THERE is no basis for the continued opposition to the $175 million Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club development on Guana Cay, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said at the weekend, as all "legitimate concerns" held by those opposing the project have been answered satisfactorily.

Following a tour of progress at the resort, Mr Ingraham said the developers have the full support of the Government.
"We are satisfied that they are undertaking a project that is environmentally acceptable and sustainable, and that they are doing a development that is contributing sufficiently to the economy of Abaco, and hence the economy of the Bahamas," the Prime Minister said.

Mr Ingraham added that while the Save Guana Cay Reef Association did raise several legitimate concerns, his government is satisfied these have been addressed.

"Firstly they complained that it was not environmentally sustainable. I think that it is fair to say, and accurate to say, that this development exceeds the environmental standards established by the Bahamas, and we ar very proud of how they have respected the environment and gone about taking step to mitigate any damage whatsoever," said Mr Ingraham.

He added that the Association had expressed concerns about the granting of public land to the developers.

"They also complained that the Government of the Bahamas was giving away all of the public land on Guana Cay that is Crown Land and Treasury Land. We gave consideration to that argument after we came to office in May, and sat down with the develeopers and told them that we did not think that they ought to have access to as much of the government acreage as was previously agreed.

"They undertook to return to the government substantial portions of what had already been agreed to be transferred to them," the Prime Minister said.

Mr Ingraham said this had the net effect that, of the 40 acres of Treasury Land, the developers will end up with about eight acres after five-to-six years on a lease basis, and with respect to the Crown Land, 60-plus acres of it is for a nature preserve that will be managed by the developers for the benefit of the public.

"They have a licence. The land is still owned by the Government, and it is not going anywhere. With respect to some of the other land, they have some leases on it. So I think that with respect to public land there is no argument of any consequence about alienation of that land," the Prime Minister said.

The land that will be leased to the developers will also benefit Guana Cay's residents, as it will be used for a water treatment facility, employee housing and other essential facilities.

Mr Ingraham added that the developers bought 450 acres of private land to do their development.

The Association's third argument, he said, was that the approvals granted to Baker's Bay had been granted improperly by either the Government in Nassau or the district council in Hope Town.

Mr Ingraham said that as that matter was before the courts, he would not comment, only to say: "The government of the Bahamas is satisfied that the development on Baker's Bay is in the public interest of the Bahamas, and we will, do whatever is necessary to ensure that we effectively support and" facilitate and accommodate the development.

"It is contributing significantly to the economy of Abaco, as it is producing in terms of wages some $1 million per month. From a government point of view, that means that $200,000 of that comes directly back to the public treasury as revenue. Additionally, they are accessing lots of goods and service from Bahamian suppliers and contractors and we wish we had many more like them."
With matters concluded to the Prime Minister's satisfaction, he said: "There is not now a basis for a continued opposition to the development at Baker's Bay."

Source: The Tribune