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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Over the last several years, oil spills and countless other environmental infractions have become a more common occurrence across our chain of islands. Monday’s newspaper headlines regarding the reported oil spill on Adelaide Beach over the weekend is again another reminder of the failure of this, and past administrations to preserve and properly manage this country’s environmental resources.
As an archipelagic nation, our country and its citizens depend heavily on our natural resources. Known as a destination of Sun, Sand and Sea, many tourists travel from far and wide to visit our pristine beaches and swim our crystal clear waters. Locally, scores of fishermen depend on the health and wealth of the ocean for economic sustenance.
Unfortunately successive governments have allowed for the destruction and misappropriation of such resources to the continued detriment of our national development. Rather than enacting policies to protect the environment, the government continues to take a reactionary position, only ever acknowledging the need for change or improvement when disaster strikes.
Our country’s geographic location and its archipelagic makeup give the Bahamas a unique advantage over many other countries in the region, with each island offering diverse and unique environmental experiences. Rather than simply selling off these natural treasures to the highest bidder, a responsible government – A DNA GOVERNMENT – would work not only to protect the delicate ecosystems which exist, but also enable Bahamians to become owners in an economy driven by environmental responsibility. The continued mismanagement of our natural resources by this and previous governments however, has stymied any such possibility.
This point is particularly critical as the government prepares to impose VAT come January 1, 2015. While the government continues to assert the need to find new revenue streams, they simultaneously ignore the economic benefits that can be derived from the land and sea around us. Even now in the face of this most recent incident, the government, outside of a generic statement about cleanup efforts, has given no indication that it is prepared to seriously examine current environmental legislation with a view to upgrading and improving them.
Saturday’s incident at Adelaide beach was not a first time occurrence and without intervention from the government, it may not be the last. For some time environmentalists have warned about the impact of BEC’s Clifton plant on surrounding waters. Now, in addition to providing Bahamians with sub-par electricity services, BEC is being allowed, without consequence, to pollute the water, potentially destroying important ecosystems nearby.
Rather than take responsibility for the corporation’s continued role in the matter though, the chairman is instead attempting to pass the buck claiming that the company is not solely responsible for the environmental damage. It is clear that the chairman has missed the point completely. It is not about who specifically is to blame for the problem, but rather that the problem exists at all. We, in the DNA encourage BEC to take whatever steps are necessary, including collaborating with other area stakeholders to ensure that they are all being good environmental stewards.
We have been entrusted with arguably the most beautiful collection of islands, rocks and cays in the world; it is imperative, now more than ever that Bahamians and those we elect to office take stock of the natural beauty and resources given to us by God and find ways to use them to further the continued growth and development.
Environmental degradation has far reaching effects on our way of life; we must act NOW to end it once and for all.
Chris Mortimer
DNA Deputy Leader
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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