PM Says No Stopping Development In Abaco
May 5th, 2008
By Candia Dames
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham addresses the Abaco Chamber of Commerce and Abaco residents at a meeting at Faith Convention Centre, Marsh Harbour on Friday. Prime Minister Ingraham was accompanied by Ministers Tommy Turnquest and Earl Deveaux and Ministers of State Desmond Bannister and Branville McCartney. South Abaco MP Edison Key was also in attendance. (BIS Photo/Sharon Turner) While indicating that development will not stop in Abaco despite concerns some residents have about the environment, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on Friday underscored his government’s plan to approve projects that are best suited for the island and its surroundings, and restated his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
But Prime Minister Ingraham noted that there are challenges in this regard.
“The government continues to be challenged with regard to institutional capacity as well as to adequate human resources required fully to implement and monitor environment-friendly policies across the spectrum of ministries and departments,” said Mr. Ingraham, who was addressing a forum hosted by the Abaco Chamber of Commerce in South Abaco.
In this regard, partnerships with international and Bahamian environmental groups like the Bahamas National Trust, the Friends of the Environment in Abaco and The Nature Conservancy (a US-based environment and conservation NGO) are essential to the continued and future success in conserving natural resources and ensuring a future for Bahamian children, he said.
“I will note for the record that we have been better at requiring international participants in our economy to observe good environmental development practices than we have of Bahamian developers,” Mr. Ingraham said.
“Be that as it may, today, environmental sustainability has joined financial capability and economic benefit as a lynchpin requirement for the approval of development projects in The Bahamas.”
Mr. Ingraham also said, “My government is committed to the sustainable use of the environment and hence to economic and social development that permits us to achieve our goal of sustainable development.”
The prime minister told the audience a new Town Planning Act will be legislated earlier as opposed to later in this term of office as will a new Private Roads and Subdivisions Act.
He also noted that a draft marina policy is in circulation and a minimum standard manual is to be developed for the construction of golf courses.
“At two tourism developments here in Abaco – at Winding Bay near Cherokee Sound, and at Baker’s Bay in Great Guana Cay – special attention has been and continues to be given to employing environmental best standards,” Mr. Ingraham said.
At Winding Bay, the world famous Ritz-Carlton, a subsidiary of Marriott International, is now the 100 percent owner of the development and management of the Abaco Club, the prime minister said.
He added that an expanded project has been approved for the resort including the construction of some 260 additional mixed use units, single family homes, condominiums and fractional ownership units.
The resort, which is already in operation, expects to complete its expansion in 2010, he said, adding that already over 200 Bahamians are employed at the resort. This number is projected to increase to more than 400 Bahamians at the completion of the development.
“And, notwithstanding the persistent opposition by a small number of persons to the development at Baker’s Bay, I believe that the standards being observed by the developer, Passerine – including the marina and golf course – fully meet standards promoted by leading environmental protection bodies and organizations internationally,” Prime Minister Ingraham said.
Already some 125 Bahamians are employed in the management and operation of that resort and an additional 100 individuals are engaged in the continuing construction on the site, he informed.
He said interest in Abaco continues to grow among those in the international investment community as does the concern of business persons and environmentally conscious residents.
“While investment interest is encouraged, welcomed and appreciated, we are not oblivious to the concerns and apprehensions of some Bahamians over the strong interest by international investors in undertaking developments on prime land,” Mr. Ingraham said.
“Nor are we unconcerned in the face of some points of view that some of our most pristine land should not be developed period. Nor are we indifferent to concerns and fears that some land in some places is becoming at worst scarce and at best too expensive for many Bahamians.
“I am acutely aware that land remains a major issue for many Bahamians. The transfer of large tracts of Crown Land for resale for upscale residential development primarily to foreign clientele has been protested for some time now.”
The entry into formerly pristine areas by large-scale developers has been welcomed by some interested in new employment and business opportunities, but feared by others concerned about the environment or otherwise, the prime minister added.
He said new owners have been approved to purchase the renowned Walker’s Cay Resort, closed since the devastating 2005 hurricane season. They propose to refurbish and reopen the resort returning Walker’s to its previous status as one of the premier fishing destinations of the world, Mr. Ingraham added.
“Some 50 to 100 persons are expected to be engaged during the construction phase. And, we anticipate that as many as 150 persons will be engaged in its management and operation following completion of the development,” he said.
After outlining various development projects planned for Abaco, Mr. Ingraham said, “I have been disturbed by the continued destruction of hills here in Abaco, as in other parts of The Bahamas, in spite of the provisions of the Conservation of the Physical Landscape Act.
“Notwithstanding the increased demand for fill required for the construction of these approved projects, we cannot disregard the need to safeguard all aspects of our environment including our hills.”
The prime minister said his government takes seriously its role as catalyst for responsible development of the country for the benefit of all Bahamian citizens.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring access by Bahamians to prime land for residential and business purposes, and to safeguarding access to the sea for Bahamians,” he said.
“I note that the future success of our economy is very much tied to the ability of government to commit to programmes that strengthen our institutional capacity; enhance our national infrastructure; inculcate fiscal discipline, and provide for investment promotion.”