[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : New Providence Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Packed town meeting says ‘No to Nygard’
By Diane Phillips & Associates
Jul 15, 2014 - 11:19:36 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page
No_to_Nygard_town_meeting_3.jpg
IMPASSIONED – Environmental attorney Romi Ferreira said the time has come to send a clear message that Bahamians will no longer tolerate secret deals that give away land to foreign developers without proper consultation with the public. Also pictured, from left, are Rev CB Moss of the Coalition to Save Clifton, attorney and Save The Bays director Fred Smith, QC and veteran political activist Paul Moss.

Nassau, Bahamas - Over 250 Bahamians declare their opposition to the further development of Nygard Cay, granting of any lease for lands claimed from the seabed without proper approvals

A packed BCPOU Hall resounded with spirited chants of “No to Nygard! No to Nygard!” as a town meeting to discuss the latest plans for a controversial Lyford Cay development swelled in numbers, scope and energy beyond even the organizers’ expectations.

Citizens expressed their fervent opposition to more proposed works at Nygard Cay, where conservationists say unauthorized development is already harming the vital ecosystem of the surrounding Clifton Bay and negatively impacting nearby Jaws Beach, one of the few public beaches left in Nassau. Many, particularly young Bahamians, came forward to ask how they could help convince government to reject the plans.

No_to_Nygard_Town_Meeting_4.jpg
CAPACITY CROWD – Hundreds of Bahamians gathered at the BCOPU hall on Farrington Road to discuss Peter Nygard’s application for further expansion of his controversial development, and to express their lack discontent over the close relationship between political leaders and foreign developers.

Environmental attorney Romi Ferreira told them they must stand together like the heroes of the first battle to save Clifton Bay, an area of unique historical, cultural and ecological importance.

“Fourteen years ago, we stared down an unwise development. We won the victory only because we stood together against overwhelming odds and secret deals,” he said. “Today the threats to Clifton Bay and Jaws beach are very different and yet the same - unregulated development.”

Drawing cheers and applause from the crowd, an impassioned Ferreira said the government’s failure to hold a proper consultation process over the Nygard Cay application – which also asks that land claimed from the seabed without permission be leased to the development’s owner, Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard – is a prime example of what he called politicians’ disregard for the rights of Bahamians and willingness to sacrifice the public interest for the benefit of certain wealthy foreign “friends”.

“It’s time to send a message,” he said. “No longer are we prepared to sit back and watch you and your friends destroy our country. We want all the structures removed from Nygard Point and the original coastline restored. Give nature a chance to heal itself. We don’t want you to sacrifice Jaws Beach and your people for your friends. We want the beach restored with full public access.”

No_to_Nygard_town_meeting_1.jpg
CAPACITY CROWD – Hundreds of Bahamians gathered at the BCOPU hall on Farrington Road to discuss Peter Nygard’s application for further expansion of his controversial development, and to express their lack discontent over the close relationship between political leaders and foreign developers.

Ferreira told the crowd Peter Nygard has been allowed to grow his property from 2.85 acres to 6.1 acres without authorization, and when told to cease and desist and reverse the work by the former FNM government, he failed to do so.

Nygard has admitted supporting the PLP financially in the run-up to the 2012 election and released a video called “Nygard Takes Bahamas Back” following the party’s win, he noted.

Ferreira is a director of Save The Bays (STB), the fast-growing social and environmental advocacy group that is pushing for a Freedom of Information Act to bring an end to secret deals and negotiations, and an all-encompassing Environmental Act to preserve the country’s natural resources for future generations of Bahamians.

Other presenters included fellow STB directors Fred Smith, QC and Joseph Darville; attorney and political activist Paul Moss; and Rev. CB Moss, whose Coalition to Save Clifton organized the town meeting. They touched on a number of related issues, including the situation at Nygard Cay, the many threats to the country’s environment in general and the dominance of a political system that has favoured politicians, their associates and wealthy foreign developers at the expense of regular Bahamians.

When the microphone was opened up for comments, whispers of simmering discontent in the crowd seemed to explode. Passionate commentators denounced everything from what they called endemic corruption to poor and deteriorating social conditions. They pointed to recent revelations that politically connected individuals have been allowed to rack up considerable tax bills with impunity.

Most though, were specifically angry about Nygard Cay.

“What we need to do is send a message to the prime minister tonight,” one man said. “Send a demolition team down to Nygard Cay and start reversing that work at 6.30 tomorrow morning. If you can’t do that, the next day, demit office!”

Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

New Providence
Latest Headlines
World’s largest cruise ship to call on Nassau on March 9
LPIA reveals new summer 2021 operations plan, shares Important travel tips for passengers
Scotiabank upgrading ABM network
New Caves Corporate Center now fully leased by NAI Bahamas Realty Commercia
KFC Nassau Junkanoo Buckets competition awards $40,000 in prize money