All members of the public who object to the further expansion of Nygard Cay and the lease of illegally claimed land to its owner, Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, should make their concerns known to both government and the media as soon as possible, outspoken attorney Fred Smith, QC, has urged.
Congratulating the Christie administration for holding a 21-day consultation on Nygard’s proposals, Smith said Bahamians must now stand together to prevent years of illegal activity from being retroactively approved.
“For decades, Nygard Cay has been recklessly developed without the proper approvals and permits. Successive governments have allowed the property to grow to double its original size by claiming land from the seabed, which is supposed to be the property and patrimony of the Bahamian people,” he said.
“Even worse, it has also blocked the natural flow of sand to Jaws Beach, causing one of the only public beaches left in New Providence to all but disappear.
“Every Bahamian should be opposed to this affront, one of the most blatant examples of the cancer called unregulated development which is eating away at the rights of ordinary Bahamians and relegating them to the status of second class citizens in their own country.”
Smith, legal director for Save The Bays – the fast-growing social justice and environmental advocacy group which has pioneered the fight against unregulated development throughout the country – warned that time is of the essence, as the consultation period will end on July 8. He urged Bahamians to take a stand now.
“Thanks to efforts of each and every member of Save The Bays, the government finally understands that the days of secret deals are over. They know we are willing to fight, all the way to the Privy Council and back, to prevent the backdoor negotiations with developers which so often lead to projects that degrade the environment and destroy the traditions, society and culture of communities throughout The Bahamas,” he said.
“Now is the time for every Bahamian concerned about preserving the unparalleled beauty and unique identity of this country to join us. We are calling on them to speak out, to object to what is happening at Nygard Cay, not just by writing to or calling the government, but also by writing letters to the editor and calling into the radio stations. We want this consultation to take place in the sunshine.”
Smith said the public and local media must also act as watchdogs to ensure the consultation is carried out openly, methodically and according to law.
“It cannot be allowed to descend into the kind of chaos and confusion that defined so many poor excuses for public consultation in the past,” he said. “This time, nothing should be held from public scrutiny, the process should be handled by the individuals legally appointed to do so and at the end of the day, clear reasons should be given for whatever decision is made.”
Comments, opinions or concerns about the proposed redevelopment of Nygard Cay and the leasing of land accreted from the seabed should be forwarded to the director of physical planning, P.O. Box N-1611, Nassau, Bahamas or faxed to 242-328-3206. You can also make your objections known by calling 242-322-7550/2 or 328-3202.
