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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Freeport, Bahamas-----Nassau Island Development Company (NID) presented its proposal to develop an Aragonite Harvesting and Manufacturing project to a packed room at the East End Junior High School in McLeans Town last evening. While the main attendees invited were residents of the Eastern End of the Island, a number of interested persons from the various communities throughout Grand Bahama were also in attendance.
The Company is seeking the approval from the Government of The Bahamas to develop a Harvesting Facility on Great Bersus Cay also known as Burrow Cay located Southeast of Grand Bahama. A significant component of the operation is also the development and location of a manufacturing facility on Grand Bahama Island.
Company officials indicated to residents that Great Bersus Cay was selected as a site for the project based on its location to the shipping lanes passing through The Bahamas, proximity to the US markets, location to the economic center of Grand Bahama with provisions for goods and services, adequate segregation from the project’s industrial activities, but more importantly for the high quality of Oolitc Aragonite in the area.
NID’s focus is not only to be a supplier of Aragonite but to supply products derived from the resource. “The opportunity to manufacture the product not only employs people but opens the doors for self-employment and true empowerment for residents. When you consider the market demand for Aragonite globally this is an opportunity to change the economic landscape of The Bahamas” says company executive Tanya Mackey.
NID representatives also presented at last evenings meeting its support of the community through various initiatives. “Recognizing and supporting the needs of the people in the area will be of paramount interest to us”, says Mackey. “During last evenings meeting we outlined to residents several initiatives the company were committed to participate in particularly an initial rehabilitative dredging exercise to restore the waterway to normal operational depth at Sweetings Cay and ongoing maintenance of the same. Further we talked about the establishment of a fund for ongoing community projects.”
Also on hand at last evening’s town meeting were representatives from Phoenix Engineering a local Grand Bahamian firm retained to develop an Environmental Impact Assessment Report to determine the potential environmental impacts on the project. Engineer Cliff Moxey said “their firm will provide an independent assessment of the project and the strategies to mitigate, control and monitor such impacts.” Moxey further indicated that, “the process to date is to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment report to the Best Commission which has been done and dialogue with the Commission is ongoing and will continue as it relates to the development of a final EIA Document.
According to Project Manager Mackey from NID “we are very conscious of the lifestyle the residents enjoy from the proceeds of fishing in East Grand Bahama, and as such this proposed project is to enhance that lifestyle.”
About NID: The company was formed to harvest, export, and penetrate global markets and industries where the use of Oolitic Aragonite will be economically and ecologically viable. Our corporate commitment is to set the global standard for environmental, ecological and economic responsibility to our surroundings, neighbors, employees, and customers. We are focused on building the Bahamian economic base by harvesting and exporting a unique natural resource. This will create long-term employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians. Nassau Island Development corporate headquarters is located in Nassau.
Town Meeting for East End Grand Bahama: Proposed Aragonite Harvesting and Manufacturing facility
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