Alien
09-22-07, - 11:00 AM
http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3656--25-25--.html
Nassau has had its day, says Bahamian MP
Published on Saturday, September 22, 2007 Email To Friend Print Version
By Gladstone Thurston
MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco (BIS): A new location must be found for the nation’s capital, Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman Edison Key told persons attending the Abaco Business Outlook seminar on Thursday.
“The future of The Bahamas lies outside of New Providence Island,” he said. “Nassau has taken The Bahamas as far as it possibly can.”
Under the theme “Growth by Design,” the Abaco Business Outlook seminar also featured Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette, Director General of Tourism Vernice Walkine, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce president Dionisio D’Aguilar, Abaco Chamber of Commerce director Chris Roberts and Bahamas National Trust executive director Eric Carey, among others.
“Bay Street, specifically downtown Nassau, has had its day,” said Key, the Member of Parliament for South Abaco. “Its day has passed.
“Now is the day of another island and any attempt by Nassau to monopolise the national development funds chasing a pipe dream can only be to the detriment of national development. It is like pouring new wine into old wine skins.”
Key said even if downtown Nassau could be restored, with the cruise and container ports operating virtually adjacent to each other, “It would remain as congested as ever… since all roads in New Providence seem to lead to downtown Nassau.”
He noted that tourism “is taking a licking” because tourists complain that downtown Nassau is “trashy.”
“Yet we continue to market that ‘trashiness’ as being among our top offerings,” he added.
“For it to continue to be so promoted… can only be to our detriment. It is a turnoff to the tourists.
“Downtown Nassau of days gone by is just that – gone by. Like yesterday, it is to return no more.”
Downtown Nassau should be cleaned up and preserved for its historic value with the buildings housing the House of Assembly, the Senate, the Supreme Court, the library and others turned into museums, Key said.
“A new location must be found for the political capital of The Bahamas,” he said. “New centers of commerce are needed. The days when The Bahamas comprised just Nassau are over.”
He suggested that young industrious Bahamians in New Providence start looking towards the Family Islands, especially if they have claim to generation property.
“Industrious householders and their families will never starve,” he said. “The land and the sea continue to provide abundantly.
“I bet they would be healthier and happier and live much longer than if they had stayed in New Providence.”
BAIC said Key is placing increased focus on the development of small and medium operations and cottage industries ensuring that the best business practices are adhered to.
“The time is now and the urgency critical,” he said, “for BAIC to steer The Bahamas toward a future with true opportunities for Bahamians.
“We spend an estimated $500 million each year on food imports,” he noted. “Imagine what would happen if we were to produce just $200 million of that each year. We would revolutionize food production in The Bahamas.
“BAIC wants to make a huge difference in the lives of Bahamians. The barriers which previously hindered success must be removed at once and the playing field leveled.
“BAIC is putting all of its resources in place to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises take their rightful place as drivers of the national economy.”
Nassau has had its day, says Bahamian MP
Published on Saturday, September 22, 2007 Email To Friend Print Version
By Gladstone Thurston
MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco (BIS): A new location must be found for the nation’s capital, Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman Edison Key told persons attending the Abaco Business Outlook seminar on Thursday.
“The future of The Bahamas lies outside of New Providence Island,” he said. “Nassau has taken The Bahamas as far as it possibly can.”
Under the theme “Growth by Design,” the Abaco Business Outlook seminar also featured Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette, Director General of Tourism Vernice Walkine, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce president Dionisio D’Aguilar, Abaco Chamber of Commerce director Chris Roberts and Bahamas National Trust executive director Eric Carey, among others.
“Bay Street, specifically downtown Nassau, has had its day,” said Key, the Member of Parliament for South Abaco. “Its day has passed.
“Now is the day of another island and any attempt by Nassau to monopolise the national development funds chasing a pipe dream can only be to the detriment of national development. It is like pouring new wine into old wine skins.”
Key said even if downtown Nassau could be restored, with the cruise and container ports operating virtually adjacent to each other, “It would remain as congested as ever… since all roads in New Providence seem to lead to downtown Nassau.”
He noted that tourism “is taking a licking” because tourists complain that downtown Nassau is “trashy.”
“Yet we continue to market that ‘trashiness’ as being among our top offerings,” he added.
“For it to continue to be so promoted… can only be to our detriment. It is a turnoff to the tourists.
“Downtown Nassau of days gone by is just that – gone by. Like yesterday, it is to return no more.”
Downtown Nassau should be cleaned up and preserved for its historic value with the buildings housing the House of Assembly, the Senate, the Supreme Court, the library and others turned into museums, Key said.
“A new location must be found for the political capital of The Bahamas,” he said. “New centers of commerce are needed. The days when The Bahamas comprised just Nassau are over.”
He suggested that young industrious Bahamians in New Providence start looking towards the Family Islands, especially if they have claim to generation property.
“Industrious householders and their families will never starve,” he said. “The land and the sea continue to provide abundantly.
“I bet they would be healthier and happier and live much longer than if they had stayed in New Providence.”
BAIC said Key is placing increased focus on the development of small and medium operations and cottage industries ensuring that the best business practices are adhered to.
“The time is now and the urgency critical,” he said, “for BAIC to steer The Bahamas toward a future with true opportunities for Bahamians.
“We spend an estimated $500 million each year on food imports,” he noted. “Imagine what would happen if we were to produce just $200 million of that each year. We would revolutionize food production in The Bahamas.
“BAIC wants to make a huge difference in the lives of Bahamians. The barriers which previously hindered success must be removed at once and the playing field leveled.
“BAIC is putting all of its resources in place to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises take their rightful place as drivers of the national economy.”