By Morgan Adderley
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Interim Leader Chris Mortimer called for a pause, immediate review, and potential cancellation of the Oban Energies Refinery deal in a statement released Friday.
With these remarks, Mr Mortimer joins the Official Opposition and environmental activists groups that have also criticised the Minnis Administration for the agreement that has been the centre of national controversy in recent weeks.
Mr Mortimer likened the situation to the mistakes made by the Christie Administration in 2012, especially surrounding the “failed” Gambling Referendum of 2013.
In January 2013, then prime minister Perry Christie told reporters that he “had no horse in the race” regarding the referendum.
Referring to this quote, Mr Mortimer said, “Scores of Bahamians believed otherwise”.
Mr Mortimer noted that six years later, the populace is once again questioning whether someone in their government indeed has “a horse in the race” surrounding an issue of national concern.
Consequently, Mr Mortimer said the Bahamian people must be suffering “flashbacks” at experiencing another government caught “in a web of inaccuracies, half truths, misstatements and fraud.”
“The most unsettling part is that the revelations are still coming.”
Mr Mortimer also listed Oban project’s scandals thus far.
These include the fact that the Minnis Administration has “endorsed a project replete with unsavoury characters,” and that the Heads of Agreement have been purportedly signed on three separate occasions.
Mr Mortimer also cited the fact that Oban has no previous experience in the oil refining business and that nearly 700 acres of Crown Land has been given away for the project.
Furthermore, the company will be exempt from paying taxes other businesses are subject to paying.
In a sixth point, Mr Mortimer added that the government does not have a completed report on the impact the Oban project will have on the environment.
He also referred to the fact that the government has relinquished all rights to terminate the Heads of Agreement with Oban Energies, even if the project will have a detrimental impact on the environment.
In view of these concerns, the DNA called for all activity surrounding the project to be paused until the identity of all parties involved can be ascertained.
The party also demanded a review of the parts of the deal that offers no protection for the environment — calling these clauses “insane”.
Furthermore, the party called for the “immediate review and if necessary cancellation” of this “Oban fiasco”.
Comments
abe 6 years, 8 months ago
referendum?
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bogart 6 years, 8 months ago
In governance the terms business confidence is cruvial for all possible investors. At this particular time Freeport needs all the help and envouragement to do better. Economics 101 Failure to understand is failure to govern
birdiestrachan 6 years, 8 months ago
The gaming bill and Oban has no comparison. the numbers business was going no where. the government collecting taxes from it is the right thing. Persons who gambled before continue to do so.
The Oban contract is different 45 years. a million dollars for acers of beach front property They will build one beach front house for a million dollars. not only a oil refinery. but also real estate. in 45 years a million dollars will be a pittance.
Sir in your comparison, you seem to be not to far off from doc.if you
sheeprunner12 6 years, 8 months ago
Has Mortimer renovated his Galleria cinemas yet?????? ........ He needs to fix that dump first before worrying about OBAN ...... That is above his pay grade.
athlete12 6 years, 8 months ago
your biggest concern for Bahamians is Galleria Cinema?
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 8 months ago
Please, ignore the sheeprunner's post. He's an FNM hack with no general concern for country.. Only for his FNM party.
Truism 6 years, 8 months ago
Waiting to hear someone declare this a good deal and enunciate the terms which makes this a good deal cause the rest of us only have the HOA to go on.
athlete12 6 years, 8 months ago
Why don't we borrow money to send our own people to become experts in oil refineries and natural resources? If we see an industry beneficial to our people why simply have them educated in it. This why I believe we're so far behind. We've gotten in the habit of hire investors and consultants to do half jobs for us and take 2% of the profit.
This deal needs to be shut down. Yes, Freeport is in dire need of jobs but getting in bed with the devil will only screw us in the long run, again.
There no quick fixes to what this country is facing.
TalRussell 6 years, 8 months ago
Talk bouts fringe party's Interim leader Comrade Chris's returning from extended sabbatical leave away from commenting on political events...... likes, where the DNA been for last two months... and remember that $150,000 green party colours painted bus Bran secured party, where it gone... if by chance you just happens come in contact bus - honk ya horn at driver.
Baha10 6 years, 8 months ago
The only way to save Grand Bahama and perhaps our whole crime ridden Nation is with many more Investment Projects, but who in their right mind would want to “help” us given the ungratefulness the Oban and Harbour Island Project have received. I just hope the Money behind both Projects are prepared to stay the course and understand we are imploading from within as Victims of our home grown Black Crab Syndrome.
Bonefishpete 6 years, 8 months ago
DNA even a thing in 2018?
sheeprunner12 6 years, 8 months ago
BOL ...... My point exactly ....... That ship has sailed ............. and it took the lighthouse with it.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 8 months ago
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licks2 6 years, 8 months ago
This man just don't have what it takes. . .WHAT IS HE SAYING?? wHAT A JUVENILE STATEMENT. . .NOT ONE FIT FOR OUR 21 CENTURY POLITICAL MINDS. . .GO HOME DUDE!! THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH HIS "SHAMBOLIC" RUNNING ON IS. . . .DID HE COME UP WITH THIS OR DID HIS VP. . .IF IT IS HIM. . .HE NEEDS TO GET OUTTA THE WAY AND LET THAT WOMAN LEAD. . .OR STOP TAKING ADVICE FROM THAT MOSS MAN. . .OR L. BAIN. . .HE EEN MAKING MUCH SENSE!! STILL PLAYING DUMB POLITICAL GAMES OF YESTERYEAR. . .YEARS GONE BY! THEY MUSSIE DON'T KNOW THAT 2022 IS JUST ABOUT FOUR LIL YEARS AWAY. . .NO TIME FOR BS AROUND. . .
Emac 6 years, 8 months ago
Yep, as usual we try to shoot the messenger and ignore the message.
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