A stop order has been issued by the government to an earth-moving firm involved in unauthorized removal of sand near the shoreline of Maiden Island, which is located in the North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA).
Reports have surfaced of illegal sand mining ongoing just a few feet off the south eastern point of Maiden Island.
The Fisheries Division and the Environment Division appear to have no knowledge of the sand mining operations.
The incident was discussed in a cabinet meeting on October 2, 2019 and according to Chief of Staff, Lionel Hurst, not only was a stop order issued the firm was also directed to move to a completely new site.
Additionally Hurst said that the removed sand will be deposited to build-up a beach area on the shore on a specific area on the perimeter of Guiana Island.
An official from the Fisheries Department has been invited to join the Minister at the post-Cabinet Press Conference on Thursday morning.
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#yidaruntings
Yida destroying the environment again. Why does Guiana Island need sand? It already has a huge beach on the North side. Because Yida is trying to build beaches where there are none. Look at their development plans. Destroy and remove the mangroves and build fake beaches. What utter nonsense. The sea will just take back the sand from man-made beaches. Fake beaches wash away. And then Yida will want to mine more sand to replenish the lost beach sand.
How the heck could this happen without the pertinent authorities not knowing.Who is lying?There is something fundamentally wrong with this entire picture.Why do we need so many Government Departments.When they do not do their works.For which they are being paid to do monthly.Antigua is 108 square miles.If someone passes gas in Freetown you would smell it in Five Islands.So how those responsible for the Nation’s coast lines did not know about this sand mining at Maiden Island.Lie you hear lie.
Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! “Fools Rush In Where Angels Fear To Tread!” A 5000 Year Chinese Civilization Meets a Caribbean Civilization of some 385 years! Building a beach for another Cultural Boundary on which the People of African Descent will never frolic from “Here to Eternity”! “That is why this is pre-eminently, a time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly in this Assembly, without fear or favour. The very existence of our small island states and our civilization are imperilled. However, we will not sit by idly in silence. Action is imperative, and we will act now.” Prime Minister, Honourable Gaston Browne Address to The 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 74)!
When was the last time any Beach Erosion, on either Antigua and Barbuda or the North Sound Islands in the NEMMA protected area, was restored to its original state through Soft Engineering of Beach Nourishment, Replenishment or Stabilization! “Many men, many, many, many, many men. Wish death ‘pon me. Lord, I don’t cry no more. Don’t look to the sky no more. Have mercy on me.” – 50 Cent! Clearly we have not built either the Soft or Hard Engineering Capacity to Guide and Implement Sustainable Development for a Green and Blue Economy to satisfy Social, Environmental (or Ecological) and Financial “Entrepreneurial Socialism” of a Caribbean “Economic Powerhouse”! For those who still enjoy unfettered development, visit Venice’s MOSE $6 Billion US barrier development to understand the future of St. John’s and its Coastal Environs from the Port Development!
Where is the EAG! Where are the Architectural and Engineering Societies! Where are the Legal Beagles! Given the paucity of Capacity, clearly we are unable to “Bring Back, Bring Back” “in his suit of black” like a Phoenix from deep in the hallowed Rocks of Green Castle: “Here lie the ashes of Oliver Ridsdale Second Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, Born March 1899 Died August 1958. Governor, Commander in Chief in and over the Leeward Islands and Vice Admiral of the same 1948 – 1950. He loved the people of these islands. RIP.”! Let’s “Bring Back, Bring Back” Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist without peer, policy expert extraordinaire, Brooklyn native and a Person of African Descent! “She is founder and CEO of Ocean Collectiv, a strategy consulting firm for conservation solutions, and founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank focused on coastal cities. She also holds appointments as a Director’s Fellow at MIT Media Lab, and a science scholar at Pioneer Works. As executive director of the Waitt Institute, Ayana co-founded the Blue Halo Initiative and led the Caribbean’s first successful island-wide ocean zoning effort. Previously, she worked on ocean policy at the EPA and NOAA, and was a leader of the March for Science.”
The results of Unintended Consequences! This mere voice in the wilderness has been encouraging not only GoAB but the Barbuda Council to Visit Grand Bahama and learn first hand the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Coastal Development! “We also know that if this profligate behavior does not stop, many of our island-states will not last 1,000 years. … when a few countries and coastal communities are entirely washed away and eliminated from the face of the global map. // And, even then, after a ritual wringing of hands and pledges, to act to stop the obliteration of small island states, business might continue as usual, of course, that is not a prospect that the people and governments of small states will contemplate for a second.” PM Gaston Browne! Are these mere words aimed at the North Atlantics with no meaning for those traveling the Silk Road or the Antigua and Barbuda off ramp of the Caribbean Highway!
We must remain vigilant to exploitation no matter the cultural or psychological location given our marking! “we have a proud history of seizing the reins of our independence and sovereignty against all odds to develop our countries rapidly after centuries of colonial or hegemonistic exploitation.” Gaston Browne (UNGA 74) to avoid and move us out of this mental backwardness and straight jacket of black dislocation, disorientation, decenteredness, and lack of agency! This rape of the environment is an unenforced error! GoAB has no one to blame but itself and should be guided accordingly to its own words!
“But, we know that our underdevelopment and financial vulnerability were created by centuries of exploitation in slavery and bound-labor for which no compensation was made. That is why Caribbean countries, in all sectors driven by non-governmental organizations, have urged relevant governments in Europe to repair the debilitating social-economic conditions: the destruction of resources, the dehumanization and genocide of Caribbean people resulting from the slave trade, slavery and the ravages of colonialism.” Gaston Browne (UNGA 74)! Amen! Amen And AMEN as we add the People’s Republic of China as they celebrate their Glorious 70th Anniversary!
This operation looks like it has been going on for weeks maybe months. Doesn’t our Coast Guard parole these waters? Our government departments are over bloated with staffs and still this happened to our environment. Somebody need to be fired and now.
Thank God for the good citizen that saw this and reported it.
It would appear that the ABLP is determined to destroy Antigua and Barbuda’s precious environment to cater to YIDA who is erecting a project that one can only describe as resembling a down market slum that will obviously not appeal to westernized tourists. It is highly unlikely that the likes of Jack Nickolas, Hard Rock Café or Intercontinental will want their brand associated with this Chinese eyesore that is an insult to the other hoteliers on the island. The agreement needs to be torn up and YIDA sent packing…all Yida Zhang ever does is destroy our country. Why should we, the people, be forced to pay for this destructive dust bowl to have a road, security and utilities; the security being provided by us to prevent no one other than us from bothering them in any way and added to this calamity we are supposed to lose access to the off shore islands and marine life within a ludicrous 2 mile buffer zone. This man has contributed zero to our economy and never will contribute anything other than destruction to our environment and marine sustainability. One has to ask the question as to what kind of desperation prevailed in the signing of such an agreement that also gives consent to an autonomous Chinese colony within our country which happens to be part of the Commonwealth in the free world…not communist dictatorship China.
The Chinese never had any sense of caring for the Environment.Why do you folks think they would begin now.Check out mainland China.Many of their citizens do wear masks.I wondered why.When Yida is finished.So would be the area that they owned and the surroundings.You the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda would need your passports to enter that area.It would bring back the days of apartheid South Africa.However,it would be happening in Antigua.What a darn shame.Shameful.Remember I told you so on 10/06/19.
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