National

DPM: There Are Benefits, But It Has to Be Done the Correct Way

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Deputy Prime Minister and Exuma’s MP Chester Cooper breaking his silence on that controversial Exuma Moornings Project that was stopped in its tracks earlier this week.

Published

4 weeks ago

February 27, 2025

Joshua Williams

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Deputy Prime Minister and Exuma’s MP Chester Cooper breaking his silence on that controversial Exuma Moornings Project that was stopped in its tracks earlier this week.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of The Bahamas-Canada innovation trade mission Thursday morning, Cooper told reporters he understands the concerns of residents.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper says he’s standing with the Prime Minister on the outcome of The Bahamas Moorings Ltd. Project.

The Office of the Prime Minister announced earlier this week that the lease agreement was cancelled after it sparked environmental concerns.

Bahamas Moorings Ltd. was spearheading an initially approved project for the installation of 250 moorings over 4,000 acres of seabed at 49 locations in the Exuma Chains.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Philip Davis, in his mid-year budget presentation, announced the government is moving to develop a new national strategic plan for the management of moorings.

Cooper, who’s also member of parliament for the Exumas and Ragged Island, says proper processes must always be followed, but what is the “correct way”?

Cooper explained, “We want to ensure that there are the appropriate approvals in place by environmental experts buy the port department because we want them to be installed safely.”

The project, sparking backlash from Exuma natives, who say they were blindsided when moorings were installed.

Local government issued a cease and desist letter over the weekend, claiming it didn’t have the necessary approvals.

Cooper says they all have a right to raise their concerns.

“We want to ensure that there is consultation with with Exumians, led by local government on, and therefore the outrage was not surprising to me as member parliament for Exuma, Exumians want to actively engage, and participate in how we manage our island how we protect our environment and how we engage with entrepreneurs to to do business,” said Cooper.