THE PROTEST outside the House of Assembly yesterday. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A GROUP of people protested outside of the House of Assembly yesterday, calling for more transparency regarding the country’s natural resources.
One of the protestors, former talk show host Lincoln Bain, called on the government to release all documents relating to the country’s natural resources, specifically aragonite mining.
Mr Bain said for far too long, Bahamians have been disadvantaged by “people we trust” and “we’ve been left out” while few people have benefited.
“You told us that we had no natural resources and we trusted you,” he said, while in Rawson Square. “We believed you and we thought all we could do is make up some beds and serve some drinks because we had nothing.
“We are calling on the government to open investigations in this country immediately... as it relates to natural resources, especially our aragonite.
“We call on the FNM, this administration, to release all documents as it relates to our natural resources. We want to see all the leases.
“The companies, according to the law, was supposed to release reports of what they have been mining. By law, we want to see these reports… You promised us transparency.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 4 years ago
Not this stupid aragonite thing again....
In the real world its called sand. And it sells for 400 bucks a ton. Not exactly a money maker...
These people who keep biting the bait on this need to hush and go start their own mining operation. Lol. Then when they go broke this whole idiotic episode can just die out...
RealTalk 4 years ago
If it was not a 'money maker', why would you still be mining it after 40+ years?
If it was not a 'money maker', why invest tens of millions of dollars into equipment and labor?
If it was not 'money maker', why would you try to expand operations after 40+ years?
Just think about it. Don't assume everything on the internet is true. People lie, numbers don't.
Dawes 4 years ago
Of course there is money in it, just not the stupid amounts being said. Mr. Bain says that we should get $7,000 a ton, whilst i can go online and buy it for $4-500 a ton. And that is after all the expenses you just mentioned have been taken into account. So the profit is not $7,000 as Mr. Bain states. Sure we could charge $7,000, but no one will be buying it.
JokeyJack 4 years ago
And so what is your explanation for the secrecy with the contracts and money figures? If it is just cheap garbage as you suggest, why not just release the invoices and wire transfers and contracts to prove it ? Could this be another reason that we remain on EU blacklists? If so, I wonder why the EU won't help us out and reveal that they are concerned with the tens of millions being wired related to this? The more they cover up - the more people will have an interest.
SP 4 years ago
So they want the government to open investigations on "themselves" immediately??
Good luck with that!
Islangal1 4 years ago
When is election again? Every election there are major distractions then the bamboozle the people. I'm waiting for the PLP to jump on this bandwagon now, then get elected, then they sign off on the mining.
SP 4 years ago
NOBODY is stupid enough not to realize the PLP and FNM are co-partners with the mining pirates!
mandela 4 years ago
Protesters keep their feet to the fire, good work.
truetruebahamian 4 years ago
Everybody wants something for free without looking at the labour, production costs the restrictions involved and nobody really does the research to discover facts. Their argument all stems from assumption and conjecture without validity or substance.
JokeyJack 4 years ago
Yes, maybe we Bahamians should go down to Venezuela and start drilling oil and shipping it out - and when they complain just tell them "Everybody wants something for nothing. Don't you guys realize your oil is worthless? Please stop making noise over a silly distraction."
sheeprunner12 4 years ago
Go and find Ed aka "Tycoon" Curling for a comment ............. He wears his FNM red shirt proudly and will have a lot to say about the mining shenanigans for the past 30 years .......... LOL
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