ROSEAU, Dominica (AP) – Dominica’s main opposition party is urging the government to reject Venezuela’s offer to build an oil refinery, saying it will damage the Caribbean nation’s image as a nature island.

United Workers Party leader Edison James said the government should instead seek to take control from Venezuela over the tiny nearby Isla de Aves, or Bird Island, to help lure ecotourists.

“Bird Island would bring greater economic benefit to Dominica. instead of an oil refinery,” James said Saturday, adding it would boost “the island’s nature tourism image through scuba diving and whale-watching activities”.

Venezuela has maintained ownership of the uninhabited, treeless island since 1865 and has a small outpost on it, shared by naval troops and scientists. The island is about

565 kilometres (350 miles) north of Venezuela but closer

to Dominica.

Dominica’s Foreign Minister Charles Savarin declined to comment Sunday on the opposition proposal. The island’s premier, Roosevelt Skerrit, has recognised Venezuela’s claim to Bird Island, as have the United States, France and the Dominican Republic.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Conservation Association has also urged Dominica to reject the refinery, being built as part of Venezuela’s Petrocaribe deal – under which 14 Caribbean nations benefit from preferential terms to buy oil from the South American country.