‘PM must explain u-turn over RCI’

Tourism Minister Chester Cooper owe the public a “candid” explanation, saying that the press secretary does not hold the power to speak on a “fundamental” matter.

In an interview with this newspaper yesterday, the FNM leader sought answers from the Prime Minister, saying that a “complete and frank” explanation on the sudden change of heart is needed.

“When we were in government another development was also being looked at with respect to RCI, and attempts were being made to get the Bahamian developer and RCI to arrive at an agreement that was mutually beneficial,” he said yesterday.

“And that would allow that limited space to be used both for the benefit of a Bahamian developer, as well as for the benefit of the cruise line. Now, the opposition (Progressive Liberal Party) at that time was extremely critical of the proposal and gave an extensive rationale for why they disagreed with the (then) government entering into an arrangement with the international cruise developer.”

He continued: “And at that time, the now prime minister was extremely vocal about the need for us to empower our Bahamian developer or group of Bahamian developers, and he saw no pathway for an international developer to the exclusion of a Bahamian.

“So, it is, most unfortunate, he has made a complete about turn on this position. One would have expected that at a minimum, the Prime Minister would have been seeking to ensure that no Bahamian developer is disadvantaged.”

Both the cruise line and the government had been embroiled in a longrunning battle, including in the Supreme Court, with Bahamian entrepreneur Toby Smith who has asserted he has a binding lease for at least two Crown land acres that Royal Caribbean is seeking to use in its project.

However, on February 16, Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder rejected the entrepreneur’s claim that his lease agreement is valid.

Many are questioning the environmental impact the development may