The issue will be debated before Parliament today.
At a press conference held at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Meadow Street, President of the Coalition to Save Clifton Senator Rev. C.B. Moss said that although the Progressive Liberal Party Government supported the organization in its fight to save the historic site, there was a lack of consultation before designing the logistics of the Bill.
He said that the Coalition tried on many occasions to meet with the Government but to no avail.
“This was particularly disconcerting in view of the fact that the Coalition was the first to sound the alarm about the dangers of the Clifton Cay Development, and the Coalition led the fight to save this valuable site for the Bahamian people,” Rev. Moss said.
“In addition to the lack of consultation, the Coalition is also disappointed that the proposed Bill was not widely circulated, and that a longer period of time was not allowed for the public discussion and digestion of the Bill and for public feedback prior to the House debate,” he said.
However, he said that it was the Progressive Liberal Party’s support that “drove the final nail in the coffin of the proposed gated community.”
Rev. Moss continued that it was the PLP who fulfilled their promise to the Bahamian people to also ensure that the Clifton Site be transformed into a national park as was proposed by the Coalition.
While the Coalition is satisfied that the spirit of the Bill is adequate to achieve the objectives put forth for the property’s preservation, there are other details that should have been enshrined in the legislation he said.
The proposed Bill covers the 204.41 acres currently owned by the Government he explained, however, the total Clifton property comprises over 600 acres and valuable artifacts may be located on more than the 204 acres he said.
“While the Authority would have power to acquire additional land if necessary, the Coalition would recommend that the legislation authorize the preservation of all land at the site containing items of environmental cultural and historical value,” said Rev. Moss.
Further, he said, a water park should be created in order to protect and preserve the offshore reef system, which should enhance the aesthetic ambiance of the land park.
He also noted that several additional offences should be included in Clause 23 of the Bill, to include penalties for dumping, littering and pollution of the land or sea.
“While the fight to save Clifton is over, the battle to transform it into what the Bahamian people want still goes on. The Coalition wishes to restate its position that no development, not even the park, should commence until a complete and thorough archaeological study of the entire site has been completed,” Rev. Moss said.
Freddie Munnings Jr. a member of the Coalition said that the Government has the responsibility to “preserve and reserve” the remaining acreage for what is in the best interest of the Bahamian people.
” The Government has the authority to determine what happens out there and to protect it. No matter who decides to do something with it. That is what we are saying,” he said.
Rev. Moss interjected, ” We are not fanatics and we understand that there are competing interests and that there are competing interests in our country that must be taken into consideration. We are saying, what is on that site and then together as a people, let us determine how much of it can safely be developed and what kind of development should take place. But certainly, we will not compromise on the question of what will be preserved; and that will be all areas that contain anything of value to the Bahamian people.”
He said that the Government is under no obligation to meet with the Coalition but they are disappointed that it is the one group which was not only in the vanguard, but the Government could have benefited from the information that they have accumulated about Clifton during their five year fight to save it.
Rev. Moss said however, that it will not recommend that the Government wait to soothe their wounds before moving ahead with the proposed Bill.
“We feel that the people should become more accelerated in their efforts. That is why we have the Bill on our website,” he said.
Adding that the Coalition has launched its website cliftonbahamas.com, which provides a history of Clifton Cay and will contain updated information on the national park.
The website will also assist in the solicitation of local and international financial support for the ongoing development of the project.
The website will also be used to disseminate information on the proposed legislation. Visitors to the site would also have the opportunity to review the Bill and pose questions and suggestions directly to their member of parliament.
” We will not recommend that the Government slow down their plan,” said Rev. Moss. ” We feel that the formal acquisition of that site and the creation of this Heritage Authority is so important for the ultimate securing objective that we should proceed. We still stand ready to assist the Government in any way.”
By Vanessa Campbell-Rolle, The Nassau Guardian
