The “selfish and unjustified opposition of a minority should never stand in the way of progress, according to Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Raynard Rigby, who has issued a statement on the persistent, strong opposition to the Passerine development set for Guana Cay, off Abaco.
“Notwithstanding that the Government has already said that it is not going to force development where it is not wanted, Mr. Rigby said.
Mr. Rigby was referring to the opposition being mounted by some residents of Guana Cay, who fear the $400 million development would have drastic ecological consequences, even though government officials continue to insist that all environmental concerns have been properly addressed.
The PLP Chairman also responded to a recent assertion made by Fred Smith, attorney for Guana Cay residents opposing the project, who suggested recently that Prime Minister Perry Christie was misleading Bahamians as it relates to the heads of agreement and the process for reaching conclusion negotiations.
Mr. Rigby said, “No one in his right frame of mind could have arrived at the conclusion that the prime minister has not spoken the truth on the Guana Cay heads of agreement and the process that led to it.ﾠ It must have been a moment of weakness in Mr. Smith’s mind for him to rush to such an irresponsible and reckless judgment.
He added, “These are not matters for brazen and silly commentary.ﾠ Reasoned and well-balanced minds must prevail.It is an irrefutable fact that the prime minister consulted with the opposition members of Abaco to discuss the proposed development prior to the execution of the heads of agreement.
“Further, it is also a known fact that the prime minister also met privately with residents of Guana Cay to discuss the view of those opposed to the development. What more could they have been expected?
On Friday, Mr. Smith continued to insist that the development would be bad news for Guana Cay.
“The people of Guana Cay already have a bright future, he said while on the Love 97 programme “Issues of the Day on Friday.”They don’t need a mega development to continue the path of growth they already have.
“And so what benefits are going to accrue to the residents? Certainly, it’s not use of a golf course because the heads of agreement prohibits residents from using the golf course. Certainly, it’s not the Government of The Bahamas earning customs duties because the agreement exempts the developers from paying customs duties.
Mr. Smith has continued to say that residents were not adequately consulted before the heads of agreement was signed.
It’s also a claim that has been made by South Abaco MP Robert Sweeting.
But Prime Minister Christie blasted him on his comments in the House of Assembly last Wednesday night, saying that they were inaccurate.
“The sovereign Government of The Bahamas by its prime minister acting made a determination that this member meet with the developers and give them his views to which he did and to which they responded. I facilitated that specific meeting and understanding arrived at with this member. Now when the pressure comes down on him, he runs for cover. We need leadership now, man. We need leadership in this country, Mr. Christie said.
Residents of Guana Cay are pushing for a scaled down development and are rejecting plans for a golf course on the tiny island.
With respect to the potential impact of the golf course and marina on reef systems and marine life surrounding the cay, Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson said an environmental consultant has determined that coastal buffers would be able to minimize any impact.
The heads of agreement states that the developers undertake to maintain and preserve the environmental and ecological integrity of the development in accordance with the conditions and obligations stipulated by The Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST).
The developer has also made every effort to fill all jobs with Bahamian citizens.
From: The Bahama Journal
