Calls made for Earl Deveaux to resign
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
CALLS were made yesterday for the resignation of Environment Minister Earl Deveaux over plans to develop Bell Island in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
Dr Deveaux said he was minded to approve plans submitted by Island of Discovery Limited, understood to be billionaire Islamic leader the Aga Khan. He also admitted accepting a free ride in the Aga Khan's helicopter to attend a film screening in Abaco before going on to Bell Island with BNT executives the next day.
However, former PLP MP Philip Smith said: "Does this sound familiar to anyone else?
"In late 2006, Shane Gibson, quite correctly, resigned from Cabinet in a similar matter involving a permanent residency permit for an American entertainer.
"Maybe when he tenders his resignation from Cabinet, Dr Deveaux will also tell the Bahamian public how much it will take to buy him since he claims he does not 'think a helicopter ride could buy' him.
"I look forward to reading the resignation statement; or failing this, the letter of dismissal from the Prime Minister."
Plans to dredge and excavate at least 8.8 acres of marine sand flats, rock and vegetation for two channels, 12ft and 14ft deep, a barge landing and 20 slip yacht basin, as well as roads across the 349-acre island, have been passed on to the BNT for their input, Dr Deveaux said.
But after they were revealed in The Tribune yesterday, conservationists opposed to any development in the park expressed further concerns over allegations the BNT accepted a $1 million donation from the Aga Khan last year.
Sam Duncombe, from conservation group reEarth, said: "By allowing development in the park, they are destroying the natural beauty, the ecological diversity and history associated with being the first marine park started in the world.
"Does a million dollars negate this critically important focus?
"If this is the case, the BNT hierarchy should resign immediately followed closely by the Minister for the Environment, because it's painfully clear that they have abandoned their directives."
BNT executive director Eric Carey refused to comment on whether the Trust accepted a donation from the Aga Khan, nor would he state the Trust's position on the Bell Island development despite being the usual spokesman for the Trust.
"This isn't an environmental issue anymore," Mr Carey said.
"It's getting too political.
"This requires input from the board so I will let the president know that a statement is expected and he will meet with his colleagues on the board to address all of the concerns that have been raised."
He said BNT president Neil McKinney is expected to return to Nassau next week.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by Florida consultants Turrel, Hall and Associates Ltd concluded the development would not have a significant environmental impact and the planning applications state "no negative environmental impacts expected".
But in an area where fishermen are arrested for taking anything within the 112.6 acre park, the possibility of approving plans to dredge and excavate in a zone that has been protected since 1958 has astounded former Exuma MP and PLP Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries George Smith.
He said: "We will arrest a Bahamian from Black Point who passes through the cays and catches a few fish, but we're going to let a man come in, because he's Mr So-and-so, and do dredging to 15ft?
"If it was John Brown from Long Island I think it would be a different story.
"I cannot envision that we would want to see that in the park, where after the dredging, the silt will settle on reefs and on shoals in an area that has not been disrupted from the day it was made a park."
September 15, 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 Dr. Earl Deveaux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr. Earl Deveaux. Show all posts
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
BPC Shares tumbled after the surprise announcement that the government was suspending consideration of exploration licences in The Bahamas
Govt's "no to oil" shock hits BPC shares
By SCOTT ARMSTRONG
Guardian Business Editor
scott@nasguard.com
twitter.com/guardianbiz:
Shares in the company dedicated to drilling for oil in The Bahamas have tumbled after the surprise announcement that the government was suspending consideration of exploration licences.
BPC was due tomorrow to change its name to Bahamas Petroleum Company, and had expressed its desire to be listed on the BISX so that shares in the company could be sold domestically. BPC believes there could be as much as$12 billion in oil revenue underneath Bahamian waters waiting to be brought up, specifically in the area called Cay Sal Bank.
The company estimates that an oil industry could create around 15,000 jobs for The Bahamas, and to that end teamed up with Norwegian oil giant Statoil, insisting their partner had created the highest safety standard in the world for drilling, one which every other exploration would soon be forced to follow in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico spill.
But despite the assurance that The Bahamas had the'safest'company on board, the Minister for the Environment Dr. Earl Deveaux yesterday put on hold the exploration licence process, saying the government wanted to make sure it had a stringent set of environmental rules in place before it considered applications, and added it would also review all existing licences.
In the wake of that announcement shares in BPC, which owns five exploration licences in Bahamian waters to the east of Florida and Cuba, fell by 27 percent from 4.08 pence to 2.98 pence on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market(AIM).
That took the estimated value of the company from$45 million to$39.4 million.
The move by The Bahamas follows the U.S. issue of a six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in July, after the explosion of a BP well caused the world's worst offshore oil accident.
BPC is reported to have said it would continue to analyse seismic data on its existing licences as it has not yet established a definitive drilling program.
A report on Reuters quoted the company as saying that drilling on BPC's Bahamian acreage did not face the same geological risks as those found in the Gulf of Mexico.
A spokesperson for Statoil told Reuters said the company was viewing the suspension as a"postponement".
BPC believes there could be multiple 500 million barrel fields in the 2.5 million acres it wants to explore.
Deveaux said yesterday: "The Ministry of the Environment has suspended consideration of all applications for oil exploration and drilling in the waters of The Bahamas. The ministry seeks, by this decision, to maintain and safeguard an unpolluted marine environment for The Bahamas notwithstanding the potential financial benefits of oil exploration.
"We are not seeking to interfere with any existing licenses and the people who have licenses know of the policy. The recent events showed us that(a)oil if it is to be found, will likely be in the marine environment and(b)we want to maintain an unpolluted environment.
"And so before we explore for oil we want to have the most stringent environmental protocols in place."
9/1/2010
thenassauguardian
By SCOTT ARMSTRONG
Guardian Business Editor
scott@nasguard.com
twitter.com/guardianbiz:
Shares in the company dedicated to drilling for oil in The Bahamas have tumbled after the surprise announcement that the government was suspending consideration of exploration licences.
BPC was due tomorrow to change its name to Bahamas Petroleum Company, and had expressed its desire to be listed on the BISX so that shares in the company could be sold domestically. BPC believes there could be as much as$12 billion in oil revenue underneath Bahamian waters waiting to be brought up, specifically in the area called Cay Sal Bank.
The company estimates that an oil industry could create around 15,000 jobs for The Bahamas, and to that end teamed up with Norwegian oil giant Statoil, insisting their partner had created the highest safety standard in the world for drilling, one which every other exploration would soon be forced to follow in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico spill.
But despite the assurance that The Bahamas had the'safest'company on board, the Minister for the Environment Dr. Earl Deveaux yesterday put on hold the exploration licence process, saying the government wanted to make sure it had a stringent set of environmental rules in place before it considered applications, and added it would also review all existing licences.
In the wake of that announcement shares in BPC, which owns five exploration licences in Bahamian waters to the east of Florida and Cuba, fell by 27 percent from 4.08 pence to 2.98 pence on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market(AIM).
That took the estimated value of the company from$45 million to$39.4 million.
The move by The Bahamas follows the U.S. issue of a six-month ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in July, after the explosion of a BP well caused the world's worst offshore oil accident.
BPC is reported to have said it would continue to analyse seismic data on its existing licences as it has not yet established a definitive drilling program.
A report on Reuters quoted the company as saying that drilling on BPC's Bahamian acreage did not face the same geological risks as those found in the Gulf of Mexico.
A spokesperson for Statoil told Reuters said the company was viewing the suspension as a"postponement".
BPC believes there could be multiple 500 million barrel fields in the 2.5 million acres it wants to explore.
Deveaux said yesterday: "The Ministry of the Environment has suspended consideration of all applications for oil exploration and drilling in the waters of The Bahamas. The ministry seeks, by this decision, to maintain and safeguard an unpolluted marine environment for The Bahamas notwithstanding the potential financial benefits of oil exploration.
"We are not seeking to interfere with any existing licenses and the people who have licenses know of the policy. The recent events showed us that(a)oil if it is to be found, will likely be in the marine environment and(b)we want to maintain an unpolluted environment.
"And so before we explore for oil we want to have the most stringent environmental protocols in place."
9/1/2010
thenassauguardian
Friday, July 23, 2010
How Is Your Member of Parliament Performing: Earl Deveaux - Marathon MP Gets Mixed Reviews
Is Your MP Performing "Marathon MP Gets Mixed Reviews"
BY KENDENO N. P. KNOWLES:
A Free National Movement (FNM) MP is receiving mixed reviews from some of his constituents. While some praised him for his work in the constituency, others who are not so happy, say he needs to do a lot more.
The Bahama Journal canvassed the Marathon constituency yesterday to get feedback from constituents on Dr. Earl Deveaux’s performance.
The first set of people to weigh in on Dr. Deveaux’s performance, said they were not at all pleased with the MP’s efforts.
While they did not have many complaints, the general consensus among residents was that Dr. Deveaux has not been very visible in the area.
They also claimed that there had been little to no improvement in the constituency.
"There have not been any major improvements in this area. I have not even met the MP for this area since I’ve been living here," said Alpheus Bevans, who has lived in the constituency for three years.
Carolmae Pratt echoed similar sentiments. In fact, she didn’t mince words when assessing her MP’s performance.
"I haven’t seen him in this constituency and it has almost been three years since the last election. I only see him on TV. I am waiting until the next election campaign for him and his team to come to my door step. When they come to my house I will tell them that I don’t want to have anything to do with them," Ms. Pratt said.
"When Ron Pinder was the MP for this area, I saw him with my own eyes on the garbage truck helping to collect garbage and to beautify the area."
Another resident who spoke with the Bahama Journal on the condition of anonymity said she is disheartened by the fact that the MP who promised so much to the constituency "failed to deliver."
She said she is a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporter, but voted for Mr. Deveaux in the last election.
She said she now questions whether she made the right decision.
"I believe in giving everyone a chance and that is just what I did with Dr. Deveaux. He has put some pavements in place but that’s all I have seen happening here. Additionally, I don’t even know him that well because he doesn’t even come around to the constituency. I think he needs to come out of the House of Assembly and speak with his constituents," she said.
But, while those constituents were not too happy with Dr. Deveaux’s performance, there were a whole lot more constituents who were more than pleased with his work.
In fact, other residents credited the MP for a beautification programme that has been in place for some time now.
The Journal later visited the Regency Park and Danottage Estates area, which is separated by a few blocks.
Residents there credited Dr. Deveaux for improved roadworks, sidewalks, new water pipelines and a host of other upgrades.
"He repaved the roads, put down new water lines and some other things he’s done are commendable. I think he is doing what is necessary," said Charles Fisher, a Regency Park resident.
"I have been living here for about 11 years now and I think he is best one I have seen for a long time. He makes sure that the streets are cleaned almost every day. The streets were actually just cleaned on Wednesday morning," Jesus Uriz said in support of Dr. Deveaux’s work.
Lloyd Dorsett, a resident of Danottage Estates, said he hopes to see more of Dr. Deveaux. However, he said the MP’s work in the constituency speaks for itself.
"I haven’t seen him for a while, but he seems to be having things in order around here. Everything has been kept tidy and that speaks to Dr. Deveaux’s work in the area," he said.
"I haven’t seen him regularly, but he’s been working. He came around and tried to get the place cleaned up and I think that’s commendable," said Cleveland Knowles.
"He has performed admirably over the last three years and I will definitely support him in the next general election."
And while the country’s next general election is just two years away, those that didn’t think the MP was performing admirably said they would wait to see what the MP will do in that time.
The constituents who said they were pleased with the way Dr. Deveaux has kept the area say they will be sure to re-elect him in 2012.
July 22nd, 2010
jonesbahamas
BY KENDENO N. P. KNOWLES:
A Free National Movement (FNM) MP is receiving mixed reviews from some of his constituents. While some praised him for his work in the constituency, others who are not so happy, say he needs to do a lot more.
The Bahama Journal canvassed the Marathon constituency yesterday to get feedback from constituents on Dr. Earl Deveaux’s performance.
The first set of people to weigh in on Dr. Deveaux’s performance, said they were not at all pleased with the MP’s efforts.
While they did not have many complaints, the general consensus among residents was that Dr. Deveaux has not been very visible in the area.
They also claimed that there had been little to no improvement in the constituency.
"There have not been any major improvements in this area. I have not even met the MP for this area since I’ve been living here," said Alpheus Bevans, who has lived in the constituency for three years.
Carolmae Pratt echoed similar sentiments. In fact, she didn’t mince words when assessing her MP’s performance.
"I haven’t seen him in this constituency and it has almost been three years since the last election. I only see him on TV. I am waiting until the next election campaign for him and his team to come to my door step. When they come to my house I will tell them that I don’t want to have anything to do with them," Ms. Pratt said.
"When Ron Pinder was the MP for this area, I saw him with my own eyes on the garbage truck helping to collect garbage and to beautify the area."
Another resident who spoke with the Bahama Journal on the condition of anonymity said she is disheartened by the fact that the MP who promised so much to the constituency "failed to deliver."
She said she is a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporter, but voted for Mr. Deveaux in the last election.
She said she now questions whether she made the right decision.
"I believe in giving everyone a chance and that is just what I did with Dr. Deveaux. He has put some pavements in place but that’s all I have seen happening here. Additionally, I don’t even know him that well because he doesn’t even come around to the constituency. I think he needs to come out of the House of Assembly and speak with his constituents," she said.
But, while those constituents were not too happy with Dr. Deveaux’s performance, there were a whole lot more constituents who were more than pleased with his work.
In fact, other residents credited the MP for a beautification programme that has been in place for some time now.
The Journal later visited the Regency Park and Danottage Estates area, which is separated by a few blocks.
Residents there credited Dr. Deveaux for improved roadworks, sidewalks, new water pipelines and a host of other upgrades.
"He repaved the roads, put down new water lines and some other things he’s done are commendable. I think he is doing what is necessary," said Charles Fisher, a Regency Park resident.
"I have been living here for about 11 years now and I think he is best one I have seen for a long time. He makes sure that the streets are cleaned almost every day. The streets were actually just cleaned on Wednesday morning," Jesus Uriz said in support of Dr. Deveaux’s work.
Lloyd Dorsett, a resident of Danottage Estates, said he hopes to see more of Dr. Deveaux. However, he said the MP’s work in the constituency speaks for itself.
"I haven’t seen him for a while, but he seems to be having things in order around here. Everything has been kept tidy and that speaks to Dr. Deveaux’s work in the area," he said.
"I haven’t seen him regularly, but he’s been working. He came around and tried to get the place cleaned up and I think that’s commendable," said Cleveland Knowles.
"He has performed admirably over the last three years and I will definitely support him in the next general election."
And while the country’s next general election is just two years away, those that didn’t think the MP was performing admirably said they would wait to see what the MP will do in that time.
The constituents who said they were pleased with the way Dr. Deveaux has kept the area say they will be sure to re-elect him in 2012.
July 22nd, 2010
jonesbahamas
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Bahamas Government considers strong action to adequately address the disposal of carbon-polluting items such as motor vehicles, tires and appliances
Environmental levy would be beneficial, minister says
By JIMENITA SWAIN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com:
The government is serious about taking strong action to adequately address the disposal of carbon-polluting items such as motor vehicles, tires and appliances, Minister of the Environment Dr. Earl Deveaux said yesterday.
The pledge to impose environmental levies was made recently in the Speech from the Throne.
Under the proposal, a $150 levy would be tacked on for an imported vehicle less than three years old and $200 for a vehicle over three years old. Fifteen dollars would be attached to washing machines; $15 to dryers; $10 to televisions and $10 to mattresses, among other items.
"At this point the levy will go into a special account and that will help defray the cost of eventual disposal whether it be to export it, to recycle it or to compress it or compact it," Deveaux said.
"You will have a dedicated stream of funding that would enable you to dispose of this thing that eventually needs to be disposed of."
A major concern at this point in New Providence is maintaining the landfill to make use of the 50-year life cycle, he said.
He added that the landfill should be managed in a way so that there could be income generated from recyclable material, which in essence would extend the life of the landfill.
The aim is to convert the waste to useful energy, Deveaux explained.
He noted that in 2003 the government approved a tipping fee at the solid waste facilities.
"That tipping fee was imposed on all solid waste coming into the New Providence facility and when that tipping fee was approved in the regulations, the schedule actually had attached to it another set of items that would attract an environmental levy," Deveaux explained.
Those items included, washers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, vehicles, all type of tires from cars, trucks, and motorcycles, the minister said.
"There is a schedule attached to each of them that indicates a cost for disposal. The idea is that when these items are imported into the country, brand new or used, attached to the cost of importing would be a levy that would be used to dispose of them when they are eventually disposed of," he said.
There are any number of derelict vehicles around New Providence and unless the market is good, he said the cars simply litter the landscape.
"When the fire broke out at the [derelict vehicle facility] a few months ago there were 400,000 tires there. Unless we have a means of converting them to energy of some sort or recycling them in some way, they harbor mosquitos, rodents and are a real issue to the public health," Deveaux said.
"...When somebody's refrigerator, washer, dryer, or any appliance reaches its useful life, many of them end up in the back of yards, many of them end up in the forests, some of them that are collected end up at the dump."
April 27, 2010
thenassauguardian
By JIMENITA SWAIN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ jimenita@nasguard.com:
The government is serious about taking strong action to adequately address the disposal of carbon-polluting items such as motor vehicles, tires and appliances, Minister of the Environment Dr. Earl Deveaux said yesterday.
The pledge to impose environmental levies was made recently in the Speech from the Throne.
Under the proposal, a $150 levy would be tacked on for an imported vehicle less than three years old and $200 for a vehicle over three years old. Fifteen dollars would be attached to washing machines; $15 to dryers; $10 to televisions and $10 to mattresses, among other items.
"At this point the levy will go into a special account and that will help defray the cost of eventual disposal whether it be to export it, to recycle it or to compress it or compact it," Deveaux said.
"You will have a dedicated stream of funding that would enable you to dispose of this thing that eventually needs to be disposed of."
A major concern at this point in New Providence is maintaining the landfill to make use of the 50-year life cycle, he said.
He added that the landfill should be managed in a way so that there could be income generated from recyclable material, which in essence would extend the life of the landfill.
The aim is to convert the waste to useful energy, Deveaux explained.
He noted that in 2003 the government approved a tipping fee at the solid waste facilities.
"That tipping fee was imposed on all solid waste coming into the New Providence facility and when that tipping fee was approved in the regulations, the schedule actually had attached to it another set of items that would attract an environmental levy," Deveaux explained.
Those items included, washers, dryers, refrigerators, microwaves, vehicles, all type of tires from cars, trucks, and motorcycles, the minister said.
"There is a schedule attached to each of them that indicates a cost for disposal. The idea is that when these items are imported into the country, brand new or used, attached to the cost of importing would be a levy that would be used to dispose of them when they are eventually disposed of," he said.
There are any number of derelict vehicles around New Providence and unless the market is good, he said the cars simply litter the landscape.
"When the fire broke out at the [derelict vehicle facility] a few months ago there were 400,000 tires there. Unless we have a means of converting them to energy of some sort or recycling them in some way, they harbor mosquitos, rodents and are a real issue to the public health," Deveaux said.
"...When somebody's refrigerator, washer, dryer, or any appliance reaches its useful life, many of them end up in the back of yards, many of them end up in the forests, some of them that are collected end up at the dump."
April 27, 2010
thenassauguardian
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