By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
SUPPORT is quickly mounting for a petition against the consideration and granting of a $2.1 billion proposal for the development of agriculture and fisheries in Andros that was pitched to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources by the government’s ambassador to China.
The petition, titled “Bahamians Against Chinese Fishing” was created last Thursday by environmentalist and ReEarth Director Sam Duncombe amid revelations that the Bahamas Embassy in China was given the nod to discuss the deal with Chinese investors.
Created with a target goal of 10,000 signatories, the request calls upon Prime Minister Christie “to cancel any and all negotiations on the proposed Chinese Fishing/Agriculture venture and to keep fishing 100 per cent for Bahamians.”
“Additionally we urge that crown lands be granted to Bahamians for farming and that the back log of applications for crown lands be assessed as a matter of priority” the petitioners further demand.
The petition had collected 3,860 supports up to press time yesterday where one of the supporters dubbed the proposal as a “scary prospect.”
“The Chinese factory ships will make the Dominicans, and local poachers alike look like fair weather amateurs . They will leave barren sea beds, and fish out pelagic stocks. Think they would travel half way around the world, at great expense if they had any fish left in their own waters?” asked Mark K.
“Bahamians have been fighting the Dominicans to secure and protect their livelihood and now the individuals in government are willing to sell their livelihood out to another nationality?” Suzette K, another signatory questioned.
“We already have over fishing issues with poachers from around us. Why would we allow China who has a proven tract record of poor fishing habits to come in and destroy our natural resources?” Kenville L asked.
According to an earlier report, the proposed partnership will entail the incorporation of 100 companies, with the agricultural products and seafood to be used for local consumption, and exported to China and the United States for sale. The proposal also reportedly includes the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister V Alfred Gray has since explained that Bahamas Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Paul “Andy” Gomez had submitted the proposal as an overview of items that he sought clearance from the government to discuss with investors in China.
As the social media firestorm over the potential implications of such a deal continued, Mr Gray also took aim at The Nassau Guardian, which first published the proposal on Tuesday. He insisted that the newspaper was linked to an opposition candidate, and charged that he would not be a “scapegoat for their mission.”
“This narrative as it relates to the Chinese is led by politics,” he said, “and if the Free National Movement, including The Nassau Guardian, wants to be honest, this Chinese involvement in our country came at the hands of (former Prime Minister) Hubert Ingraham.”
Mr Gray underscored that it was the previous FNM administration that negotiated for Chinese workers in the Baha Mar deal and gave the Chinese licenses for the rerouting of the airport corridor, and to construct a dock in Abaco.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, meanwhile, insisted that he is not “easy” when it comes to Crown land approvals when pressed about the controversial proposal.
Mr Christie said while his administration continues to be accused by critics, he would soon release every proposal that was submitted to the government in relation to Andros, dating back to the very first administration.
Comments
realfreethinker 7 years, 5 months ago
Here we go again. Whenever this government is caught in a lie or backed in a corner they threaten to expose what the FNM did. If you didn't expose what all "previous" governments proposal before it ain't going to save your ass now. Just utter bullshit comes out of this man mouth.
Biminibrad 7 years, 5 months ago
Where do you sign the petition?
Sickened 7 years, 5 months ago
I want a petition to start a commission of inquiry on corruption in government. All of our issues stem from utter corruption. Corruption is so blatant that in negotiating with other countries for automatic exchange of information (through CRS) of residents/citizens, our government does not want to be given any information about Bahamians. Why? Because 'people' will find out which Bahamians have more than $250,000 overseas in both personal bank accounts and through corporate entities. Our government does anything BUT fight corruption.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 5 months ago
A petition will accomplish nothing. Crooked Christie has already defied the wishes of a majority of voters in a duly held costly national referendum on the gaming web shops, which incidentally was paid for by Bahamian taxpayers. He would therefore only laugh at any petition presented to him on this latest outrageous deal that he no doubt has already concluded in principle with his cohorts in Red China. Nothing short of a well organized major riot by the vast majority of Bahamians would cause Crooked Christie to heel.
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 5 months ago
No need to riot, I watched with fascination the speed at which they responded to the rising anger over the cabbage beach affair. And I realized they are very afraid of massive public discontent. Not on every issue, but issues that have the possibility to galvanize everybody against them. They even had birdie "almost" asking them to resign.
Notice Grey's reaction as well, at first he was brushing it off, he thought it was a wonderful idea, but as anger rose he panicked, he sounded like a crazy desperate man in parliament yesterday, he even put out a message on what's app. They're afraid of public discontent.
truetruebahamian 7 years, 5 months ago
@WMTS, true, but good people have to fight Christie and his corrupt PLP (Plunder, Loot and Pillage) party by ALL means possible and this is one of many avenues. Bit by bit we might have to go to more and more dire means leading up to and if necessary the optimum and final action.
birdiestrachan 7 years, 5 months ago
Sam Duncombe if only she could be believed. This is the same woman who had nothing to say when the Exuma Sea Park was dredged. Sam does not really care it is all about the politics and where is the man she follows the Out spoken QC.
MonkeeDoo 7 years, 5 months ago
http://thetribune.media.clients.ellin...">Chinese Fleet Awaiting PM Nod ! by MonkeeDoo
Reality_Check 7 years, 5 months ago
Love the pic, but seeing it sent a fearful shudder down my spine!
MonkeeDoo 7 years, 5 months ago
These are all to have official fishing licenses so not to be challenged,
PastorTroy 7 years, 5 months ago
Politics is like a smoking mirror, deliberately design to divide and rule the citizenry. While we keep 'jabbin' at each other in the dark yellow smoke and red smoke, Those who have their finger on the on/off button of the smoke machine is not going to turn off! On the contrary, they see the need to add more 'juice' to create MORE smoke, because if the red smoke and the yellow smoke clears? I'll be like turning on the lights at potters cay dock at 5am, Rats! running in all direction, even maggots (however slower). WE NEED TO DEMAND F.O.I (Freedom Of Information Act) NOW!
It's past time for Patriotic Bahamian Men and Women to 'do whatever it takes' to save our Kinda-sort-Democracy! Keep hiding in your rooms and for walls praying, China unapologetically don't care who or what you pray too, all they see is economic opportunity; but really, can you blame them? especially when the 'gatekeepers' to our economy is so uneducated, visionless and corrupt!
LEGALIZE CANNABIS: Then 'ordinary' Bahamians will have the funds to send their kids to decent educational institutions worldwide, not depending on the Bahamian government, but with the intent to REPLACE these corrupt 'Rats & Maggots'.
JohnDoes 7 years, 5 months ago
There is an article about China over fishing their own waters entitled, "Emptying seas and mounting tensions in fish-hungry Asia" via The Financial Times. The UN also did a report on it. When we Bahamians only consume certain types of fish, the Chinese are consuming seafood in almost all forms; sea life that may also contribute to the well being and preservance of the sea life we tend to mainly consume, also destroying the various eco systems etc hence their interest in our waters and lands and the depletion of product in theirs. If Mr. Gray thinks that Bahamians are not interested in agriculture, or maybe because of the fact that they can't get anything from the banks, shouldn't he as minister make it possible for Bahamians to be able to get interested and implement ways for it to be easier for an average Bahamian to obtain assistance from for example, the Government through various Special Purpose Vehicles? Maybe we cam harvest and sell to the Chinese. I mean come on, don't sell the Bahamian soul just to gain the world.
Article Link: https://www.ft.com/content/54cac12c-a...">https://www.ft.com/content/54cac12c-a...
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