Dear Supporters,

Thank you for your courage in standing with Our Islands, Our Future (OIOF) and your continuing efforts to protect The Bahamas from the scourge of oil drilling.

Last night, the massive 750-foot Stena IceMAX drill ship has left the Canary Islands en-route to Grand Bahama in preparation to drill an extremely dangerous exploratory oil well off the coast of Andros, near the ecologically and economically important areas of West Andros, Cay Sal and the Great Bahama Bank.

The ship has been launched in defiance of an official notification that attorneys are in the process of filing Judicial Review proceedings, asking the Bahamas Supreme Court to scrutinise Bahamas Petroleum Company’s environmental approvals process. Among the points raised is the absence of a proper public consultation process as mandated by law.

OIOF has advised BPC to cease and desist from mobilising until the courts have an opportunity to consider the matter, and warned that a decision to move forward regardless will be undertaken at their own risk.

As BPC’s stated aim is to begin drilling on December 15, 2020, time is running out to convince the company and the Bahamas government to pause in this reckless, irreversible action to allow the judicial process to take its course.

We urge you to speak out and share your views at this most critical time. Local supporters, write to the newspapers call into to radio talk shows, explain your opposition to oil drilling to Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira, other government officials and Bahamas Petroleum Company CEO Simon Potter. Let them know that we will not sacrifice our future and that of generations of Bahamians to come, without a fight.

International supporters, don’t hesitate to make your views known to BPC and Bahamas officials, and also write to your local media and help us raise awareness internationally.

Letters to the Editor:
letters@tribunemedia.net
editorial@nasguard.com
jcnnews@gmail.com
eyewitnessnewsbahamas@gmail.com

Government officials:
primeminister@bahamas.gov.bs
primeminister@bahamas.gov.bs
strombus1838@yahoo.com
rochellenewbold@bahamas.gov.bs

Bahamas Petroleum Company:
s.potter@bpcplc.com
info@bpcplc.cominfo.nassau@bpcplc.com
Billy.clegg@camarco.co.uk
serenawilliams.pr@gmail.com

As it continues to churn towards the waters of The Bahamas, the IceMAX can be tracked on our website: https://ourislandsourfuture.org/

Once again, we sincerely thank you for supporting this critical fight to protect the economic and environmental future of The Bahamas. More than 130 businesses and organizations are now lending their name to the cause and 45,000 have signed our petition. Our Islands, Our Future is convinced that if we continue to stand strong together, we can stop BPC and present all prevent any future oil drilling in these pristine, ecologically significant waters.

Kind Regards,
Our Islands, Our Future
Steering Committee