by Jerome Pinder
First, let me begin by noting the support and respect that I have held for Minister Deveaux over the years. In my opinion, he is one of the best Cabinet Ministers in the current administration. Unfortunately, he is not judged against many top performers, given the current make-up of Cabinet, however, I find him to be a hard working and dedicated individual. Time will be the ultimate judge of whether my opinion is correct.
Secondly, let me deal with the now famous helicopter ride. I could care less if this helicopter flew the Minister back and forth to work each day, as long as the taxpayer is not footing the bill. Further, for now, I do not think that a helicopter ride can influence the Minister's ability to make a profound decision on behalf of the People of this Country. I would like however to put some other Cabinet Ministers on that helicopter, fly them to Bell Island and leave them there.
Thirdly, I do believe that Minister Deveaux made a bad judgement call in using the helicopter ride for him and his family to travel to Abaco, which had nothing to do with the Bell Island project. It should have been clear that this would create a political firestorm and the Minister should have taken a Charter. However, to me this is not the larger issue and I don't feel that he should be sacked for it. The future has yet to reveal whether the Minister should be sacked!
Now to the larger issue and that is Bell Island in the Exuma Land and Sea Park, truly one of a kind. Let us consider a few questions:
– Who is Aga Khan IV? He claims to be a descendant of the Profit Muhammed and the 49th and current imam of the Sia Imani Nizari Ismailis. Are we serious about allowing such a person to develop an island within one of the most beautiful land and sea parks this country has to offer?
– Do we really need a billionaire Islamic leader in this Country? How far will we sell ourselves for the almighty dollar?
– What are the long term benefits of allowing this develop? A few jobs made available, to allow someone to rip up our National Park to accommodate a yacht.
– Is this Park really one of the oldest marine parks in the World that provides a sanctuary to bird and marine life? If so, an idiot could say no to its development without even needing an environmental impact assessment.
– According to The Tribune (14/Sept/2010), when copies of documents between the Ministry of The Environment and BNT were requested, and I quote, "the file was taken away and made the subject of a meeting." Why? Perhaps the Minister could tell us.
– Why has BNT gone quiet on the issue and now claim it is too political? It is just as well they remain quiet now, as any comments will be overshadowed by the allegation that they received a $1 Million dollar donation!
– Why not devote the time wasted on this project, on time spent facing the challenges of our land fill? We can help the environment, save money, create jobs, and create energy with this one!
Mr. Deveaux, as a Citizen of this Country, I humbly request that you and your Cabinet Colleagues decline this project. We have given away much in this Country. I certainly understand that there are developments that are necessary for our economic development, but please don't destroy the Exuma Park. And don't destroy it for someone that we know nothing about. Think about the long term effects and the future of the Bahamas.
And no, this is not an unbridled, knee jerk reaction! It is the opinion of a Bahamian who loves the Bahamas.
The jury is still out on Minister Deveaux and his Cabinet Colleagues. I trust that they will make the right decision, so that history will judge them favorably.
I do agree Jerome, we do not need any Islamic people here at all, please.The government should decline this project, just on the basis that he is an Islamic.This is getting out of hand,next thing you know we will have to many of these Islamic idiologs here.Who was mohamed anyway, a man running around foaming at the mouth spouting out stuff that someone wrote down?These people have NO tolerance for anyone else, why should we have tolerance for them ?I say NO, NOT in our country please.
Hi Jerome,
How would you assess whether or not the helicopter ride influence the Minister’s decision? Will you base it on the outcome of his decision? I concur with you that his ministry needs to focus on our Landfill. I don’t understand why the operations of that department is currently the way it is.
We need not to be afraid of international investors coming here to invest, we need to campaign our government to ensure that the proper systems are in place to protect our values and heritage. For example, when a Canadian Cable company were bringing American channels onto their system, the government stipulates that 20% of the programming had to be Canadian.
There was a press release from the BNT today in the Tribune, and I think they explained their position very well.
The truth is that wealthy Foreigners do come here, and not only give money to all manner of charities, but even give of their time working for and in many civic minded ways.
To build on private property is a right of any property owner, subject to building codes etc and yes, even on a private island in a national park.
Perhaps the fault lies in the Government making no effort to have private islands returned to public ownership, if undeveloped.
This has been done in the past, if I recall correctly in the Case of Robert Ablanap,( excuse incorrect spelling if so) owner of Big Grand Cay, Walkers Cay and others, who was required to return a few other Cays that he had purchased.
This is however dangerous ground, as it,like all Government Authorities are subject to abuse, to our discredit as a country.
I can tell you from personal experience that all the Cays and Islets that I used to wander and explore as a youth cruising the Exuma Cays upon which we would find fresh water, coco plums, and all manner of treasures are now largely off limits as private.
I have even had jet ski security personel “escort” us past certain cays, through navigable channels, to make sure we do not linger but without any authority whatsoever to do so.
I have been told that bays and beaches are private,
Which always elicits the gentle reminder of our laws concerning the high water mark. so perhaps part of the fault lays with the realtors or government “facilitators” who mis-inform the wealthy to clinch the sale.
TO own as far as the eye can see is a marvelous thought, luckily confined to the imagination.
In any case, remember the BNT is not Government, and the Government is not the BNT.
It has been fortunate thus far to remain so.
Private property is/should be sacrosanct.
While I understand that many Muslims might have double standards where rights are concerned, do we wish to set a policy that says one group cannot buy property while another can?
It might interest you Chris that the Abaco Independence Movement had suggested a Land Trust – no Crown Land. Each Abaconian would own shares and earn income from leases on the property.
Totally disagree with your statement.
When we start discriminating against people because of their religion, then who’s say we can’t discriminate against people because of their race, nationality or sexual orientation. The individuals’ religion, or lack of it, should have nothing do with it.
@ Larry: The problem is, Muslims do not tolerate other religions. Yet we are to tolerate them….