The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

SAVE The Bays lawyer Fred Smith is urging the government to release “relevant information” on the proposed expansion of Nygard Cay so Bahamians can have a chance to respond appropriately.

In a move that Mr Smith had previously praised, the government recently announced a 21-day public consultation period on billionaire fashion mogul Peter Nygard’s applications for his proposed expansion project.  Although Mr Smith called the move a “small step towards increased transparency,” he said recently that Save The Bays cannot respond in time because “of the complete lack of details about the proposal.”

“The notice refers to various applications, yet no applications have been made available for inspection and it is not entirely clear what the nature of each application is, to whom it has been made and under what statutory regime,” Mr Smith said in a letter recently sent to several government officials, including Prime Minister Perry Christie and Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

Mr Smith asked that the relevant documents be released by tomorrow “failing which and in any event, our client reserves all of its rights.”

Mr Smith also asked the government to confirm that no decision will be made on any application made in relation to Nygard Cay or the surrounding seabed without his client being given copies of all relevant documents and having adequate time to construct a meaningful response.

The government’s public consultation period on Mr Nygard’s proposed plans is expected to end on July 9.