Works at SCB Harbour Project is “Gov’t initiative” – Min. Fraser
At a rally at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre last evening October 21, 2011, Minister Fraser refuted the National Democratic Party’s claim that works being carried out on the site is a private development to benefit one land owner.
“...Further all the work being carried on site is a government initiative for the entire harbour, from Simmonds Marina to the water plant.” He further explained that the development would take place from Simmonds Marina leads past the Forbes’, past the Tobins, over to the mangroves, then it moves on towards Smith’s Reclamation, moves west past the Smiths’, past Mactavious, past Springette, past Forbes, past the community centre and down to the water plant.
“Tell me if one family could possibly own all of that,” Hon. Fraser said.
Meanwhile, NDP candidate Kevin Smith, speaking at his rally in Palestina Estate on October 20, 2011, had questioned whether the project was private and had stated that it was only designed to benefit a few. “There has been this statement about development in the 3rd District and you would recall that some months ago the Department of Town and Country Planning issued a stop order on Hannah’s Bay reclamation up in the harbour and I asked the question at the last rally why is it a private stop order on what is supposed to be a public development? Something wrong on top that cheese.... Lawd but we saw land appear from nowhere and fencing went up as fast as the Jericho wall and now you want us to believe that is a government project. I am not buying it,” were some of the words of Mr. Smith on the project.
Hurtling out more ammunition, Mr. Smith claimed that all of the proposed development in the district “is occurring on the Frasers’ property. I am dealing with the facts because right over my shoulder down there we have torn down the mangroves and the young people are asking me what about environmental protection? They are throwing dirt at the root of the mangroves where our marine lives are supposed to produce their hatcheries. So tell me where is the development in that? It proves as if there is one set of rules for one person and another set of rules for everybody else.”
At last evening’s rally, Minister Fraser reiterated that the NDP were again on the prowl to spread lies and create mischief in an effort to kill the project but assured residents that they would not succeed.
“Tonight I am pleased to report that the Sea Cows Bay Harbour Development Project is back on track despite the actions of the NDP. Since taking office in 2003 I have been able to fund works on the project and today (October 21, 2011) a consultant was commissioned to produce construction documents for the infrastructural works.” The works he said include electrical, water and drainage and that eight contracts have been issued for initial works that are being executed on site.
The project, Hon. Fraser said is a transformation in the Sea Cows Bay area as it would have nine two-storey buildings for commercial investments, 169,000sq ft of commercial space available, 2800 square feet of space designated to make available for a restaurant and a pub, which is to include varying levels of food service from fast food to formal dining, nine 200ft long jetties for approximately 125 yachts including provisions for mega yachts, water beds to accommodate yachts with drafts up to 15 feet, 79,000sq ft of office space will be available, secondary road or bypass will be placed parallel to Drake’s Highway.
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