Note:
A frequent visitor to WeblogBahamas left the following comment to this post, and we thought it interesting enough to highlight his/her thoughts.
What do you think?
Looking at Abaco, Bahamas...
Let's for a few moments look at two situations in Abaco.
The developer of Winding Bay got 125 acres of CROWN LAND and I am given to understand the deal was The Bahamian Government (The People) were going to get a percentage when this land was sold. Low and behold the golf course was built on this land, it will never be sold, threfore we the PEOPLE will get nothing.
The land which has been sold and yet to sell is private land which was purchased by the developer. Even more disturbing is the original developer sold his stake for three hundred million and has left Abaco probably to do the same some place else.
Bakers Bay bought private land but the concessions both developers have from Government (PLP at the time)is that they do not pay duty on anything.
Some of you may know of the unfortunate fires that have happened in food stores in Abaco in recent years. On my recent visit to Marsh Harbour I had occasion to visit Maxwells new supermarket. What a tribute to the owner Mr. Chad Sawyer. It is a fabulous store. I am given to understand that he got NO concessions from Government in building this store. My question is, "Why can the foreigner come to our shores and get all these concessions and there is no consideration for the Bahamian businessman?" If Mr. Sawyer or any other Bahamian makes a profit the money stays here and is re-invested to further benefit Bahamians.
Further investigation reveals that the new National Insurance funded government complex benefits little to the local Abaco community, even to the point of a foreign owned shipping company trucking supplies to the site while local truckers are struggling. Similar to what is happening in Freeport.
Will the local Abaco contractors be affored the opportunity to bid on the new airport terminal proposed for Marsh Harbour Airport as well as other jobs?
Local builders in Abaco have had to lay off workers while foreign contractors are brought in to do some building in resorts. Abaconians are very upset with their two M.P's over this.
