BASH director Terry Miller. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AN environmental advocate has said it is “perplexing” that the government is set to demolish a “valuable ecosystem” at the site of the new $290m hospital in New Providence.
Terry Miller, executive director of the Bahamas Association for Social Health and founder of EARTH Village, hit back at Minister of State for the Environment Zane Lightbourne, who had downplayed concerns over deforestation at the site.
“It is perplexing that with all of the less sensitive pine forests still on the island of New Providence, that the government insists on demolishing such a valuable ecosystem,” said Mr Miller.
Mr Miller previously urged the government to halt the hospital project, citing concerns over the destruction of the Perpall Tract Wellfield, which he describes as “the most ecologically sensitive area” in New Providence.
Mr Lightbourne acknowledged deforestation is a common aspect of development but emphasised the need to balance development with environmental protection. He said officials are working closely with environmentalists to minimise negative impacts.
However, Mr Miller said: “I will say this unequivocally, you sir and your administration are presiding over the destruction of the most eco-sensitive piece of environmental real estate on the island of New Providence and arguably the most diverse natural native flora garden in the country, with more than 1/5 of all the plants native to The Bahamas in a space less than 200 acres.”
He added: “What frustrates me in these situations is that the people who are in place to oversee the protection of these spaces either they fall asleep during the discussion, they put their heads in the sand and hum lullabies, or they’re out to lunch.”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has received approval from the Ministry of the Environment to proceed with the hospital’s construction.
Concerns have also been raised previously about the level of flooding at the hospital site, while medical workers have questioned where the staff will come from in order to work at the hospital itself.
Comments
empathy 2 months ago
This project is a BAD IDEA.
We are a very small country, in terms of population, land mass and finances. I hope the Cabinet will rethink their decision before it’s too late. Our successive governments, of all stripes, need to coordinate their medium and long term projects to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness both financially and to our very sensitive environment.
Dawes 2 months ago
They promised a new hospital, so when they got a chance they looked at a map of New Providence and saw a lot of vacant land in that spot and said they should build there. No consideration of the environment or what the land was like. now they have to do it and environmental damage be dammed. Bit like Minnis with his middle class project in the swamp off prospect. But he lost before he could do that.
ThisIsOurs 2 months ago
The most shocking thing to me was hearing a spokesperson for Climate Change speak so enthusiastically about what Climate Change was and its impact but literally clueless about current natural assets and any threat to them. Then closing the appearance as a cheerleader announcing Brave Davis had another speaking engagement.
I honestly do not under Brave Davis. Theoreticatlly he knows protecting the environment is important but Our environment is being destroyed right in front of him and he's just pronouncing words.
"Lightbourne acknowledged deforestation is a common aspect of development but emphasised the need to balance development with environmental protection"
Please Mr Lightbourne give us a report on this "balance", island by island with maps. How much forest wetlands beaches and hills are left and will remain undisturbed? How much of it will be free of mega development and available to the Bahamian public for eco exploration? And how much has been destroyed like Esau in the last ten years for a bowl of porridge? Please tell us.
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