By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

An environmental activist yesterday warned that the Government was taking The Bahamas back to "the dark ages" by entertaining petroleum industry investments.

Save the Bays chairman Joseph Darville yesterday urged the Minnis administration to "come clean" and provide "specifics" on its policy towards offshore oil drilling after the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) took several steps towards "spudding" its first well.

BPC, which has spent more than a decade on its exploration project, recently confirmed it has "lodged an application for Environmental Authorisation" with the Ministry of the Environment and Housing over plans to drill a first well in waters south-west of Andros. And it last week announced the signing of a three-month exclusivity deal with an undisclosed "farm-in" partner for the drilling joint venture.

BPC's project continues to attract criticism from environmentalists despite the potential economic benefits from discovering recoverable, commercial quantities of oil in Bahamian waters.

"It is disturbing that we can get information on these developments from outside the country, and we are not getting it directly from our leaders and in a systematic manner which respects the dignity and pride of our people," said Mr Darville.

"This is taking us back into the dark ages; it's really mind-boggling. I am disgusted and terrified by the way this country is going when there are so many ways to create wealth and employment, and we want to subject it to oil drilling, refineries and things that will not be of any use in 20 years because of the damage to the environment.

"Every single Bahamian should know what is going to affect his welfare and the welfare of the country. The Government needs to come clean on this issue. We want to know specifics."

Back in 2013, the Christie administration indicated it would allow exploratory wells to be sunk ahead of a referendum, after initially indicating that no form of drilling would take place ahead prior to approval by the Bahamian people.

Then-minister of the environment, Kenred Dorsett, said the Government had determined that "we need to find out first, through exploration drilling, whether we do indeed have oil in commercially viable quantities".

Mr Darville added yesterday: "We want to know what will happen in the case of any mishaps. We need to know the penalties such companies will face if there is a major oil spill in our ocean. We have very flimsy regulations right now, and we do not have an Environmental Protection Act which levies the proper penalties."

Environmental advocate and businesswoman, Diane Phillips, added: "With regards to oil drilling, we are 20 years behind and, as the world understands the need to move toward renewables, I say leave it right where it is. The risk is too great. One oil spill could have incalculable consequences."

Sam Duncombe, reEarth's president, recently called on the Minnis administration to "step into the light" and instead embrace renewable energy. She urged the Government to deny BPC's Environmental Authorisation application, adding: "The last thing this country needs is oil drilling.