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The Bahama Journal

May 28th, 2005

Bimini Row Over 

By Steven Gay

Residents of Bimini are reportedly happy with the quick response taken  by the government to resolve issues relating to the Bimini Bay Development.

On Thursday night during a town meeting on that island some 300 people voiced their concerns about the development to the Government officials who included the Island's Minister of Parliament, Obie Wilchcombe and several of his ministerial colleagues.

Tempers flared on Monday when approximatley 100 residents protested at the entrance of the Bimini Bay project, demanding that the government put a stop to the construction of a gate they claim separates the development from the rest of the island.

A move that Bimini residents feel confines them to one half of their island.

The protest was also against reported use of predominantly Mexican labour at the development site.

Residents blocked access to the property by parking a large pay loader at its entrance preventing vehicles from approaching the gate.

Rafael Reyes, president of RAV Bahamas Ltd, the developers of Bimini Bay, in a press release issued on Monday, said, "The gate referred to has been installed for safety and security reasons.  Bimini Bay is a construction site and has many of the dangers usually found on  major construction sites, such as open trenches, live wires, electrical transformers and so on."

Mr. Reyes said screening occurs at the gate because there is a concern about nighttime access.

"Also in recent times, there have been many police-related incidents involving alleged theft of construction materials and the alleged trafficking of people and narcotics," he added.

Minister of Works and Utilities, Bradley Roberts who attended the meeting spoke with the Bahama Journal on friday and shared some of the resolutions arrived at.

"There will be no gate at the entrance to the development," Minister Roberts said.

According to the minister there were also concerns that crown land in the area known as East Wells was sold to developers.  But his government was able to confirm that the Government has not sold any crown land at that location.

Government officials also attempted to snuff out the allegations of expatriate labour being predominantly used at the development site.

"A committee was formed under the representative (of the island) and the developer to try and work that situation out" Minister Roberts said.

Also at the meeting Minister Roberts announced that in short order the government would be signing contract for the dredging of the harbour.  This will allow large yachts to be able to access the island.

"This will cost $2.7 million" Minister roberts said.  "This will allow the larger boats to get into the docks."

He said that in the past the harbour has been a perennial problem for the island, which lead to the number of yachts visiting the island to diminish because shallow water in the area.  But with this dredging those numbers will hopefully increase.

He also pointed out that previous dredging efforts were superficial and that the government has had a proper marine study done to ensure that the process would be environmentally friendly.