The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

BAHA MAR executives said that none of the project's undertakings would harm or jeopardise the Bahamas' natural environment.

Bringing clarification on what an impending pipe laying exercise would mean for the Cable Beach area, Robert "Sandy" Sands, Senior Vice President of External and Governmental Affairs at Baha Mar said a tentative date had already been set to inform and update residents who may have concerns.

For now, the meeting, Mr Sands said, is set for July 15. That date is still to be confirmed.

Mr Sands said Goodman's Bay beach won't be closed at any point.

As it stands, 10,000 feet of pipe is to be installed between Long Cay and some point in the Western District of New Providence to transport water which would cool Baha Mar's air conditioning systems.

Mr Sands said: "Baha Mar wants to set the record straight. We support OTEC (Ocean Terminal Energy Corporation) for approvals and licences in the deep sea cooling project which when approved will help defray energy costs.

"To date, the project has not been approved and no work has commenced.

"I would like to clarify that (the installation can only) be done after approval or agreement of an environmental impact assessment."

Mr Sands said that Baha Mar was a good corporate citizen that was sensitive to the needs of the Bahamas' environment.

The project is being maintained at the highest quality which all Bahamians would be proud of when it is completed, Mr Sands said.

He was responding to Senator Jerome Gomez's comments in the upper chamber last Thursday which called on Baha Mar's executives to make the first steps in keeping residents of the surrounding communities informed of any forthcoming major works.

Mr Gomez said to his understanding, the exercise was forecast to cause the closure of Goodman's Bay beach for six months, one of few beaches which people still have access to.

He said: "Baha Mar has not advised residents nor have the residents been able to get any information on the project."

Mr Gomez further made a double appeal to the Environment Minister Kenred Dorsette to investigate the claims and to Baha Mar's executives to call a town meeting with Killarney residents.

"We must guard jealously and protect the few public beaches we have in New Providence," Mr Gomez said.