Bahama Rock Turns Up the Heat
FELIX SANDS WRITES FROM GRAND BAHAMA
Bahama Rock is a mining company seeking government’s approval to mine aggregate at the entrance of Freeport Harbour. The area in question sits on the old Bahamas Cement Company site encompassing more than 270 acres of land at the entrance of Freeport Harbour. The company borders Eight Mile Rock community on the westside of the harbour entrance. On the other side of the harbour sits the Pinders Point, Lewis Yard, and Hunters communities. Together, they form the largest settlements in the Bahamas outside of Nassau.
The topographic maps of this area shows the average land level height of 2 to 6 ft above sea level. This area is flat and vulnerable to storm surge. This was vividly demonstrated with the passage of hurricane Wilma on October 24th, 2005. This fast moving storm brought truck size Boulders, and all manner of debris, from the ocean’s floor onto the ‘Front Street’ of the Eight Mile Rock Community; and subsequently, destroyed many homes, severely damaged others, and unearthed many graves. The caskets floated freely throughout the communities. Thankfully, this was a fast-moving storm. ‘Lest’ we forget the lessons learned.
Bahama Rock turned up the pressure last week; the company seeks government permission to dig a hole in the ground 60 ft. deep over a 270-Acre track of land bringing that great a volume of water into a major population Center. Creating man made risk that places the health and safety of scores of families in this area is both reckless and dangerous. Communities already vulnerable to severe storm surge is a dangerous Gamble. The calamities consequence is not worth the risk of one human life. Bahama Rock through its past actions have shown the people of Grand Bahama who they are. Profits before people.
The company has further stated that if they are not given the approvals by September 18th, the company will commence laying off the hourly workers which are estimated to be 70 persons. What a persuasive threat!
Weather forecasters now have computer models that will show you the the outcome of weather probability. They show probabilities of outcome of what will happen. The lesson of hurricane Wilma showed us an outcome that did not have a 60 ft. hole in the ground in 2005. The lesson of hurricane Dorian, 2nd September, 2019 taught us that hurricanes can stall over Islands and, by extension, communities. Loved ones were simply swept away by water. The area in question does not need human intervention in creating additional risk for loss of life and property damage.
Digging a hole in the ground in the heart of the Eight Mile Rock Community is a portrait of a company that has lost its soul. This, then, is proof positive that the only thing that motivates Bahama Rock is profits. In these Isles of The Bahamas, people are still more important than profits.
Finally, I am old enough to remember people demonstrating on Sunrise Highway between Bahama Princess and the International Bazaar saying it was Tomfoolery to block off West Sunrise Highway and put a man-made beach in the middle of a major thoroughfare. At the time, it was said that the demonstrators that opposed the project were running away investors. Today, the taxpayers of this country are paying the price to remedy that foolish mistake made by the week government of the day and a desperate Port Authority.
The cracks and structural damages to people’s homes in West Grand Bahama tells us all who Bahama Rock Is! Without apology, “No”, to bringing the ocean on a flat Island closer to the community.
Lest we forget. We learn from our past.
Felix Sands