Bradley Roberts
BRADLEY Roberts yesterday accused the Free National Movement of “carpet bagging” over the controversial Rubis underground fuel leak and using Bahamians’ “pain and suffering” for political gain.
Mr Roberts, chairman of the governing PLP, argued that the FNM must be held accountable for reports of “environmental incidents” at the service station in question, which he said dates back to 1996 when the FNM was in power. He also called a public hearing on this matter.
“As the current government continues to work with the affected residents and Rubis to bring a fair and just resolution to this matter, the hapless and opportunistic carpet bagging and self-interested FNM has crawled from under a rock and behind the tall grass to see how they can best use the pain and suffering of Bahamians to secure a selfish and narrow political advantage. This is reprehensible, heartless and callous,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“I am advised there is no file in the Ministry of the Environment as proof of the steps taken by the FNM government to protect the interest of the Bahamian people while in government and (FNM Leader Dr Hubert) Minnis must speak to this if he is to appear to have a modicum of credibility as a leader.
He added: “I call for a public hearing on this matter with powers to send for people and papers as far back as 1996, at or around 2010 and again in 2012 to put the series of events in proper context so the Bahamian people can fully appreciate the timelines, the extent of the challenges at this site and for all to see exactly what the root causes were that brought us to this point.”
Mr Roberts also expressed empathy for the families “adversely impacted” by the leak, adding “all must be done by all stakeholders involved to ensure that the families affected are dealt with in a just and fair manner”.
He also thanked the government, the BEST Commission and the Department of Environmental Health for “their decisive actions, leadership and general superintendence over the past 24 months in protecting the health and wellbeing of the residents and workers in the general area of the incident.”
According to the BEST Commission, the Rubis fuel release was observed in late December 2012 by former operator Fiorente Management, and reported to Rubis on January 19, 2013.
The leak prompted nearby Cable Bahamas to relocate its main offices and file a lawsuit against the fuel provider. For years, area residents have been agitating for information on the consequences of the leak and have criticised government health officials for not launching health screenings for those affected.
A little over a week ago, the government released an independent report prepared by Black and Veach International, who found that area residents were possibly exposed to harmful chemicals.
However, the report was completed in February 2014 and the government has been accused of suppressing the document. The report found that high levels of benzene, a cancer causing compound in gasoline, was found in a test well in one Marathon home and also in air samples taken by a contractor for Cable Bahamas.
Comments
Hogfish 8 years, 11 months ago
my lord.
Now that's the pot calling kettle black. Roberts need to get slap in he mouth! What a gaddamn hypocrite.
Remember all the yellow plp boards politicising and carpet bagging the murder rates? How was that for using Bahamian pain and suffering for political gain! and what have they done? NOTHING!
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 11 months ago
What a sick, twisted person this dude is.....
jackbnimble 8 years, 11 months ago
He's the Chairman. It's his job to be sick and twisted.
TalRussell 8 years, 11 months ago
by TalRussell
EasternGate 8 years, 11 months ago
Consummate Manure Masseur
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
When asked about the late release of the report, Jerome Fitzgerald dodged the question and commented that he was "the first to CLAP when he heard the report was released". It would be instructive to see every Marathon family, in close proximity to Rubis, who had a family member die of cancer within the past five years, leading their representative Mr Fitzgerald past their loved one's graves while he continues to clap. Because as of today in the Bahamas, he has no certainty, either way, whether eating benzene laced guineps, guavas, plums, mangoes, pears or soursop or bathing in benzene laced water has killed any of those people. He has no certainty how far the contamination reached.NONE.
You are despicable. You would not let your dog bathe in that water knowing the danger. But you allowed people to walk around for one year ignorant. Is this how you handle your responsibility? Resign. Minister of Health resign. Minister of Environment resign. Brave Davis resign. Jerome Fitzgerald resign.
duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago
Yes Big Bad Brad ....................... support ALL calls for select committees to investigate these hot topic issues going back at least a decade .......................... agreed........... put up or shut up to FNM and PLP ........................ Let the public see the two political parties for what they really are .............. PHONIES, LIARS, FOOLS, & FALSE PRETENDERS
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
I'm confused as to exactly what Rubis has done in the neighbourhood. I know someone not more than 10 houses away who has said nobody has spoken to them yet. In 2012 did W&S sewerage reps just blow the horn and ask if you were on city water then drive off if you were?
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 11 months ago
So, when u looked into this you found out this problem stretched back to 1996, yet you sat on the report , you allowed the station to fly in your face and open without the proper permits. You said nothing. Thanks for clearing that up.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 11 months ago
Amazing how the PLP can just flat out lie. The leak is not 20 years old Brad. Don't be stupid. And just to be clear. The scandal is about your government sitting on a report that said residents of Marathon are in danger. Your government suppressed that report and allowed human beings to live in a dangerous environment. Your government deliberately endangered Bahamian lives.
That is the scandal you disgusting little man....
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 11 months ago
According to the PLP rumor of a spill at that station in 96 that spill was diesel. This new spill, the one discovered in late 2012 is a gasoline spill.
So Brad your lies are exposed. The leak is not a 20 year leak... And it seems the diesel leak was taken care of.
Stop trying to deflect. Your government withheld a report that showed Bahamians in danger and your government suppressed that report. Your government is guilty of deliberately endangering Bahamians....
This lie about a leak in 96 is evil. You are evil. Shame on you....
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