Bahamian Observer

Forget the Elizabeth by-election, “FIX THE CITY DUMP”.

Dear Sir, please allow me space to express a very serious observation that only sheds light on the priorities of those who govern our country.

As the by- election saga  in Elizabeth constituency rages on and a probable future court action looms, every radio talk show and media house enthusiastically continue their coverage on every aspect of the by-election in Elizabeth Estates.  As the torch burns and the crabs walk, the Nassau city dump burns releasing fumes that contain very dangerous chemicals, surrounding neighborhoods. The fire at the dump is symbolic of the many “fires” that burn unattended in the Bahamas.

Subdivisions such as Jubilee Gardens and many other areas continue inhale extremely poisonous chemicals like dioxins and mercury receive their daily dose of smoke filled poison, the inside of many homes smell as if a garbage can was lit inside their living rooms. In Bahamian history, I have studied two instances when the Bahamas as a nation stood up to foreigners trying to dispose of, or offload their garbage either in our waters or in our lands. In August of the 1970 the U.S.Army had planned to dump 3000 tons of highly lethal nerve gas deep in the Atlantic off the Coast of Florida. The dumping was to start on August 10^th, 1970 164 miles northeast off the Bahamian islands but was met with serious protest from the people of the Bahamas. The other major garbage protest took place in 1986 when the Khian Sea, an ocean-going barge containing seven tons of ash from incinerated household garbage, sailed from Philadelphia to dispose of the ash in an overseas landfill in the Bahamas.  Sixteen years later, the Khian Sea has returned to Philadelphia-with its original load of ash. Over the last 16 years the Khian Sea has sailed around the world, trying to find a country-any country-that would accept the ash for disposal. The Khian Sea originally had a contract with the Bahamas to accept the ash, but en route the Bahamian government under pressure and protest from the people of the Bahamas changed its mind and reneged. It’s now time for the people of the Bahamas to protest the continued poisoning of many of our citizens in Nassau by allowing the improper methods used in the daily disposal of our garbage. In a developed city a dump site should not be in the middle of residential and commercial properties. What is the plan to deal with this situation? Yet, the by-election in Elizabeth takes priority in the media and has consumed the attention of all our politicians in government and opposition.  Who is managing the fires that threaten the environment and health of Bahamians?

As the Nassau city dump burns the poisonous crime situation engulfs the Bahamas – home invasions and day light robberies have become common as the cold. Serious crime continues to rise just like the plumes of smoke from the dump that finds its way in many homes. Even as Commissioner Greenslade came out with many new initiatives, the by-election in Elizabeth Estates takes priority in the media. Who is managing the ferocious flames of crime that is raging through Bahamian society?

As the Nassau city dump smoulders, our economy is similarly the victim of repressed flames conflagration and apparently is not being given the proper attention required by those in government to save and restore it.  Our governments have allowed our Financial Services industry to struggle and fade away instead of putting in proactive measures that strengthen our country even in the face of the United States and O.E.C.D. led initiatives to close such jurisdictions.  As they continue their strategy and create new laws every time we adjust our laws  to their requirements, they once again  “move the goal post back” on us.  We must unconditionally take bold steps to save this industry as they have taken bold steps to destroy our Financial Services Industry in our face, we in the Bahamas cannot lose our Financial Services Industry as it has been one of our main industries and job providers, yet we have allowed ourselves to be dictated to as our economy hinges on the foreign financial markets and other economies but, the by-election in Elizabeth Estates takes priority in the media. Who is containing the flames that are retarding the recovery, growth and development of the economy of Bahamas?

As the Nassau city dump burns – symbolic of all the threats that pervade every facet of life in the Bahamas, we must move away from the political short term “quick vote” job getter which all governments have been guilty of, to long term real job solutions for the thousands that graduate high school or return from college every year. A long term productive job of substance that positively affects and enhances the dignity and self esteem of every individual is the only answer. This will aid in eliminating the anti social behavior that result in the escalation of crime and the present state of social degradation.

I pray that our leaders’ response to the fire at the dump is not indicative of our leaders focus on the priorities that face our nation. We have what I consider a national crisis because someone from every island in the Bahamas lives on the island of New Providence. What an opportune time for criminals to increase their activities or illegal immigrants of all backgrounds to invade, as the dump slowly burns and our politicians distract the entire Bahamas and focus only on “Lizzy”.

 

Anthony U Bostwick

A “Clown” Meeting- Building Now For the Future Bahamas.

On the evening of August 6th, 2009 with great appreciation and anticipation I respectfully attended the Government of The Bahamas Town Meeting to address the following:

 

Part 1: Nassau Harbour Port Improvement Project & New Providence Road Improvement Project.

Part 2: Container Port Relocation/ EIA Impacts /Mitigation.

Part 3: New Providence Downtown Redevelopment Project. 

 

It was evident from the onset that the town meeting was poorly planned and poorly executed.

Many of the presentations were totally irrelevant to the sentiments being expressed in the local media and daily Bahamian dialogue and discussions. 

The size of the room was very inappropriate and it only infuriated the already skeptic audience who were barely able to squeeze themselves into the little “hot” room. Was it intentional, poor planning, or a tactical blunder?  In any event, it gave the impression that it was purposely done that way to limit the public’s attendance and participation.

Based on observation, and listening to many commenting in the ebullient audience, it appears as if the seats were filled early with government officials, their supporters, media personnel, and numerous presenters with no support to the main critical contentious issue that the public came seeking information on principally Part 2. The Container Port Relocation. 

It was also observed by those attending the meeting that to ensure the time was meticulously exhausted and very limited, some of the irrelevant presenters were discombobulated by the heckling as they muddled over their presentations on issues that the public already have accepted and appreciated, that would be Part 3 and some of Part 2. 

It is not the Nassau Harbour Port Improvement Project that the public has an issue with, Bahamians know that this dredging must be done as it is required for this country not only to compete, but also to protect our cruise ship superiority and keep in sync with the changes in the industry. No disrespect intended but The Minister of Tourism and the present Director General of Tourism and Aviation along with a few others should not have been on this program, but at a separate Town Meeting for themselves. Their valuable expensive time which the Bahamian people pay them extremely well for, could have been spent on more productive matters like ensuring all of the Bahamian people money that is being spent on Ms. Universe Pageant, bring back some return as a future investment for the country as well as getting more tourist back into this country, a job which they have mastered in selling to the politicians but not to the tourist.

Unfortunately, they did nothing but “window dressed” their presentation and “killed precious time” off the clock in order to divert attention from the real purpose which the majority of the Bahamian people came to the so called “Town Meeting” for. The Director of BEST, who knows better and is well aware that the Bahamian people know that it takes longer than Five to Ten minutes to present an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) especially one that appears to have a subterfuge motive and is under so much public scrutiny.

Having some degree of understanding in Project planning, Appraisal, and Management it is and remains in my humble opinion that the presentation of Part 2: Container Port Relocation/ EIA Impacts /Mitigation should have been the only item on this Town meeting’s agenda. 

One such project model, developed by Goodman and Love (1979) called The Integrated Project Planning and Management Cycle illustrated that a model has four distinct phases and showed feedback flows of information and authority, and policy connections. The introduction of feedback was a very important contribution because it introduced the idea that the process of project planning could go backward (to redesign the project if necessary) as well as forward. But at this stage of this project which equates to Project Implementation (Project Cycle- Baum 1970) it is truly criminal to come to the public at this stage now that the people resistance accelerated due to lack of information and present a story created through an EIA when mobilization is already completed, and project execution is in progress. 

Any sensible thinking Bahamian can only conclude that they were not considered a Stakeholder in this venture. If the Bahamian people were given any respectable consideration and had the opportunity to address many concerns in the public forum, this project would have been met with far less resistance and a lot of questions would have been appropriately addressed.

An initial Stakeholder Analysis, Problem Tree Analysis or a Logical Framework would have aided in guiding the initiators of this project to include one of the most important components, the Stakeholders who is the Bahamian public and not the identified chosen few.

The activist have right to demonstrate and voice their concerns even though there are preferred ways to remain respectful while accomplishing your purpose without politicizing the issue. The Government has already showed its hand and the project is moving forward.

The voices of the many Bahamians are not being respected, and our questions are not being addressed as  it appears to be a political agenda with a crafty motive, and one of appeasement or payback rather than substantive dialogue to reveal the truth and do what is in the best interest of all and not just a few. Unfortunately and sad to say it appears that we cannot leave politics out of anything in this country because our Politicians seem to become “the experts” once elected and ignore the real experts that tell them where development should take place, and how to proceed to mitigate any negative impacts.

The only thing that can change the direction of the Container Port Relocation and some parts of the New Providence Road Improvement Project that totally disrespected some of our citizens is the people of the Bahamas. We do not need anymore “Clown” meetings, lame duck speeches, waffling politicians both in Government and Opposition.

If the Government can proceed with these projects in such a manner, it is then evidently clear that the Jitneys can be moved immediately off Bay Street, the Straw Market should be finish, the educational system in our country could be improved, medicine should be in the hospital, and every street light should be working.

If the people of the Bahamas don’t want these projects, many shining human examples exist from around the world that stopped major projects for the satisfaction of a few , just take one example and any sensible Bahamian would know exactly what to do!

 

Anthony U Bostwick