Foulkes: Committee will leave no stone unturned

Chairman of the House of Assembly’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Natural Resources Michael Foulkes said yesterday that the committee will leave “no stone unturned” in its quest to investigate the country’s natural resources. 

“This committee is very serious and very determined as to every natural resource of our country and every aspect of them with the strong intent to get all the facts, report them to this Parliament and most importantly, report them to the Bahamian people,” he said in the House of Assembly. 

“We all ought to know the complete status as to all of our natural resources, as we have said, they are our patrimony, our inheritance, and our birthright.”

Foulkes added, “It is our full intention to investigate all matters regarding our natural resources, whether we discover them through our direct efforts or whether they have been brought to our attention.

“We should point out here, most importantly, that both will be treated with the same degree of seriousness, consideration, and review. We intend to leave no stone unturned on your behalf and to your benefit.”

Foulkes gave an interim report on the group’s work over the last few months.

He told parliamentarians that based on the committee’s preliminary work, they have identified over 20 natural resources.

“The committee developed an extensive list of at least 25 natural resources so far, with the understanding that the said list might not be exhaustive and is prepared to amend the list as is necessary in the future.”

The committee was formed on July 8, 2020. 

Foulkes said each committee member took the lead on researching at least one of the identified resources.

Foulkes says the committee also has plans to visit sites next month where natural resources are being extracted. The committee includes, Foulkes; Marathon MP and Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira; Fox Hill MP Shonel Ferguson, chairman of the Clifton Heritage Authority; St. Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright, executive chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority; Centreville MP Reece Chipman; Mangrove Cay and South Andros MP Picewell Forbes, and Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller.

The post Foulkes: Committee will leave no stone unturned appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/foulkes-committee-will-leave-no-stone-unturned/