Rick Lowe
My old friend Mr. Pierre Dupuch raised some interesting questions in his recent letter to the Editor, posted here…
While I think the country needs the short term economic impact the project will bring, I wonder if it can sustain itself in the long term.
Will they be going after the same tourist market that Atlantis is currently tapping?
Will they be able to attract tourists from Europe and other parts of the world on a consistent basis?
The central question Mr. Dupuch raises, if I understand him correctly is, If the project fails, will the land remain in Bahamian hands (Crown Land) or will it belong to the Chinese?
This is a valid question and suggests to me that we should be looking for an alternative to Crown Land to solve this issue going forward.
The Abaco Independence Movement (AIM) had suggested turning all Crown Land into a Land Trust, where each Abaconian would be legitimate shareholders – not some make believe process like "owning" Crown Land – where income from any Land Trust property leased would accrue directly to Abaconians.
Is this a legitimate alternative to the present political gifting process?
What amazes me however is, when the former administration (PLP) approved the Heads of Agreement for this project in the first place nary a peep was heard.
Now they are rumoured to be opposed to the BahaMar land grant, work permits, and more? Now maybe they didn't know about the possible Chinese involvement at that time, but what they are doing seems eerily familiar.
This is not unlike the Constitutional Amendment process where they allegedly agreed to the changes and when the politics suited them, they did not have the courage of their convictions to continue to support the amendments.
Is the same thing happening here?
In addition, I have not seen any constructive suggestions or alternative ideas from the political culture either.
It's funny, when you visit a politician of any political stripe with a problem, they ask you to bring solutions to the table. When they take issue with something, they seldom see the need to do the same.
It's easier to create mischief rather than be honest with the electorate if you will.
Is there any wonder we distrust the political class?
Solution?
How can the problem itself create a solution?
As for bringing it to the table, they do not approach the table where Bahamians are concerned, only foreigners. (note, I am not foreign phobic, but I am envious)
and we see what arrives from that table all too quickly!
They really do treat us with what I can only describe as contempt, which is unfortunate for all of us.
It is a perplexing quandry they place themselves into, and us with, and it bothers me that they are dealing with our assets at the table in a russian roulette fashion.
I see no change to this behaviour either.
Let’s for a few moments look at two situations in Abaco. The developer of Winding Bay got 125 acres of CROWN LAND and I am given to understand the deal was The Bahamian Government (The People) were going to get a percentage when this land was sold. Low and behold the golf course was built on this land, it will never be sold, threfore we the PEOPLE will get nothing. The land which has been sold and yet to sell is private land which was purchased by the developer. Even more disturbing is the original developer sold his stake for three hundred million and has left Abaco probably to do the same some place else.
Bakers Bay bought private land but the concessions both developers have from Government (PLP at the time)is that they do not pay duty on anything.
Some of you may know of the unfortunate fires that have happened in food stores in Abaco in recent years. On my recent visit to Marsh Harbour I had occasion to visit Maxwells new supermarket. What a tribute to the owner Mr. Chad Sawyer. It is a fabulous store. I am given to understand that he got NO concessions from Government in building this store. My question is, “Why can the foreigner come to our shores and get all these concessions and there is no consideration for the Bahamian businessman?” If Mr. Sawyer or any other Bahamian makes a profit the money stays here and is re-invested to further benefit Bahamians.
Further investigation reveals that the new National Insurance funded government complex benefits little to the local Abaco community, even to the point of a foreign owned shipping company trucking supplies to the site while local truckers are struggling. Similar to what is happening in Freeport.
Will the local Abaco contractors be affored the opportunity to bid on the new airport terminal proposed for Marsh Harbour Airport as well as other jobs?
Local builders in Abaco have had to lay off workers while foreign contractors are brought in to do some building in resorts. Abaconians are very upset with their two M.P’s over this.
Another question that comes to my mind is should the government be grating concessions at all?
If it is felt the country needs to do this to compete, then is something wrong with our system to make us have to do this?
Why are concessions and other “BENEFITS” I call it largesse, whether it is crown land to an investor or student loans that are allegedly never repaid very few people benefit, not Bahamians in general.
I have no problem with certain concessions e.g. hotels where they create jobs. The down side of this is when the Bahamian tax payer (not foreigners for they contribute little to our taxes) have to pay for infrastructure and up grades of BEC, BTC, Water & Sewerage airports and the like to accomodate the demand of these services we get nothing in return.
Will the Bahamian voter ever realize what they are having to do?
Some times when I am reading the comments here I often think the writers are “Preaching to the Chior.” The real need it to get the word out to the (sinners) the Bahamian voter.
My point though GQ is if you have to “give” incentives, something is wrong.
Is it because our workers are corrupt that it’s difficult to make money?
Is it because of our political culture wanting to “control” things?
If private sector investment is good, why all the BS that seesm to prevent it, then we have to turn around and “incentivise” people to invest???
What am I missing.
Actually you will note I disagree with posts on occasion, I think people have far too much faith in the political class to do things.
Bahamian voters have been fed a similar line the American Indians were when the US Army would promise the chiefs, “The great white father in Washington is going to take care of you.” The Bahamian politicans want to “Think” for you as well.
Saw a bumper sticker recently which compared politicans and dirty diapers. It ended with a line about them needing to be changed often.