Battle lines are drawn at meeting:
By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter -
Nassau, Bahamas:



The battle lines were drawn Thursday night at a town meeting on the proposed New South Ocean development.

The resort development is expected to pump millions of dollars into the local economy and provide more than 2,000 jobs.

Bahamians packed the St. Paul's Parish Hall in Lyford Cay on Thursday night – for the second time in as many days — to voice their concerns to project developers and government officials. Environmental issues, employment opportunities for Bahamians and entrepreneurs, and beach access topped the list of concerns.

Minister of Works Earl Deveaux, who hosted the meeting along with South Ocean managing director Roger Stein, faced a tough audience.

One resident said Stein's responses to questions regarding how the development would affect the environment were unacceptable. Stein referred several persons to the project's web site, which he said could possibly provide residents with a better answer to their questions.

"He should have brought in the persons who could answer the questions," the resident said referring to Stein. "Because right now I'm sure that there are many people who agree with me that it's not enough."

However, according to Deveaux, senior government officials will make sure that all concerns are addressed in the best interest of The Bahamas.

"They are the custodians of our national prosperity. They are the ones who safeguard the things that you feel so strongly about. The developer presents to the government a proposal for an investment, and the government approves it in principle based on sustainability, national policy and existing laws. The officials at BEC (Bahamas Electricity Corporation), Water and Sewerage, BEST (Bahamas Environment Science and Technology) Commission, housing, lands and surveys, make determinations on your behalf and on the government's behalf as to whether the proposal makes sense, is legitimate and is legal. They check them out," Deveaux explained.

The New South Ocean Development is one of two projects proposed for the southwestern New Providence. (The billion dollar Albany Golf and Beach Club has already been approved.) Once completed the South Ocean development will include a 500-room, four star hotel, a casino, 130-slip marina, 180 timeshare units, 48 fractional villa units, 73 second home lots, an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course and approximately 35,000 sq. ft of meeting space.

Leader of the Worker's Party, Rodney Moncur, one of the more vocal critics of the project, demanded that the government properly scrutinize the proposed contract.

"I want the contracts to be re-examined. I want to know where they came from. I want to make sure that the land what they propose to build on is not my poor cousin's land. I want a guarantee and I am holding you all personally responsible," he said referring to Deveaux, and the Minister of State for Public Utilities Phenton Neymour, who also attended Thursday night's town meeting.

While most members of the audience shared their concerns about the project and how it would affect The Bahamas, Moncur's concerns were primarily about the developer.

"My next question is, who is Mr. Stein? Where was he born? Where does he come from? What does the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) say about him? Who is this man?" he asked.

Meanwhile, George Maillis welcomed the developers. He said he was "delighted" to have someone come in and do something with the beaches and bring some economic relief to the country.

"We need to look out for the people and jobs. We need a harbor and a marina," he said.

Another audience member implored the government to let the development go on, adding that all Bahamians would be able to benefit from the project.

Before the government gives developers of the New South Ocean project the final okay, they will to take into account the concerns of the citizens, said Deveaux, who urged those who objected to the project to file their concerns quickly, as the developers were eager to get started.

"We don't necessarily set a time frame on that but the quicker you get your comments in the better. We are a fast moving, decisive government and they are anxious to get started once they take into account the points that you have raised. We would like to have these behind us within 60 days," Deveaux said.

According to Stein, over a 20-year period South Ocean is expected to generate $1.8 billion in government revenues, $230 million in casino wins and floor taxes and $490 million in occupancy taxes.

"In addition to the financial benefits, The Bahamas will benefit from the enhanced reputation, increased tourist presence, public relations, and activity that a world class resort development brings to its host country," he said.

The development has been predicted to directly create 1,358 full-time jobs and a total of 2,042 jobs overall, supplying $1.5 billion in local wages and salaries over a 20- year period. Operations are expected to generate $3.7 billion in Gross Domestic Product.