Debra Moxey-Rolle, the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate for the Exumas and Ragged Island, has issued the following statement in response to the latest updates on the Rosewood Exuma development and the growing concerns raised by residents across the community.
The most recent reporting from Our News revealed that developers only revisited critical elements of the project after strong and sustained pushback from locals who felt excluded from the planning process and worried about potential impacts on their environment and way of life. For many residents, this confirms what they have long felt. Their voices were not respected early enough, and their concerns were not taken seriously until the pressure became impossible to ignore.
“It should never take public outcry for developers or the government to reconsider a project of this scale. The question every resident is now asking is simple. Why did it have to escalate before anyone acknowledged these concerns? Why was the project approved, publicly supported, and taken all the way to a groundbreaking ceremony before meaningful consultation with the people who would be most affected? The people of the Exumas deserve clear answers.”
Moxey-Rolle noted that another issue is creating deep unease among residents. “There is a serious concern about the relationship between government officials and the very investors they are responsible for regulating. When the sitting Member of Parliament and the Minister of Investments are seen riding in the developer’s boat, residents are right to question whether this crosses a line. Even the perception of a conflict of interest undermines trust and raises doubts about whose interests are truly being protected.”
“I believe public officials must uphold the highest standards of integrity and avoid not only actual conflicts of interest but also the appearance of them. Communities like the Exumas depend on fair oversight and responsible development, and they deserve leaders who put the people first, not investor convenience or political optics.”
“Large developments carry significant consequences, and they must be approached with rigorous scrutiny, full transparency, and genuine involvement of the people whose lives will be affected. Our islands cannot afford governance that blurs lines, weakens accountability, or places investors in a privileged position over residents.”
She reaffirmed her commitment to the people of the Exumas and Ragged Island. “I will continue meeting with stakeholders, listening to residents, and pressing for the answers they deserve. Our communities need leadership that defends their interests, demands openness at every stage, and insists that every development is carried out with integrity, transparency, and true partnership with the people.”