COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR EXUMA SPILL ‘WILL FACE PENALTIES’, SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL

from page one all of the interviews, and received all of the reports.

We are prepared to file a civil action.”

The owners of the vessel have recently reached out to the government regarding the upcoming fines, Mr Pinder told reporters.

“The owners of the vessel have approached the government recently and started engaging in negotiations regarding the appropriate fines. We have a fine analysis that we would have done. A lot of the fines under our environmental laws are dependent on the environmental damage that was done,” the senator added.

Following the incident, multiple Cabinet ministers and government officials raced to Exuma to assess the site of the oil spill and its impact.

In a statement, Sun Oil confirmed that the vessel MT Arabian, owned by D&T Shipping, discovered a leak during the discharging process and activated its crisis management protocol shortly afterwards.

Despite concerns by local environmentalists on the long term effects the spill could possibly cause, Mr Pinder said “minimal” environmental damage was reported by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection along with the Department of Environmental Health Services as a result of cleanup efforts at the site.

He continued: “So you have to take that into context, when you look at the fines that we have to levy under the legislation. But needless to say, whether it be through litigation or whether it be through negotiation, fines will be paid to the government of The Bahamas for spilling oil in Exuma.”

In terms of penalties for the Onego Traveller ship that sank with heavy fuel on board off Abaco in December, Mr Pinder said officials are still awaiting final reports. “We’re still awaiting final reports from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection and the Department of Environmental Health Services. That ship is still there, and we have issued an order for it to be removed from The Bahamas.”

He said the government gave the ship’s owner 45 days to remove it from Abaco waters.

Mr Pinder added: “They are undertaking the efforts, the salvage company to remove it from The Bahamas. Once the ship is removed, then we get a full environmental report and assessment to assess the damage that may have been done from an environmental point of view. And at that time, is when we pursue action to enforce our rights against fines with respect to the Abaco oil spill.” from page one citizenship, modification of the nationality act, etc; prevention and reversal of illegal unregulated developments, including shanty towns; a national audit of labour force and a review of people, infrastructure and ecosystems involved in the prevention, enforcement, interdiction, and prosecution of matters relative to immigration and migration.

Additionally, Mr Pintard noted that with the establishment of the select committee on matters relating to the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, there should be an inquiry to look at the country’s legislation, policies, interaction with the company, government officials’ interactions with the company and its officials in an official or unofficial capacity.

“We do not expect to cut across the judicial insolvency related to investigations ongoing in which the joint provisional liquidators who are court appointed will report to the court. We support this process taking its course,” he said.

Mr Pintard listed 11 terms with regard to what this particular committee should consist of, noting that the call for the establishment of the select committee on FTX is to ensure transparency due public oversight in this matter, which is one of international concern.

“The terms of reference of the select committee will consist of the following: to what extent if any has the government invested any Bahamian resources into FTX at any level in any jurisdiction,”

Mr Pintard said.

“The nature and extent of the government’s due diligence. The findings of the due diligence. The impact of the collapse in our jurisdiction in general, on the employees of FTX, service providers and local business partners, in particular. What is the nature of the relationships between all PEPs (politically exposed persons) relative to FTX and its officials? Did PEPs receive loans from FTX on any of its subsidiaries? Did any PEP receive payments or donations from FTX or any of its subsidiaries?

“The financial exposure to the government if any, and any implications for the national budget. Impact on the reputation of our jurisdiction and ongoing investment in our financial services sector, including the digital assets space? The inquiry should review the legislative DARE Act, the due diligence requirements, and the monitoring of companies registered under the DARE Act.”

He said the committee would also review the ability and resources of the Security Commission to see if they are adequate to monitor crypto companies and exchanges.

“Without a proper inquiry, the country will be left to endure a credibility problem and may be cast in a light of not sufficiently mature to be regarded by the international financial community as a responsible jurisdiction for this kind of economic activity, “ Mr Pintard said.

On January 11, the Transport and Housing Ministry said remediation efforts of the sunken Onego Traveller ship off Abaco were continuing, adding 3,119 tons of steel coils and 4,505 tons of Ferix in bulk remained submerged.

The ministry said that steps to address the sunken cargo ship were still active.

On December 29, 2022, Onego Traveller sank with heavy fuel onboard.

The general cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbuda, built in 2002, reportedly began taking on water in the ballast water tank area near Hole in the Wall, off South Abaco.