Damage to cultural heritage by road contractors, location Lower Town near the Slave Path St. Eustatius. Photo copyright and credits: Kenneth Cuvalay.
ST. EUSTATIUS--The battle between the preservation of St. Eustatius’ cultural heritage and new infrastructure projects continues, despite the efforts of the heritage inspector, who must defend the island’s historic sites on his own. The ongoing infrastructure development projects on St. Eustatius have resulted in the degradation of significant heritage sites, sparking concerns regarding the conservation of the island’s cultural and historical legacy. Poor planning practices prioritising efficiency and cost savings over cultural preservation, contribute to the deterioration of the sites, according to the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance.
Kenneth Cuvalay, president of the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance, calls for equal treatment in heritage legislation within the Dutch Kingdom: “In the European part of the Kingdom you can file a complaint with the Heritage Inspectorate, who has the legal authority to halt these violations. The Heritage Inspectorate has no authority on St. Eustatius and that must change.” Cuvalay, therefore, calls for a change in the law.
Affected sites that got damaged
Of particular concern is the current ongoing Oranje Bay Road project, which has also resulted in the degradation of heritage sites, with instances of illegal dumping of cement observed at these locations by the responsible contractor. This worrisome trend of continued unlawful disposal of excess cement not only contravenes legal regulations but also violates the Malta Convention treaty, an internationally recognised agreement ratified by the Netherlands and integrated into the so-called called “Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsprogramma Caribisch Nederland” (ROCN) – a policy aiming to maintain the islands' liveability in the future – that the local government approved themselves.
Construction companies ignoring heritage rules
Since the controversial Golden Rock excavations in 2021, the St. Eustatius government has agreed to work according to ROCN. According to the ROCN, whenever a piece of ground is disturbed, it has to be done without damaging natural and cultural values. When archaeological objects are in danger of being damaged, the one who does the damage is responsible for taking care of that archaeological heritage.
Companies with head offices in the Netherlands, like Statia Roads & Construction, but also “Rijkswaterstaat” (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), accustomed to these regulations, appear to believe they can disregard the laws and heritage on St. Eustatius, states the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance. Continued prioritisation of infrastructure development over cultural preservation jeopardises the very essence of the islands. Local contractors generally follow the instructions of the heritage inspector to prevent damage.
Inadequate infrastructure planning
Recent infrastructure development projects have raised concerns regarding inadequate engineering planning for the island’s invaluable historical sites. Poor planning practices contribute to the deterioration of these sites, which not only embody the island’s past but also
hold potential for boosting tourism. The rigidity of infrastructure plans without room for adjustments often results in irreversible damage.
This approach, prioritising efficiency and cost savings over cultural preservation, neglects the fundamental infrastructure needs that have been addressed over the past decades. In light of the ROCN, illegal practices take place within the departments involved, as construction contracts frequently lack clauses aimed at safeguarding heritage sites.
Without a shift in focus, if the departments involved with infrastructure and the associated companies continue working the way they do, the so-called Historic Gem of the Caribbean will soon be a concrete blob with no history left, the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance concludes.
