MP: I CONSIDERED BREAKING THE LAW – Miller understands people removing trees in Carmichael

ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller.

As of Friday, May 6, 2022

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ENVIRONMENT Minister Vaughn Miller expressed empathy for people who have been unlawfully removing trees in the Carmichael area yesterday, saying he too once considered illegally acquiring Crown land due to frustration with the grant system.

His comment came as environmental officials expressed concern about the deforestation activities in the southern area of New Providence.

Danielle Hanek, the Acting Director of Forestry, said officials estimate that 500 acres of land have been cleared since last July and officials are searching for the culprits who will be subject to penalties.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Miller urged those cutting down the trees to “cease and desist”, but said he understands the factors driving them to do so.

“Firstly, Crown land is not a part of the Ministry of Environment, but I would like to speak to the issue in terms of what is happening,” he said. “I understand, I saw this day coming. I’ve heard conversations in the past, I’ve been a part of conversations, persons were upset, persons who were very concerned because the perception was that Haitians or Haitian Bahamians or persons of Haitian descent were allowed to live on Crown land without permission. So, if they’re allowed to do it in my country then as a Bahamian I must be able to do the same thing. I’ve entertained the thoughts of acting in a similar manner. I decided not to, it was not in the best interest of the country. The best way to do it was to abide by the process.

“From the church, we applied two or three times, we were denied. Then we were offered in another area which we were not interested in. And so I understand the frustrations of Bahamians who have been denied or have never been answered or responded to. I fully understand their frustrations. What I’ve found out since, what I thought were persons just building on Crown land without permission is really in many instances Bahamians who have Crown land grants and are leasing to persons. Obviously that’s a violation of the grant, that’s a violation of the conditions of a grant and this problem is a vexing one. It’s successive administrations, Bahamians crying out, ‘deal with this issue’ and now that we’re in office it’s now our problem and we must deal with it.

“The way forward is obviously, persons in terms of speaking to the issue of deforestation, they are Bahamians and from what I’ve been hearing is they are Bahamians who are frustrated and who felt the same way I felt, they’re doing what I opted not to do. I made a fundamental decision not to take that route but they obviously opted to take that route. I wish to encourage them to cease and desist. I understand their frustration. I understand the frustrations, the frustrations are real, legitimate, genuine, I fully understand it, but I cannot condone the breaking of the laws, I cannot condone the illegal occupation.”

Ms Hanek said people have been clearing down protected trees, including the Pine tree and the Silver Top tree, which have national importance and significance.

She said: “Your fresh water resources are a priority of any government and so these areas, it’s always been determined that these are the reserves for such. Many people say I can’t eat a pine tree. No, but you need one to breathe, you need one to have fresh water. If you use a public water system, public well or you have your own private well, that is all regenerated from these areas, as well as soil erosions (and) air quality, meaning the increase of dust, the increase of heat temperature, these are all effects that will affect people in these communities.”

“What has been lost in less than a few months will take at least thirty to forty years to recover to its full functioning capabilities.”

The Minnis administration passed several major environmental laws that expand the government’s ability to impose penalties on people who break environmental laws, including the Environmental Protection Act and the Ministry of Environment Act.

Mr Miller, however, said there is concern that the ministry lacks the manpower needed to properly enforce such laws.

“There’s a concern generally speaking in terms of the laws that are in place but the enforcement of those laws, a lot of persons question it and in our case we do our best. As it relates to forestry, in terms of what is happening presently when it comes to evidence, of course, persons aren’t going to come forth and say, yes, we pushed down some trees, yes we cleared the land, it’s us (who have to compile the evidence).

Mr Miller said a director in the Department of Environmental Planning has told him at least 10 to 15 workers are needed immediately.

Ms Hanek, meanwhile, said her department requested a budget to hire 20 people during last year’s budget exercise, but only got enough to hire two people.

“We do need more staff,” she said. “We are currently in the hiring process so I do support the minister’s plea, especially persons from the SIS programme at UB. It’s the Small Island Sustainability programme, we are looking for officers and we are looking to establish our offices.”

AnObserver 2 years, 7 months ago

How exactly can you clear 500 acres of forest, in a densely populated place, over the course of nearly a year, and authorities are still searching for the culprits?

moncurcool 2 years, 7 months ago

Exactly!

longgone 2 years, 7 months ago

The blind leading the blind!!

The_Oracle 2 years, 7 months ago

If the law says land can be granted, even sold or leased but Government for decades has only released it for the politically connected, or by whim of a minister, what other result could you expect? Laws must be obeyed from the top down and enforced unilaterally or the country falls apart. Tribal rule is loved by those in good favor, despised by those not, but we flip those positions every 5 years and seem satisfied.

JokeyJack 2 years, 7 months ago

Perfect example is what is going on right now in British Virgin Islands (saying that don't want UK take-over, would rather have theft). That's us in 10 years with the way our kids are being raised.

Sickened 2 years, 7 months ago

Just another big issue that no government cares to deal with. So again the laws are ignored by those in charge. In our Bahamas all you have to do to get away with ANYTHING is to say you're poor. Sickening!

bahamianson 2 years, 7 months ago

Well , if you lack the manpower, go to NIB because it has millions of people walking around aimlessly with no work to do and overstaffed. Take some employees from there ghat are paid with our money. Every govermental ag3ncy is grossly over staffed, yet the complaint is, we do not have enough people. Confusing, very confusing.

JokeyJack 2 years, 7 months ago

"“Firstly, Crown land is not a part of the Ministry of Environment, but..."

**** Oh cool !!! So now I know where I can dump my old oil when I change the oil in my car. This is good news for me - thank you sir.

" I’ve entertained the thoughts of acting in a similar manner. I decided not to, it was not in the best interest of the country. The best way to do it was to abide by the process...."

Okay - the best interest of the country is to "abide by the process" of Haitians taking away OUR land acre by acre and keep our mouths shut and do nothing. Ok, I hear ya. I wonder if you deal with all of your personal problems that way. Do you ever take a bath if you smell stink? Just asking.

"Obviously that’s a violation of the grant, that’s a violation of the conditions of a grant and this problem is a vexing one....."

Oh - ok - so It's a violation - but there is NOTHING you can do about it, like take the land back. Oh ok. Are there any violations that Bahamians are allowed to make without consequence? Please let me know that we have at least ONE.

"I fully understand it, but I cannot condone the breaking of the laws, I cannot condone the illegal occupation....."

Okay - so you can't condone it if it's Bahamians doing it - we understand.

"Mr Miller, however, said there is concern that the ministry lacks the manpower needed to properly enforce such laws....."

Again, are there any OTHER laws that we and the Haitians can break due to your lack of manpower???? Breaking laws can sometimes be fun - let us know so we can have some fun this weekend. What about destroying other people's property? I have a nasty neighbor I would like revenge on. Can I destroy his property and get away with it because you don't have manpower? I won't do anything until I get the go ahead from you. Thanks for any assistance.

Seriously, though, we as Bahamians need to get a list from government of all the laws we are allowed to break, or if none, then a list of all the other nationalities in the world and which laws each of them are allowed to break - that way we don't get frustrated and upset and people doing things that they are actually entitled to do.

jus2cents 2 years, 7 months ago

I fear this country is doomed, people behaving selfishly everywhere you look, their children will reap what they sow, and it wont be pretty.

Just such sad state of affairs, everyone just passing the buck. But passing the buck is a way of life in a bureaucracy such as ours.

sheeprunner12 2 years, 7 months ago

Vaughn Miller is from Green Castle, South Eleuthera ........... anyone familiar with that part of the island knows that there are THOUSANDS of acres of land there for free.

Miller needs to go back to his island home and build that up ........ like another 150,000 people who claim to be from Nassau, but are from other islands ............. GO HOME!!!!!!!

Now, the bigger issue for the Government to address is - the illegal Haitians in shanty towns who are squatting on Crown Land along Carmichael Road, Marshall, & Cowpen Roads etc. .......... They need to be SENT HOME!!!!!!

JokeyJack 2 years, 7 months ago

It all comes down to employment. Employers need to do one month in jail for every one they are found employing. Some building contractors would be sentenced to 2 years or more.

tribanon 2 years, 7 months ago

Where do you propose Snake should go? LMAO

sheeprunner12 2 years, 7 months ago

Good question about Snake ............... he will soon become an anaconda wrapped around the Government (PLP or FNM) ........ He's out of control.

The fuel imports, and now the low-cost home sub-division monopolies are too much to give to one man/conglomerate. Snake & Sebas own our politicians.

DWW 2 years, 7 months ago

didn't have much respect for this guy before. Now I have none at all. Say what? And why is there not a proper system for how Crown land is dealt with? What's that now? Oh, there is one and it involves either sweethearts or large campaign contributions. Ever heard about the sweet deal Ping's sweetheart ended up with? talk about rags to riches.

TalRussell 2 years, 7 months ago

Comrades, if all this makes total sense to you, well ... it just goes-to ... ..
unless such a mentality held by a crown minister does affects me ... then haven't you just worsen an already bad situation by adding bitterness fuel to light a path to reconciliation, truth, and justice for an extremely large sector PopoulacesOfVictims ... singled out by ministerial recklessly loose tongue. ― Yes?

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