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WILCHCOMBE: BIMINI BAY DEVELOPER MAY FACE PENALTIES

By

Rupert Mussick, Jr & Dominic Duncombe

Miami Herald/Bahamas Tribune, page 5 on January 28, 2003

BIMINI Bay Developer Gerardo Capo has a lot to answer for, said Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe, who told the Tribune that the developer may soon face penalties.
As environmentalists complain that Bimini is being destroyed, ministers and members of parliament continue to ask for more time to research the problem.

“The ecological damage being wrought on Bimini continues unabated” said the Freeport-based environmentalists, Earthcare. In a press release, the group pointed out a number of environmental concerns that are damaging the island and its waters.

“Obviously there’s much to be answered, there’s much to be accounted for,” said Mr Wilchcombe, who is also Minister of Tourism. He told the Tribune that though it is understood that there has been irreparable damage to the environment, little else is clear.

Mr Wilchcombe said it is hard to know what is going on the island. “You’re never sure. One day, there’s nothing going on then two days later you see some people show up.”
He said that though reports said that work was being done, Mr Wilchcombe saw no activity when he visited. Last week, the minister was given a report by the BEST commission concerning the status of Bimini Bay.

“Damage has been done. We all acknowledge that”, Minister Wilchcombe said. He said he has spoken with Mr Capo, who told him he still wants to move ahead with the project.
The minister said the government plans to meet with the developer to talk about the destruction on the island.

In addition, Mr Wilchcombe said other developers have expressed interest in developing the property and have said they will stop damage and preserve the environment.
Mr Wilchcombe said Mr Capo has expressed deep regret over the damage that has been done. He said Mr Capo feels he has been misunderstood, that people have not seen what he is trying to do and that he is a victim of propaganda.

“But clearly its more than just propaganda,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “Clearly there’s damage, clearly that environment will never be the same again, clearly we’ve lost a lot because of the investment.”

The Minister said after he insisted, Mr Capo met with the community to explain to residents what has been going on and what is happening in their environment.
“The people of Bimini are disgusted. They’re very angry,” he said. “They believe for the most part that they have been left on their own to fend for themselves. They believe that they have been abandoned.”

Mr Wilchcombe said there need to be stiffer penalties for environmental damage. “I want to be sure that whatever we do sends a very strong and clear message.”
“Government will not stand idly by and allow the degradation and destruction of its environment.”

Mr Wilchcombe said Mr Capo may end up compensating the government for the extensive damage though he is not sure what will be done or what is allowed by law. But he said, penalties need to be in place that prevent another disaster such as Bimini.
“It should never have happened. The government, in my view, did not represent the people of Bimini effectively.”

Minister of Health and Environment, Marcus Bethel, said he has tried twice to visit the island. Bad weather stopped his first trip and other priorities took over his plans to visit last week. Minister Bethel said he needs time to visit Bimini Bay before he makes the government’s position clear on the environmental concerns surrounding the project.

Mr Bethel said he could not discuss anything in detail but is aware of the concerns about the project because of reports from the BEST commission. He has not been to the site or spoken to Mr Capo. The minister said he would give a full report once he had gathered all the relevant information, which he said would be in about two weeks time.

BEST commission chairman, Keod Smith, did not return calls to his office.