Charging “victimization” on the part of the Progressive Liberal Party Government, Mr Williams said that the Customs Department had ordered him in writing to remove “his” vessels from Bahamian territorial waters, but did not specify under what authority they were acting.
He was also told that customs duties would no longer be accepted from him, there would be no duty free privileges, and he would not be given a fishing licence, the at-least-at-one-time Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation consultant said.
Insisting that his company, Netsiwill Holdings Ltd., owns the boats “free and clear,” Mr Williams said: “The Government of The Bahamas has not put in writing under what authority it is acting when it said that my boats have to leave The Bahamas. There is no authority. That was a political decision.”
However, in a brief press statement received via fax by the Guardian almost simultaneously with Mr Williams’ visit, it was noted that: “In response to press inquiries, it is released for public information that the 15 fishing boats at Morgan’s Bluff, Andros and the fish processing ship Otori at Freeport, Grand Bahama; vessels purported to be of Korean origin, are all in the possession of The Bahamas Department of Customs. The vessels may not be moved or interfered with in any way without the express permission of the Department.
All sixteen vessels are expected to leave Bahamian waters in the due course of the law after the completion of logistical arrangements for their removal from the jurisdiction of The Bahamas.”
BAIC backing
Declaring that the Government “is not above the law,” Mr Williams said, “My mortgage has been satisfied, my company is now one hundred per cent Bahamian-owned. There’s no mortgage, there’s no question, there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind. And, the minister ought to abide by the law.
To support his claims, Mr. Williams presented a copy of a letter signed by Godfrey Eneas, BAIC deputy chairman, affirming that the organization would assist Netsiwill Holdings “in entering the fishing industry.”
Furthermore, “In ‘Our Plan’ the Government enunciated that it was encouraging the expansion of the national fishing fleet and this project is consistent with that undertaking…with the fleet being stationed in North Andros,” the letter stated.
Lost opportunity?
“I am a Bahamian. My boats are owned by a Bahamian company,” Mr Williams insisted. “Where am I supposed to take my boats? Where am I supposed to do my investments? Why am I being victimized by the Christie Government?” he asked.
The Government, he charged, was losing its vision and direction, and thus “jeopardizing” what had the potential of being a “significant event” in fishing development.
He said that what was supposed to be a $2.5 million project to prepare Bahamian fishermen for the World Trade Organization in mass scale fishing has cost his company some $2 million in losses and $25,000 in paid custom duties, professional fees and other incidentals.
‘Do the right thing’
“As a Bahamian under the law, I expect the Government to be lawful, to act lawfully and do what is right in allowing the people of North Andros, West and East End, Grand Bahama and Acklins to engage in mass long scale commercial fishing where they can compete,” he said.
According to Mr Williams, Bahamian fishermen have approached him from Spanish Wells, Marsh Harbour and North Eleuthera, expressing an interest in purchasing Korean-manufactured vessels.
Not “one dollar, one square foot of Government land was used to secure my project or any guarantee was given by the Government to secure my project. It was initiated by me,” Mr Williams told the Guardian.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
