Government on Tuesday entered into a Heads of Agreement with Passe-rine/Bakers Bay Develop-ment Company for a major development at Guana Cay, but the residents of the Cay through their attorney Frederick Smith yesterday said they are prepared to fight to the “bitter-end” to stop the proposed project.
The Heads of Agreement gives Bakers Bay authority to begin erecting a 241 slip marina, golf- course and housing development.
Mr. Smith, a partner in the Grand Bahama based law firm of Callendars and Co., said the residents view the Heads of Agreement as a slap in the face because they have gotten no response to letters of concerns or invitations to meet with the relevant government officials to discuss the matter.
“The government, particularly the PLP has shown complete disregard to the concerns of the property owners,” said Mr. Smith. “They haven’t replied to any of their letters or to requests to meet and discuss concerns.”
The nearly 200 residents of Guana Cay, which is about 90 miles off Grand Bahama, say the development of the 500 acre project will destroy the environment, natural beauty and ambiance of the Cay.
“The dredging of the harbour will destroy the reef that is only 25 yards off shore,” said Mr. Smith. “The Hawksbill Creek Turtle will become extinct. The large mega yachts will destroy the bonefishing flats. The chemical run-off from the golf-course will poison and pollute the marine environment and reef.
“We cannot have development at all costs. We must save some of the pristine Bahamas that the government markets in all of its island hopping campaigns for future generations of Bahamians and tourists to enjoy.”
Smith said the residents will sue the government in an effort to stop the Bakers Bay development.
“We will fight to the bitter end,” he said. “No matter what it takes.”
Mr. Smith said residents also fear that a development the magnitude of Baker’s Bay will destroy the peace and tranquility that has become synonymous with Guana Cay.
“In addition to serious environmental concerns and consequences, the residents believe that there will be crime and other problems,” he said.
Mr. Smith added the government always promises to hold to the strictest environmental standards, but that never happens.
“That is a joke,” he said. “The developers make these agreements with the government, but they don’t live up to them,” he said. “Look at what happened at Stocking Cay. We cannot risk it.”
Mr. Smith said a National Land Policy needs to be developed to protect certain areas in the country from development.
He said if the government continues to agree to have developments erected any and everywhere-future generations of Bahamians will live to regret it.
Navardo Saunders, The Freeport News
March 3, 2005
