the negative effects of the project. Robert goes on to make the point that he hopes Palauans can maintain the road in the long-term.
Carol Emaurois from Palau is not so sure. Development at all levels in a small island is a constant worry and concern to the island’s people. This is largely due to the fact that the legal framework is not in place to deal with issues arising from large projects. We simply do not have enough experienced manpower to oversee the Compact Road Project. During a visit to Ngchesar State (Palau), we heard a lot of worries about the direct effect the road is having on their coastal waters. The seagrass beds where they fish their favourite fish – rabbitfish - are thick with sediments so either they cannot see the fish or the fish cannot live within the area anymore.
The Ngchesar people feel a sense of hopelessness. They are asking serious questions - Should we just wait until the road is completed? What will happen to our fishing grounds when the road is finished? Will the coastal waters be able to bounce back after the road project is completed? Who will be responsible for the damage brought on by the road construction to the resources that we have depended on for so many generations? They do not want canned sardines or tuna to replace their fresh fish.
What is it that we are looking for? I believe Palauan people are very rich, not in terms of money, but the wealth of our marine resources. We dream of keeping them in the same condition for our children.
But I feel threatened by people with money ... who assume they have every right to go anywhere they wish for their development. When they come to Palau they come with their values - making money without any considerations for the local culture, social structure, or the island’s precious resources. When the coastal resources have been exploited they move on to the next pristine area.
Are all the people in the world who care about this earth going to stand by and let the rich and famous degrade this earth for their pleasures? We should no longer feel comfortable just to share our concerns and worries but we must globally do something!!!!
Santy Asanuma, a mackerel salesman, writes that he can tell by just looking at the ocean when flying into Palau after rainfall, and it does not require a college degree, that the road is a major contributor to the current pollution and degradation of our marine environment. It is a shame when people in positions of authority turn a blind eye on a problem like this because regular people will likely not rise to meet the challenge. Mind you, I am not arguing about the need of the road. How it is done is the problem. Remember, money is to be made by those who are constructing this road.
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