Former Bahamas National Trust (BNT) councilor, Professor Samuel Gruber denied yesterday that he is a behind a potential boycott of the Hilton’s Bimini Bay project.
Seeking to set the record straight on the allegation, Professor Gruber sent an e-mail to The Bahama Journal indicating that none of the NGOs that came out strongly against the development did so at his urging.
Dr. Gruber’s response came only a day after The Bahama Journal learned that the local environment group – Earthcare – is in talks with international partners about a potential boycott of Hilton Hotels in an attempt to apply more pressure on the Bimini Bay Resort and Casino, which has long been accused of environmental infractions.
When contacted on the issue, president of the Family Island project, Rafael Reyes explained that Global Response – one of the international groups that has agreed to support the plan should it move forward – is simply one of many environmental organisations that act as part of the campaign created by Professor Grubber to protect his “business interests” on the tiny island.
According to Mr. Reyes, Mr. Grubber has a shark study research, which primarily takes place in the Bimini Bay area.
Professor Gruber has been studying the island’s ecosystems since the early 1980s.
But Professor Gruber maintains that Mr. Reyes’ claims that he created and is behind the protest and movement against the Bimini Bay project is incorrect.
He explained that his active conservation interests ended with his resignation as Trust Councilor from the BNT after 16 years of service.
Professor Gruber explained that this was done in protest to the destruction of the wetlands by RAV Bahamas Ltd, a subsidiary of the Capo Group.
According to Professor Gruber, in his resignation letter it was pointed out that it was his last act in defense of the Bimini ecosystem and that he would not be involved in “any further discussion of the Bimini Bay project other than providing neutral scientific data to anyone requesting it.”
As far as the professor sees it, perhaps he should take Mr. Reyes’ comments as a compliment “to think that he had such a strong influence in the international conservation community.”
Professor Gruber has found support in his camp.
Vouching for Professor Gruber’s credibility, Mr. Stafford-Deitsch said he has known the professor for many years and that he is an outstanding scientist with an outstanding international reputation.
“When he was involved in trying to protect Bimini, he was simply trying to protect its environment, precisely what is now being bulldozed, dredged and obliterated by the Capo Group,” he said.
“So, it is sickly humorous that Mr. Reyes should it say is Professor Gruber’s business interests are at stake when it is the environment the Capo Group is destroying.”
However, Mr. Stafford-Deitsch made it quite clear that while Professor Gruber did not ask him to take on the task of fighting for Bimini, the professor has provided him with detailed information about the Bimini Bay project – as have numerous others both on the island and off.
Mr. Stafford-Deitsch claims he has amassed a file from several sources showing how residents of Bimini have been systematically manipulated, misled and misinformed by both the Capo Group and the government.
“Hilton Group has declined even to acknowledge the suggestion just as it has declined even to acknowledge the significantly increased risk from hurricanes that the development will present to the people of North Bimini,” said Mr. Stafford-Deitsch.
Undersecretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, David Davis was in a Cabinet meeting when contacted by The Bahama Journal yesterday.
The Bahama Journal was unable to reach the Hilton Group PLC due to the time difference in the United Kingdom.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
