Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NSSAU504
2009-08-21 17:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

CONTAINER PORT RELOCATION SPARKS ANGRY DEBATE

Tags:  BEXP ETRD ECON BF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8501
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHBH #0504/01 2331717
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211717Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHD 6606
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUCNCOM/EC CARCOM COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NSSAU 000504 

STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND EB
SANTO DOMINGO FOR USFCS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ECON BF
SUBJECT: CONTAINER PORT RELOCATION SPARKS ANGRY DEBATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NSSAU 000504

STATE FOR WHA/CAR AND EB
SANTO DOMINGO FOR USFCS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BEXP ETRD ECON BF
SUBJECT: CONTAINER PORT RELOCATION SPARKS ANGRY DEBATE


1. (U) SUMMARY: In a little publicized decision in April, the GCOB
signed an agreement to relocate Nassau's busy down town container
port to Arawak Cay, a site 6 miles to the west. The decision
reignited angry debate beginning in July when plans moved forward to
begin dredging the harbor. Opposition Senator Jerome Fitzgerald
spearheaded an opposition campaign to overturn the decision. Despite
the relocation controversy the harbor dredging began on August 17.
The dredging is expected to deepen and widen the port of Nassau to
accommodate mega cruise ships scheduled to begin calling on Nassau
in December. END SUMMARY.

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NEW PORT EXPECTED TO BOOST
AILING ECONOMY
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2. (U) Prime Minister (PM) Hubert Ingraham signed an agreement on
April 2 with Dutch company Boskalis to dredge Nassau Harbor and
extend Arawak Cay 1,000 feet to accommodate the new container port
development project. The agreement outlined the initial steps in
the overall plan to revitalize down town Nassau. To facilitate the
port move the government mediated the creation of the Arawak Cay
Port Development Company (ACPDC),a coalition of shipping interests,
which will fund the $50-$60 million project. The ACPDC expects to
complete the container port development by the end of this year.


3. (U) Upon completion of the harbor dredging, The Bahamas will be
able to berth the new Gensis class cruise ships scheduled to arrive
Nassau in December. Because these cruise ships can accommodate
between 5,400 to 6,400 passengers, it is hoped they will provide a
much needed boost to the struggling tourist industry.


4. (U) Arawak Cay (formerly Kelly Island) is a man-made island. It
was created in 1966 as a "cultural site" but has since become an
acknowledged eyesore. Its most prominent feature was a dilapidated
Customs and Immigration building now used as a warehouse. Arawak
Cay lies between the downtown strip and Cable Beach resort area.
Saunders Beach, often referred to as "the people's beach," lies just
a few hundred yards to the west of the proposed new container port
at the cay. Saunders is one of the few beaches on New Providence
that is publically accessible to local Bahamians.

--------------
PLP CHARGES FNM WITH CORRUPTION
AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
--------------


5. (U) Members of the opposition party and their supporters have
strongly contested the Arawak Cay port project. PLP Senator Jerome
Fitzgerald and members of the "Save Saunders Beach" campaign have
emerged as the leading opponent in the public debate. The PLP
commissioned U.S. design firm EDAW to conduct a feasibility study on
the redevelopment of downtown Nassau. The study rated the Arawak Cay
site as the worst choice for the new container port. Fitzgerald
maintains that the move will be environmentally hazardous, increase
traffic congestion, and create an eyesore for incoming cruise
passengers. His feelings were endorsed by former FNM MP, Tennyson
Wells, who believes the government's decision was influenced by
"special interest groups." He also accused the government of
lacking transparency in the decision making process.


6. (U) The government organized a town meeting on August 6 to
respond to calls for more information on the project. Minister of
the Environment, Earl Deveaux, discussed the environmental impact,
socio-economic factors and other positive aspects of the Arawak Cay
site. He noted that the Clifton site, an alternative location, was
dismissed over environmental concerns and cost. The meeting was
forced to adjourn prematurely due to constant rowdy disruptions by
the project's detractors. Senator Fitzgerald criticized
contradictory statements by the Minister of Health and the Minister
of Environment regarding the use of Saunders Beach during the
dredging. Concerns were raised regarding general public access to
the existing restaurants at Arawak Cay. However, the media has
reported that the Arawak Cay Vendors Association supports the
project.


7. (U) Despite government environmental studies indicating there
would be no negative environmental effects to Saunders Beach, the
public suspect that the extension and new container port will affect
the water quality. These concerns have proved to be well founded as
a major dredging mistake occurred on August 18 resulting in a white
plume of turbid water thousands of feet long outside of the
construction area. Additionally, there are further plans to build a
bridge from the new container port on Arawak Cay to the mainland
over Saunders Beach to route the trucks moving goods from the
container port.

--------------
COMMENT


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