Overcrowded and trampled to death is the future for the lighthouse beach, the politician's mindset is to just give our land away to the wealthy and receive minimum in return while squeezing the living daylight out of its poorer citizens with taxes, just in the French Revolution.

Who will receive minimum of return the politicians or the country? Just asking. The next cash cow after FTX?

I'm sure some politician will suddenly have a fleet of new mailboats that are the only boats with the safety requirements RCI demand. Fitzgerald probably already secured that contract.

Lol this man is really shilling to the government tune, talking about no one made noise when it was Atlantis and Baha Mar. He is either missing the point through ignorance or intentionally to not see that the circumstances between those situations and this is different.

People are not against development but certain kinds of unchecked shady development. What determines this attitude has everything to do with the nature in which the deal was negotiated to the environmental effects of development.
The Bahamian people want to know what is the benefits for the Bahamian people if your leasing land out Crown (public) land to the alleged extent of 150 year in the presences of a historical site.
Jobs and investment do not cut it. Will this development transform our economy or simply operate with mediocre return for the Bahamian people despite using the people's land.

This doesn't even cover the whole Toby Smith controversy which bodes even worse favour for this development. Furthermore, Atlantis and Baha Mar have financially and physically invested in this country. They have improved their local environments and support our nations local organizations & clubs.

Does anyone know if Royal Caribbean has invested anything for Bahamians betterment?

Boy these Bahamians make me laugh. They never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Keep this same attitude and when the 49% equity in this money maker is offered to all Bahamians ( like the Nassau cruise port offering) take a pass and leave more for me and the other Bahamians who have sense and want to take part in the wealth creation of our bahamaland😉

You laugh because you're on the small few Bahamians who can A Find 500 dollars and B. spare 500 dollars for shares.

Not implying that you should feel bad that you're successful, but rather that you should have empathy for your fellow Bahamian. "should". You dont have to.

Will never forget how East and Independence hill was cut down to pebbles right up to the fence in people's back yards (out of spite) to build a shopping mall. We shouldnt have to sacrifice our environment to get mega rich.

Not a few, many. Opportunity is there take advantage of it and stop distorting and whining. The Arawak port is a great example with over 12,000 Bahamian shareholders, they all found at least $1000 to invest. Could be the same with RCL offering. Wake up, stop wasting your money on numbers and invest in the Bahamas!

Spoken just like one of the privileged. "*stop spending money on numbers!*". You have no idea of the suffering in this country. I often wondered if COVID and Dorian came to give you a heart, many man yuh people who thought th eff y were "safe" found out otherwise, maybe the universe has to send you a stronger message.

What more do you want government to do, buy the shares for you too? Opportunity is there, save and invest. If 12,000 Bahamians did it for the Arawak port they could do it for this offering. The reality is many Bahamians spend a large part of their discretionary income on gambling. Hard to save to invest if you just giving it to the numbers man.

You keep saying its "me". I'm talking about Bahamians. I'll be fine as will the 12000 persons you know who have 1000 to invest. The other 200,000???

Ah, the Cruise Port's Comrade "Genius of" Michael Maura who has noted he's all for satisfying the desires when on days when many of the Cruise 30,000-plus tourist passengers goin' has a need to seek out **'authentic Bahamian experiences'** involving this **'nation’s culture, heritage, cuisine and other unique aspects'**. --- It's his reason for why he's all for Royal Caribbean’s $100 millon Paradise Island project goin' ahead. --- Who said the Hogs' popoulaces' has completely vanished. --- And weren't' **'The Hogs on Hog Island'** --- not also all foreign imported, --- Yes?

Let the ignorant stay ignorant. Over the last 23 years the list companies that were created or offered shares to the ordinary Bahamian is impressive. Before the creation of BISX and pre 1967 out parents and grand parents had valid excuses and used the Bay street Boggie man for every thing that kept them poor. Now all that has changed, equity investment opportunities are coming to marked every year and they still finding excuses about the Government.. Their forebears will someday blame them for being ignorant

Of course not. If the Bahamas gets destroyed for the "locals" but we still making money, who cares?

"*he argued that not all will want “to go and sit on a beach” but, instead, seek out authentic Bahamian experiences involving this nation’s culture, heritage, cuisine and other unique aspects*

Aren't they building an ampitheatre for concerts and plays and a junkanoo museum? Who are we trying to fool? They dont want cruise passengers to go past the gate

Does your cynicism know no bounds? What makes you think Mr. Maura does not genuinely want tourists to experience the real Bahamas outside the port? You think you love the Bahamas more than him? 90% of the Port’s revenue comes from a passenger facility fee whether or not not they even disembark from the ship. Other revenue ( restaurants, shops etc) is as they say in New Orleans, lagniappe, the cream on top if you will. The port is a slam dunk investment winner on the port fee alone. So I don’t doubt for one moment he is genuine and wants happy tourists who explore new providence and spend more money. It’s good business for the port and good for the Bahamas.

Actually, my cynicism has zero bounds, Ive seen too much of how this country works. And while you may think it's only me, I once asked for advice on a business venture from a noted local lawyer and THEY said to me, don't ask noone in the Bahamas, dis a funny place. They was right. So no I don't think Mr Maura wants guest to go anywhere outside the port. They already tell them *if you chance it leave your valuables on the ship*

What happened to Toby was sacrilege, you happy because you see yourself profiting off another Bahamian's ill treatment.

Have a little more faith in humanity. Try to think the best of your fellow Bahamians instead of always assuming the worst. Hard to thrive wallowing in cynicism. As for Toby none of the crown land he has been seeking is involved in the RCL deal. I wish him as all Bahamians nothing but the best but it far better for thousands of Bahamians (as potentially in RCL deal) to become shareholders than for just one person to benefit and have it all.

Faith in humanity?? I'm talking about politics in the Bahamas. I have great hope for the rest of mankind. Saying Toby *still has his land* is like wishing a franchise owner *all the best* after giving permission to Disney World to open the same franchise next door. Sure you might make a go of it, but your original vision is shot to hell.

This "*it's too much for him*" is insidious. If he were a political crony who was getting contract after contract solely because of his party affiliation that's one thing, but if he is someone who came up with an idea, fought for the idea for over 10 years its cruel to tell him *this too much for you, everybody gat to get a piece*. Go find your own idea.