Absolutely correct, Mr. Leadon. Now, what can we as business owners, as citizens, do to force PM Minnis to address this crime? It is a crime, isn't it? To go to the UN, speak as if you are science oriented, ask for money to adapt to rising sea levels, and then remain silent on oil drilling in The Bahamas takes real balls. Does it not? For God's sake. Is it time for citizens to take the matter into our own hands, when our so-called leaders fail in their duties and fall flat on their face, as our representatives do? A crisis of leadership? The Bahamas hasn't had leadership for decades. Who is looking out for the people of The Bahamas? "The people" have been on our own long time now. Politicians seem to only look out for their own pocket books.
Mr. Leadon, who is looking out for Andros? Who?

Where is the Bahamas National Trust?
They reserved land as Parks on the West side (of Andros) and this oil exploration is a stones throw away from this pristine, untouched ecosystem that so few really know about...Mr. Carey?

Sadly, Government will not respect the Bahamian fishermen, lodge owners and environmentalists, because there is more money for Minnis in the possible discovery of oil.

juju,
You are right. Follow the money. Sadly, the BNT works for the powers that be. The moneyed interests. The future of conservation in The Bahamas is hampered by BNT, not furthered by it.

Apparently there are changes in the law for Permanent Residence Status with the unrestricted right to work that has been tabled before Cabinet when it comes to fishing. The government is using the platform that it will provide more jobs for Bahamian fishermen (saving this only for citizens) when in fact if you review the research it will do the exact opposite..put the fishermen out of work. The question now is...is the government trying to discourage the fishing as it is in the same area as the drilling. With the potential changes to the PR status it sets a conflict for signed treaties internationally which long term may affect foreign investment. Why would any government go this route and compromise the country as the percentage of non Bahamian fishermen is quite small...unless there is money involved for a few? The appearance is not good.

Smells fishy.

We want oil, we use oil and all of its byproducts and many things produced from it, but no don’t drill in our yard.
Keep the drilling and oil spills in some other country.
Typical a##holes, and no doubt that those squawking the loudest are some of the biggest consumers, ie big house and private yachts and jets.
It really sickening to hear these hypocrites preach their garbage.
If they really wanted to keep the environment clean they would first sell their cars, boats and planes, and ride a bicycles.
They would downsize to modest homes and reduce power consumption and go as green as possible.
Climate change, green initiative and religious followers all have one thing in common. They love to profess their beliefs! But have you ever met a religious person who truly lives by the code. Have you ever met a climate change supporter who has stopped flying and parked their car? Or how about a believer in simple recycling and green energy who is really committed to their cause ( without citing budget).
Good luck in finding anyone anywhere who would puts their money where their mouth is.
David Suzuki has a 6500 sqft house in one of the most prestigious parts of Vancouver bc Canada. How green is that?
You hypocrites need to shut up!

When all you all stop using oil then you can say don’t drill in your back yard.

Chucky. Stop your childish idiocy. You make no sense at all. None.

If you can’t understand my point, then you are the perfect example of our d average education. In effect, you are a waste of food.

Chucky. I am published in many venues. I spend a few minutes each day here because I care about my family's future here. With simpletons like yourself, that hope dwindles daily. I attended private schools in the US through advanced university. For your lack of logic, i make no further comment.

I do not find your arguments on behalf of oil drilling to be cogent or persuasive. The Bahamas is documented as one of the most pristine ecosystems on planet Earth, and you are chastising us for wanting to protect it? The Bahamas' economy depends almost 100% on ecotourism, and you are attacking us for trying to shield it from oil pollution? You have the right to an opinion, but at least admit there are many valid reasons for keeping oil drilling far away from The Bahamas.

Well if you think wanting to preserve the environment is justification for the enormous and continuous consumption of polluting products produced in and at the expense of the environment of other nations you are sadly not capable of simple reasoning.

To preserve this environment, is to act responsibly and to eliminate the hazards.
Not, to simply offshore the problems of consuming the toxic products.

What next, do you want to export our garbage, or perhaps dump it offshore in the Atlantic.

We are a disgusting wasteful society. On a per capita scale, much worse than Americans. As they at least try to collect, recycle and dispose in a reasonable manner. Albeit not that successfully. Meanwhile we still dump waste oil in the landfill.

No where is any meaningful discussion taking place about reduction. Sure , we have a plastic bag ban. Big deal! We burn bunker C fuel to produce power. We have a huge private jet and yachting problem. Wasting fuel like there is no tomorrow.
If we must continue, it seems we should produce our own, rather than Benicia from the environmental destruction of other countries you so want to prevent happening here.

Truth is, our people are to lousy to manage anything right, and certain disaster will happen if we ever get an oil industry managed by our useless lazy people.
But it’s a fitting punishment for our nation.

We have just borrowed $600,000,000 at 9%. We don’t have any choice but to pursue this avenue. Just one well would bring $3,000,000,000 in royalties to the Bahamas.
With a longer term potential in that area for $30 billion over the next 30 years. This would be a generational change for the Bahamas.
In Norway each child born has $200,000 invested for them in a fund so they will always have financial security. This is because of oil, they have a lot to lose on the environmental side as they also have substantial fishing and tourism industries.
The potential of an oil find funded by BPC is a huge positive. By the time the test well is drilled in January or February they would have spent around $130,000,000 getting to that point. It has been going on for 12 years and the governments have caused many delays and it is now time to find out if the big payoff is there. Important for the Bahamas as well as a reward for the substantial investment BPC have put into the Bahamas exploration over the last decade.

Yes, against all the emergent science. The Bahamian people will see not a penny. 30 years? About the time most of The Bahamas will be underwater. And, "don't have any choice..." jeez. Get real. Get out of your office cubicle for a moment. The Bahamas is already doomed financially. How is this not clear. Now, you want to sacrifice our environment too. Let me guess. You support trump and the republicans too.

No. No. No. Go test your theories in another country. Oil drilling in The Bahamas is a disaster. No amount of money can hide the fact that this messy, dirty activity has no place near the pristine waters of The Bahamas.