The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A North Andros businessman says he is not necessarily opposed to a free trade zone on the island although the present proposal is seeking too much land.

William Pratt, part-owner of North Andros Automotive Parts Store, said the concept of creating a free-trade zone on the island had been mulled since the days of Sir Lynden Pindling's administration.

"I know some time time ago a free-trade zone was proposed when Darrell Rolle was the MR for the North Andros constituency. A free-trade zone had been proposed then for the Morgan's Bluff area. That was set and ready to go and, after the 1992 election, the political change changed all of that," he recalled.

"It's more like a slap in the face to tell us that Andros would not be a free-trade zone, because politically we have been slapped backward and forward from each government.

"Every time someone proposes something, the government changes every five years, and if they don't implement it before they leave office, then the incoming government does nothing about it."

Mr Pratt said he was not against the concept, but only the size of the present proposal by Los Angeles-based billionaire philanthropist, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong.

"I am not in favour of the project in its form, but I don't oppose North Andros being a free-trade zone. The current proposal is asking for too much land and we have to question who is behind all of this," Mr Pratt said.

"We have a proposal from the Chinese investor (Dr Soon-Shiong), and then we have a proposal from the former US ambassador (Ned Siegel), and then we have a project from the Symonette Group.

"Even though they may appear to be three separate projects, the Morgan's Bluff free-trade zone and the aggregate mining project seem to overlap. When you look at the 500,000 acres of land, it takes up the majority of North Andros. They seem to overlap, so tell me if those two are business partners?"

Mr Pratt continued: "My objection to the Symonette Group project is something very few people understand. That aggregate they are digging for, they are digging miles into the pine forest.

"They are in the main pine forest and they will be digging 30-40 feet down in our fresh water lens. This is not like a canal that leads out to the ocean, but these are big holes in the back of the land off of the main road, maybe three or four miles into the pine forest and into the well fields."

Mr Pratt, who is also a retired employee of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC), said he attended a meeting three years ago with Cameron Symonette and one of his partners from the US to discuss the aggregate mining project.

"We rejected that project then. Now they brought it back. I highly oppose the project in its form, and I would agree with the free-trade zone, if it is properly structured and Bahamians are involved," he added.

Dennis Adderley, owner of Andros Distributors, told Tribune Business: "They don't need to be giving away any of the land, because some of that land belongs to me. That project isn't making any sense. They come here and they want all of this land, and only want to offer us a few jobs?

"This is Andros and we are used to punishment. The fish is jumping in the creek and crab is walking, so money is making. You can't allow people to come in and buy up everything."

Dr Hubert Minnis, in his national address on Sunday, promised that his administration will not permit a free trade zone's development in North Andros nor the sell-off of vast tracts of land to international investors.

Tribune Business understands Dr Soon-Shiong's ambitions have been significantly scaled-down in size compared to the 500,000 acres detailed in the initial proposal, and would require a much smaller footprint - especially since it would only be developed in stages should it receive the go-ahead from the government.

Nevertheless, Dr Minnis said: "In the draft proposal there are concepts for the development of half a million acres of land, aragonite harvesting, medical research facilities, air and seaports, and other developments.

"The proposal has not been formally analysed nor reviewed to determine its viability, nor has it been presented to the National Economic Council (meaning the Cabinet) for consideration....... My government has not approved the proposal."

Accusing the opposition of "misusing" revelations about the North Andros Green Free Trade Zone proposal "to sow confusion in our country", the Prime Minister promised: "Let me be very clear for all to hear. This government will not grant a free trade zone in Andros.

"We welcome Bahamian and foreign investors submitting proposals that are win-wins for the people of The Bahamas and for the investors. At this time of great economic hardship we need all the appropriate investment we can get. However, my government will not approve concepts from Bahamians or foreigners we think are not in the best interest of the Bahamian people."