Bell Island dredging in the Exuma Land and Sea Park!
By PIERRE DUPUCH
LAST week I appeared on the radio show, Hard Copy, hosted by Steve McKinney on Gems 105.9 FM radio at 5 p.m. The show was all about the recent permission given by the Government to conduct dredging at Bell Island and, in particular, the Exuma Land and Sea Park, which was established by law as a preserve in 1958.
The discussion was lively and interesting. One caller suggested that the purchaser of Bell Island, who was recently given permission by government to dredge a large area of the reserve and who is descended from the Middle East, should be requested to ask the Egyptian Government the following simple question: "What would their answer be if a Bahamian investor promised to make a multi-billion dollar investment in a five star hotel, with all the amenities, theme park, etc, that would create mega employment and foreign investment in the heart of Egypt?"
I am sure they would love the idea. But there would be just one catch, the location of the resort. In order to make the investment, the Egyptian Government would have to allow the investor to demolish one of the Egyptian pyramids to make space for building. The Egyptian Government would ask if the Bahamian investor had taken leave of his senses, and the Aga Khan would be asked politely ... or not so politely ... to leave.
But that's Egypt where they have pride in their history, their environment and themselves. I believe the Bahamian people do also; however, I don't think our leaders do.
Later in the show there was another caller, Mr. Brensil Rolle, advisor to the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, and Member of Parliament. He seemed to be all bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to defend his government's position on the granting of permission to dredge in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. I thought he had called to prove us wrong. What he did, however, in my opinion was to demonstrate that he was arrogant and rude.
He reminded me of years gone by when well trained "hecklers" refused to let anyone speak. Every time I tried to get a word in edge-wise his mouth would start running like a Gatling gun, twice as fast as his brain. I recognized the tactic so I said nothing.
Most of what Mr. Rolle said was that he was born in Exuma and that the area had been dredged many times before and that there were examples of this everywhere and he couldn't see why we were objecting now.
Mr. Rolle said that pictures that Mr. McKinney had taken recently were "old." If they were "old," as Mr. Rolle claims, what happened to the rock and fill that had been mined "long ago." The Prime Minister said the rock and fill would be "adequately disposed of." Maybe Mr. Rolle, or the Prime Minister, would care to tell us what "adequately disposed of" really means? Does it happen to mean, "sold on the international market?" If so, by whom? Has this been a part of the "strip mining" operation reported to be going on in The Bahamas? Just asking.
Recognizing his tactic, I backed off and let Mr. McKinney handle, what appeared to be, a raving idiot. Mr. McKinney rightly told him that we were discussing the recent approval for land to be dredged in a reserved area, and that what had happened in the past had nothing to do with the discussion.
And Mr. McKinney was correct. Just because people have fished in the park, does it mean that they should not be arrested if found fishing there illegally? According to Mr. Rolle's logic, anyone should be able to fish in the park and not worry because, after all, people have fished there illegally before.
Should the bank robber not be arrested for robbing a bank? After all, banks have been robbed before.
Mr. Rolle's logic was incredible. And he's one of the Prime Minister's advisors?
Now back to the discussion. It is said that a man has to be given reasonable access to his property. This is correct. In fact, I don't think you're able to sell a property unless you can guarantee reasonable access to it. But reasonable access means just what it says, "reasonable." It does not mean that, having bought an island which is surrounded on at least two sides by shallow water and is in a Land and Sea Park, the purchaser is able to buy the Queen Mary and expect to use "reasonable access" as a reason to dredge in one of our most important marine reserves.
Bell Island, as I understand it, is on the edge of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park with deep water on one side. But this is on the ocean side, they say. Well isn't this an ocean going yacht he proposes to bring here?
But, of course there's the famous helicopter. Or is it too busy flying our leaders around?
The Prime Minister says that the Aga Khan is a nice man. I am sure he is. The Prime Minister says that his grandchildren play with the Aga Khan's children.
Great. So what's that got to do with the price of tea in China? Am I hearing some kind of complex coming with such a statement?
The Prime Minister says that he has taken the advice of "advisors" and agrees with their advice regarding Bell Island. Maybe the public would like to know the names of these "advisors."
After all, a man is often judged by the company he keeps ... and so are his decisions.
The Prime Minister says that the objection to dredging in the Exuma Land and Sea Park is just "noise." Maybe.
Maybe the riot in Bain town was just "noise" too?
Maybe the town that has recently gone crazy with killings everywhere, is just "noise" too?
Maybe the cries of twelve year olds being raped by paedophiles are just "noise" too?
Maybe the recent "Tea Party" in the U.S. was just "noise" too.
We'll see. I have faith in the Bahamian people.
December 02, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Brensil Rolle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brensil Rolle. Show all posts
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Outrage after Garden Hills MP Brensil Rolle asked Exumians what they think about the construction of marinas in the Exuma Land and Sea Park
Online outrage after MP poses marina development question
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FNM MP for Garden Hills Brensil Rolle got a little more than he bargained for after using his Facebook page to ask Exumians what they think about the construction of marinas in the Exuma Land and Sea Park.
The question was met with an immediate flurry of responses, many from persons outraged that the MP had asked for the opinion of Exumians only after the government granted approval for the development of Bell Island to Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV.
The permits will allow for the excavation of 4.32 acres of upland area for a yacht basin, 2.56 acres of sea floor for an outer channel, 4.28 acres of sea floor for a barge landing and 1.9 acres of sea floor for the outer area of the barge landing.
The approval has incensed many Bahamians, and Exumians in particular.
Earnestine McKenzie Bain wrote that if the government is going to allow marinas in the national park, poor local fishermen should be allowed to fish and gather conch from the area as well.
She added that straw vendors should be allowed to harvest the top portion of palm trees growing in the park to use in straw work.
Ms Bain noted that if you only take this part of the tree, it eventually grows back, whereas building a marina at Bell Island will kill precious reefs which will never grow back.
She wrote: "I really don't know why (you) ask the Exumians this question, when you guys are doing what you have planned anyway. To me it makes no sense."
Victor Grant wrote that while the construction of a marina may provide employment for a few Bahamians, the government ought to be formulating a plan to stimulate the economy on a wider scale, particularly to the benefit of former employees of the Four Seasons Resort in Great Exuma.
Terry Lamond Bain wrote: "Why ask people something your government has decided already?"
He asked if the government intends to put a marina on every island in the park.
"While you are at it, give out licenses to run jet-skis in the Flamingo sanctuary in Inagua and develop all other national parks too."
Mr Bain added: "By the way, Mr Rolle, the question ought to be directed to Bahamians - not just Exumians. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is for all Bahamians! If the billionaire Brother Prince Aga Khan is a true environmentalist, he would hand over Bell Island to the Bahamas National Trust and buy all the other islands in the park and hand them over to the BNT..."
Nicolle Ferguson concurred that the MP's question should have been asked before the marina was approved - not after.
"As a young Exumian, I am not at all happy with what is going on around me and what is being allowed to happen by non-Bahamians.
Responding to the flood of negative comments, Mr Rolle wrote: "I just ask the question, nothing personel (personal)".
However, former MP for Exuma, George Smith, said the issue is a very personal one for Exumians, and Mr Rolle should know better.
Mr Smith said: "No one should suggest that the views of these Bahamians are anti to the Aga Khan. There is not one person in Exuma who would not welcome the Aga Khan as an investor.
"But is it right of the government of the Bahamas to say that he can come here and do what any Bahamian can't?
"He (the Aga Khan) is not the culprit. It's the government's fault here. Fair is fair.
"Exumians who have strong views about this should be praised for speaking out and speaking up," he said.
The Bahamas National Trust, which oversees the park, has noted that private islands existed in the area long before the park was created. In a statement issued last week, the BNT said it holds the view that "there is a distinct and fundamental difference between the unrestricted exploitation of public resources within a national park and the acceptance of reasonable access for non-commercial use of private property."
November 10, 2010
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FNM MP for Garden Hills Brensil Rolle got a little more than he bargained for after using his Facebook page to ask Exumians what they think about the construction of marinas in the Exuma Land and Sea Park.
The question was met with an immediate flurry of responses, many from persons outraged that the MP had asked for the opinion of Exumians only after the government granted approval for the development of Bell Island to Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV.
The permits will allow for the excavation of 4.32 acres of upland area for a yacht basin, 2.56 acres of sea floor for an outer channel, 4.28 acres of sea floor for a barge landing and 1.9 acres of sea floor for the outer area of the barge landing.
The approval has incensed many Bahamians, and Exumians in particular.
Earnestine McKenzie Bain wrote that if the government is going to allow marinas in the national park, poor local fishermen should be allowed to fish and gather conch from the area as well.
She added that straw vendors should be allowed to harvest the top portion of palm trees growing in the park to use in straw work.
Ms Bain noted that if you only take this part of the tree, it eventually grows back, whereas building a marina at Bell Island will kill precious reefs which will never grow back.
She wrote: "I really don't know why (you) ask the Exumians this question, when you guys are doing what you have planned anyway. To me it makes no sense."
Victor Grant wrote that while the construction of a marina may provide employment for a few Bahamians, the government ought to be formulating a plan to stimulate the economy on a wider scale, particularly to the benefit of former employees of the Four Seasons Resort in Great Exuma.
Terry Lamond Bain wrote: "Why ask people something your government has decided already?"
He asked if the government intends to put a marina on every island in the park.
"While you are at it, give out licenses to run jet-skis in the Flamingo sanctuary in Inagua and develop all other national parks too."
Mr Bain added: "By the way, Mr Rolle, the question ought to be directed to Bahamians - not just Exumians. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is for all Bahamians! If the billionaire Brother Prince Aga Khan is a true environmentalist, he would hand over Bell Island to the Bahamas National Trust and buy all the other islands in the park and hand them over to the BNT..."
Nicolle Ferguson concurred that the MP's question should have been asked before the marina was approved - not after.
"As a young Exumian, I am not at all happy with what is going on around me and what is being allowed to happen by non-Bahamians.
Responding to the flood of negative comments, Mr Rolle wrote: "I just ask the question, nothing personel (personal)".
However, former MP for Exuma, George Smith, said the issue is a very personal one for Exumians, and Mr Rolle should know better.
Mr Smith said: "No one should suggest that the views of these Bahamians are anti to the Aga Khan. There is not one person in Exuma who would not welcome the Aga Khan as an investor.
"But is it right of the government of the Bahamas to say that he can come here and do what any Bahamian can't?
"He (the Aga Khan) is not the culprit. It's the government's fault here. Fair is fair.
"Exumians who have strong views about this should be praised for speaking out and speaking up," he said.
The Bahamas National Trust, which oversees the park, has noted that private islands existed in the area long before the park was created. In a statement issued last week, the BNT said it holds the view that "there is a distinct and fundamental difference between the unrestricted exploitation of public resources within a national park and the acceptance of reasonable access for non-commercial use of private property."
November 10, 2010
tribune242
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Is Your MP Performing: Garden Hills Residents Split on the Performance of Free National Movement (FNM) Member of Parliament - Brensil Rolle
Is Your MP Performing: Garden Hills Residents Split
By IANTHIA SMITH
Supporters and critics of Free National Movement (FNM) Member of Parliament for Garden Hills Brensil Rolle seem to be split on the issue as to whether or not the representative is performing in the area.
The Bahama Journal interviewed 10 Garden Hills residents Wednesday morning to find out how they feel about their MP.
Six out of those 10 constituents said they are not happy with Mr. Rolle’s performance while the remaining four said they were satisfied with what they have been seeing.
"Well he can come around more often and be more visible," one female resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said. "He needs to come around and try to help as much as he can. Right now in my house only my daughter is working, I’m not working, my son doesn’t have a job and things are tough."
Another male resident agrees.
He said over the years Mr. Rolle has quickly lost the momentum he initially exhibited in the constituency.
"When he first came in power, he seemed to be doing the job," he said. "But now, as you can see, there’s all kind of bush around here that no one would come to cut it down and because there’s all that bush there a lot of robberies that happen around here."
"And the thing is, Mr. Rolle lives right around the corner, it’s not like he’s a stranger. We would go around to him and let him know what’s going on, but still nothing is happening."
But there were several supporters who begged to differ with the negative feedback.
"Everybody has their own feelings," Buster Bethel said. "He doesn’t come around here to see me and he doesn’t come to see my wife, but I don’t care to see him, as long as he’s doing his job."
"He calls constituency meetings every month and those who are interested go to the meetings. Some people are looking for him to go directly to their house. I don’t care to see him, I don’t even care to see him during election time as long as he does his job and I think he is doing what he is supposed to do."
"To me, he’s done more than anyone else who represented this constituency. I feel good about him and I would definitely vote for him again," another woman added.
"So would I," her female family member chimed in.
The Garden Hills constituency is split into three sections; Garden Hills #1, #2, #3.
While some of the constituents did not want to go on record with their comments, many of them said they like the fact that their MP hosts numerous community events like ‘back to school’ and Christmas giveaways.
But for other residents, annual community fun days are simply not enough as they said issues with crime, the economy and unemployment continuously knock at their door.
"We haven’t had a park in this area for so long, actually as long as I have been living here, and that’s about 30 years now," said a male resident who did not want his name printed. "There’s nothing for the kids to do and there’s no spirit in Garden Hills."
"People in the area are hurting; there are no jobs, crime is high in this area and the residents here have a lot of concerns."
"I want to see the area cleaned up, the garbage removed and I want there to be something for the kids to do," a female resident said. "There’s so much to do in this area, so many people need help. While I understand he can’t make everyone’s wishes come true, he can listen to the cries, hear what people have to say."
"If he doesn’t want to come around what can I do," Elaine Scavella asked. "I can’t do anything, but I know one thing, I won’t vote for him or anyone else again."
"He’s doing the best he can and even if that means just putting on an event for us, then that’s good enough," another female resident added. "It isn’t all about finding jobs for people or even giving them things."
Derek Rolle, another Garden Hills resident admitted that he has never voted and does not plan to.
Mr. Rolle said as far as he sees things there are not many politicians who are true leaders in the country.
Although he admits that the MP for his area has his faults, he said he believes he is doing an average job.
September 16th, 2010
jonesbahamas
By IANTHIA SMITH
Supporters and critics of Free National Movement (FNM) Member of Parliament for Garden Hills Brensil Rolle seem to be split on the issue as to whether or not the representative is performing in the area.
The Bahama Journal interviewed 10 Garden Hills residents Wednesday morning to find out how they feel about their MP.
Six out of those 10 constituents said they are not happy with Mr. Rolle’s performance while the remaining four said they were satisfied with what they have been seeing.
"Well he can come around more often and be more visible," one female resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said. "He needs to come around and try to help as much as he can. Right now in my house only my daughter is working, I’m not working, my son doesn’t have a job and things are tough."
Another male resident agrees.
He said over the years Mr. Rolle has quickly lost the momentum he initially exhibited in the constituency.
"When he first came in power, he seemed to be doing the job," he said. "But now, as you can see, there’s all kind of bush around here that no one would come to cut it down and because there’s all that bush there a lot of robberies that happen around here."
"And the thing is, Mr. Rolle lives right around the corner, it’s not like he’s a stranger. We would go around to him and let him know what’s going on, but still nothing is happening."
But there were several supporters who begged to differ with the negative feedback.
"Everybody has their own feelings," Buster Bethel said. "He doesn’t come around here to see me and he doesn’t come to see my wife, but I don’t care to see him, as long as he’s doing his job."
"He calls constituency meetings every month and those who are interested go to the meetings. Some people are looking for him to go directly to their house. I don’t care to see him, I don’t even care to see him during election time as long as he does his job and I think he is doing what he is supposed to do."
"To me, he’s done more than anyone else who represented this constituency. I feel good about him and I would definitely vote for him again," another woman added.
"So would I," her female family member chimed in.
The Garden Hills constituency is split into three sections; Garden Hills #1, #2, #3.
While some of the constituents did not want to go on record with their comments, many of them said they like the fact that their MP hosts numerous community events like ‘back to school’ and Christmas giveaways.
But for other residents, annual community fun days are simply not enough as they said issues with crime, the economy and unemployment continuously knock at their door.
"We haven’t had a park in this area for so long, actually as long as I have been living here, and that’s about 30 years now," said a male resident who did not want his name printed. "There’s nothing for the kids to do and there’s no spirit in Garden Hills."
"People in the area are hurting; there are no jobs, crime is high in this area and the residents here have a lot of concerns."
"I want to see the area cleaned up, the garbage removed and I want there to be something for the kids to do," a female resident said. "There’s so much to do in this area, so many people need help. While I understand he can’t make everyone’s wishes come true, he can listen to the cries, hear what people have to say."
"If he doesn’t want to come around what can I do," Elaine Scavella asked. "I can’t do anything, but I know one thing, I won’t vote for him or anyone else again."
"He’s doing the best he can and even if that means just putting on an event for us, then that’s good enough," another female resident added. "It isn’t all about finding jobs for people or even giving them things."
Derek Rolle, another Garden Hills resident admitted that he has never voted and does not plan to.
Mr. Rolle said as far as he sees things there are not many politicians who are true leaders in the country.
Although he admits that the MP for his area has his faults, he said he believes he is doing an average job.
September 16th, 2010
jonesbahamas
Saturday, January 23, 2010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part IV
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
HERE is the fourth and final part of The Tribune's report on what MPs say they did with the $200,000 allocated for constituency enhancement projects in their constituencies in the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 budgets.
A number of MPs forwarded these details after requests were put to them before and after the Christmas holidays. Fewer than half of the MPs responded -- 15 FNMs and one PLP.
Earlier this week, The Tribune reported how Desmond Bannister (Carmichael), Carl Bethel (Seabreeze), Loretta Butler-Turner (Montagu), Larry Cartwright (Long Island and Ragged Island), Sidney Collie (Blue Hills), Earl Deveaux (Marathon), Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill), Hubert Ingraham (North Abaco), Zhivargo Laing (Marco City), Charles Maynard (Golden Isles), Branville McCartney (Bamboo Town) and Phenton Neymour (South Beach) said they utilised the funds in their constituencies. See www.tribune242.com for those details.
Brensil Rolle - FNM - Garden Hills:
Providing a list of the payments made from the constituency allowance in chronological order, Mr Rolle first noted that $19,000 was allocated towards the establishment of two learning centres designed to assist students with basic language, mathematics and science and Spanish language skills, and enable tutoring for homework assignments.
The MP donated funds from the allowance to several junkanoo groups, including $2,000 to the Prodigal Sons and $2,000 to Kingdom Warriors.
A further $6,000 was spent on a constituency clean-up campaign which had appliances, garbage and derelict vehicles removed by local contractors.
Under the Entrepreneurial Creative Straw Vendor Programme, Mr Rolle said two industrial sewing machines were purchased, instructors hired, and 50 people were trained in creative straw production. The funds also covered the purchase of materials for the classes. A total of $4,819.60 was spent on the programme. A subdivision clean-up campaign cleared debris from overgrown lots in the constituency at a cost of $6,050.
For $26,710 a Subdivision Entrance Landscaping Programme was undertaken. Trees were planted at "strategic intersections in the constituency to improve the ambiance at the entrance to subdivisions," Mr Rolle said.
As part of the after-school programme, three payments of $800 were made to the Cousin McPhee Cathedral, and $1,000 was paid to Kizzy McKinney, Pamela Murphy and Vanessa Rolle.
A second session of the Entrepreneurial Creative Straw Vendor Programme was funded by $3,200.
Another $1,000 donation was made to the Prodigal Sons junkanoo group.
The sum of $23,420 was committed to improvements to the public park in Pride Estates by contractor Hubert Styles. This project is awaiting approval by the Ministry of Public Works.
A $1,000 donation was made to the Kingdom Warriors junkanoo group.
A second clean-up campaign was carried out at a cost of $20,010.
And $200 was donated to each of the following seven churches that participated in a Senior Citizens Christmas programme: Cousin McPhee Cathedral, Good Samaritan Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Southwest church of God, Independence Church of God, Chapel on the Hill and Bible Truth Ministries.
The sum of $1,500 was allocated to those who catered to senior citizens during the event.
A Ms McQueen was paid $1,000 for her instruction as part of a Straw Craft Certification Programme in collaboration with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation that trained and certified 30 people. BAIC was paid $700.
The sum of $5,000 was spent on a special education programme for challenged students of Garden Hills. Students followed a special curriculum and received individual tuition during the six-month programme held from January to June 2009.
A further $2,128.50 was spent on the purchase of playground equipment for the Pride Estates Public Park. Donations of $2,000 each were made to the following public schools in the constituency: A F Adderley Jr High, S C McPherson Jr High, C W Sawyer Primary, and S C McPherson Jr High.
Materials and an instructor for a shell craft training programme were purchased for $4,000.
The sum of $19,128.50 was spent to allow 50 members of the constituency to participate in the Ministry of Agriculture's Backyard Farming Programme. $1,060 was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for subdivision drainage. Twenty subdivision signs were printed and erected in the constituency for $14,400.
Playground equipment for a public park in the constituency was purchased from Creative Kids for $12,061.50. The placement of three drainage wells in areas that experience serious flooding cost $18,000, paid to M and R Drilling and Well Construction.
Further junkanoo donations of $1,500 each were made to the Kingdom Warriors and the Prodigals Sons. Another clean-up campaign saw $2,320 paid to Old Har Investments.
Tommy Turnquest - FNM - Mount Moriah:
Minister Turnquest said he has committed contracts for the entire sum of $200,000 and essentially all the funds have been spent, or will be spent, on recreational parks in his constituency.
"I purchased materials and supplies (approximately $20,000) for three parks in yellow Elder Gardens; spending $80,000 plus on the big park in Stapledon Gardens and about $35,000 on the smaller parks on Sunderland Road and Spitfire Road. I spent $40,000 on bathroom facilities on the park in Millennium Gardens."
The rules governing how constituency allowance funds are spent do not demand that the contracts to provide the work, goods or services are put out to competitive tender, and Mr Turnquest noted that none of his contracts were.
"The parks in Yellow Elder were done by the prison work group as part of their community work. I provided the supplies and equipment to the prison and they had three quotes and sourced from the lowest quote. The big park in Stapledon Gardens is being done by Enviroscape Ltd. The park on Sunderland Road was developed by Cedrick Smith and the bathrooms on Millennium Park and the park on Spitfire road were constructed by Davis Renovations and Landscaping Company."
Brent Symonette - FNM - St Anne's:
The Deputy Prime Minister did not break down exactly how much of the $200,000 he had allocated to date or who was paid for the work, however he gave a brief description of what the money was used for.
Mr Symonette utilised the funds to construct walking tracks in two parks and provide benches for three parks.
He also undertook the redevelopment of the East End point, the waterfront area opposite the Winton Fort and the waterfront area on Eastern Road and Prince Charles, landscaping pathways, installing planters, a drain and park benches.
Mr Symonette noted that a considerable number of drainage wells were also dug or cleaned throughout the area using the allowance funds.
"All of the work was supervised and signed off on by the Ministry of Works in line with price guidelines which they had established. I am still working on lighting for two parks which might have to be covered by the allowance," he added.
Hubert Minnis - FNM - Killarney:
The MP said the allocation was used towards signage in the community, including "welcome signs" for the entrances of Southwest Ridge, Rockcrusher and the Grove West, and repairing signage to Lake Cunningham. Beautification efforts were also funded, plants and flowers purchased and landscaping carried out around the signs. However, some of these were stolen, the MP said. Other funds were used to install speed bumps in South Westridge and benches at the Rockcrusher basketball court.
January 22, 2010
01222010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - part I
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part II
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part III
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
HERE is the fourth and final part of The Tribune's report on what MPs say they did with the $200,000 allocated for constituency enhancement projects in their constituencies in the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 budgets.
A number of MPs forwarded these details after requests were put to them before and after the Christmas holidays. Fewer than half of the MPs responded -- 15 FNMs and one PLP.
Earlier this week, The Tribune reported how Desmond Bannister (Carmichael), Carl Bethel (Seabreeze), Loretta Butler-Turner (Montagu), Larry Cartwright (Long Island and Ragged Island), Sidney Collie (Blue Hills), Earl Deveaux (Marathon), Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill), Hubert Ingraham (North Abaco), Zhivargo Laing (Marco City), Charles Maynard (Golden Isles), Branville McCartney (Bamboo Town) and Phenton Neymour (South Beach) said they utilised the funds in their constituencies. See www.tribune242.com for those details.
Brensil Rolle - FNM - Garden Hills:
Providing a list of the payments made from the constituency allowance in chronological order, Mr Rolle first noted that $19,000 was allocated towards the establishment of two learning centres designed to assist students with basic language, mathematics and science and Spanish language skills, and enable tutoring for homework assignments.
The MP donated funds from the allowance to several junkanoo groups, including $2,000 to the Prodigal Sons and $2,000 to Kingdom Warriors.
A further $6,000 was spent on a constituency clean-up campaign which had appliances, garbage and derelict vehicles removed by local contractors.
Under the Entrepreneurial Creative Straw Vendor Programme, Mr Rolle said two industrial sewing machines were purchased, instructors hired, and 50 people were trained in creative straw production. The funds also covered the purchase of materials for the classes. A total of $4,819.60 was spent on the programme. A subdivision clean-up campaign cleared debris from overgrown lots in the constituency at a cost of $6,050.
For $26,710 a Subdivision Entrance Landscaping Programme was undertaken. Trees were planted at "strategic intersections in the constituency to improve the ambiance at the entrance to subdivisions," Mr Rolle said.
As part of the after-school programme, three payments of $800 were made to the Cousin McPhee Cathedral, and $1,000 was paid to Kizzy McKinney, Pamela Murphy and Vanessa Rolle.
A second session of the Entrepreneurial Creative Straw Vendor Programme was funded by $3,200.
Another $1,000 donation was made to the Prodigal Sons junkanoo group.
The sum of $23,420 was committed to improvements to the public park in Pride Estates by contractor Hubert Styles. This project is awaiting approval by the Ministry of Public Works.
A $1,000 donation was made to the Kingdom Warriors junkanoo group.
A second clean-up campaign was carried out at a cost of $20,010.
And $200 was donated to each of the following seven churches that participated in a Senior Citizens Christmas programme: Cousin McPhee Cathedral, Good Samaritan Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Southwest church of God, Independence Church of God, Chapel on the Hill and Bible Truth Ministries.
The sum of $1,500 was allocated to those who catered to senior citizens during the event.
A Ms McQueen was paid $1,000 for her instruction as part of a Straw Craft Certification Programme in collaboration with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation that trained and certified 30 people. BAIC was paid $700.
The sum of $5,000 was spent on a special education programme for challenged students of Garden Hills. Students followed a special curriculum and received individual tuition during the six-month programme held from January to June 2009.
A further $2,128.50 was spent on the purchase of playground equipment for the Pride Estates Public Park. Donations of $2,000 each were made to the following public schools in the constituency: A F Adderley Jr High, S C McPherson Jr High, C W Sawyer Primary, and S C McPherson Jr High.
Materials and an instructor for a shell craft training programme were purchased for $4,000.
The sum of $19,128.50 was spent to allow 50 members of the constituency to participate in the Ministry of Agriculture's Backyard Farming Programme. $1,060 was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for subdivision drainage. Twenty subdivision signs were printed and erected in the constituency for $14,400.
Playground equipment for a public park in the constituency was purchased from Creative Kids for $12,061.50. The placement of three drainage wells in areas that experience serious flooding cost $18,000, paid to M and R Drilling and Well Construction.
Further junkanoo donations of $1,500 each were made to the Kingdom Warriors and the Prodigals Sons. Another clean-up campaign saw $2,320 paid to Old Har Investments.
Tommy Turnquest - FNM - Mount Moriah:
Minister Turnquest said he has committed contracts for the entire sum of $200,000 and essentially all the funds have been spent, or will be spent, on recreational parks in his constituency.
"I purchased materials and supplies (approximately $20,000) for three parks in yellow Elder Gardens; spending $80,000 plus on the big park in Stapledon Gardens and about $35,000 on the smaller parks on Sunderland Road and Spitfire Road. I spent $40,000 on bathroom facilities on the park in Millennium Gardens."
The rules governing how constituency allowance funds are spent do not demand that the contracts to provide the work, goods or services are put out to competitive tender, and Mr Turnquest noted that none of his contracts were.
"The parks in Yellow Elder were done by the prison work group as part of their community work. I provided the supplies and equipment to the prison and they had three quotes and sourced from the lowest quote. The big park in Stapledon Gardens is being done by Enviroscape Ltd. The park on Sunderland Road was developed by Cedrick Smith and the bathrooms on Millennium Park and the park on Spitfire road were constructed by Davis Renovations and Landscaping Company."
Brent Symonette - FNM - St Anne's:
The Deputy Prime Minister did not break down exactly how much of the $200,000 he had allocated to date or who was paid for the work, however he gave a brief description of what the money was used for.
Mr Symonette utilised the funds to construct walking tracks in two parks and provide benches for three parks.
He also undertook the redevelopment of the East End point, the waterfront area opposite the Winton Fort and the waterfront area on Eastern Road and Prince Charles, landscaping pathways, installing planters, a drain and park benches.
Mr Symonette noted that a considerable number of drainage wells were also dug or cleaned throughout the area using the allowance funds.
"All of the work was supervised and signed off on by the Ministry of Works in line with price guidelines which they had established. I am still working on lighting for two parks which might have to be covered by the allowance," he added.
Hubert Minnis - FNM - Killarney:
The MP said the allocation was used towards signage in the community, including "welcome signs" for the entrances of Southwest Ridge, Rockcrusher and the Grove West, and repairing signage to Lake Cunningham. Beautification efforts were also funded, plants and flowers purchased and landscaping carried out around the signs. However, some of these were stolen, the MP said. Other funds were used to install speed bumps in South Westridge and benches at the Rockcrusher basketball court.
January 22, 2010
01222010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - part I
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part II
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part III
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