The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is the latest organisation to question development on the island of Bimini by asking how the government could allow a foreign company to begin building a pier without the necessary approvals.

“Indeed a senior PLP Minister has confirmed that the building has commenced without the necessary approvals, in particular an Environmental Impact Assessment and an Environmental Management Plan. It has further come to the DNA’s attention that persons working on the pier have not obtained the necessary work permits from the Department of Immigration. In other words they are working here illegally and this illegality is being sanctioned by the PLP government,” the DNA said in a press statement.

“What is going on in our country? We are not aware of any possible environmental impact the building of the pier may have and yet Resorts World Bimini have “mobilized”, in the words of their public affairs officer. We ask the government, would they allow a Bahamian to do the same thing that Resorts World Bimini is doing without the necessary permits? Is it ok for some to break the law and others not to? We also ask the question of the government, since they claim that they believe in Bahamians, why did they not allow a Bahamian firm to carry out the proposed works.”

The DNA said it’s actions like this or lack thereof by the government that makes the country continue to be a third world and described as a “Banana Republic.”

When speaking to the Bahama Journal Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, who is also the member of parliament for West End and Bimini, said while there are some “growing pains” going on in Bimini, the island’s economy will improve over time.