Nearly 5 months ago, fire ripped through the second largest shanty town in the country, burning through roughly half of the structures there, displacing hundreds of migrants, and claiming the life of young mother and child.
Just six months earlier, a massive blaze caused similar damage at a Shanty Town on Joe Farrington Road here in New Providence.
During the early morning hours of May 4, tragedy struck again; this time at a site which likely houses the third largest migrant population in the country. This latest incident, which, thankfully, occurred without loss of life or serious injury, represents THREE major catastrophic fires taking place in shanty towns across the country over a 12 month period. THREE!
Will the third time be “the charm” for this Christie led administration to finally take action? What, if anything will it take for this government to develop an actual plan in dealing with the proliferation of these illegal communities? How bad will things have to get before they DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING!?
These fires prove without a shadow of a doubt that shanty towns present real physical and environmental dangers, not just to the people living in them, but also to the surrounding communities. Several studies, including ones completed by this very administration have shown that poor sanitary conditions, coupled with the contamination of the water table and the potential for diseases and outbreaks are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
The government’s actions – or rather INACTION – in dealing with illegal shanty towns points to one of three conclusions. First, that this administration, like ones before it, is simply helpless or powerless to address the issue. Second, that they simply do not care about the issue; or third, that their own vested interests in the existence of shanty communities outweigh their commitment to acting in the public interest.
The Democratic National Alliance has long asserted that the country has sufficient laws to eliminate these illegal communities. The laws, which have been designed to keep such communities from sprouting on public and private properties around the country, already exist. Unfortunately, they are not being enforced and are further negated by political interference.As the old Bahamian adage so aptly states: “MOUTH COULD SAY ANYTHING” Clearly, despite their many promises to take action, the political will to do what MUST be done, does not exist.
But this isn’t news. The government knows the danger; however we continue to be governed by a group of men and women without conscience! We continue to be governed by men and women who continue to show a lack of respect and value for the persons affected by these fires including those who are forced to fight those blazes.
How long can this administration continue to ignore this problem? How long will it take them to prosecute anyone involved in the breeding, fostering and profiteering of this law-breaking culture? What will it take for the government to stand up, do the right thing and stamp out shanty towns in this country?
We are today a country with no order!
The DNA believes – NO – We KNOW there is a better way! We know that with the will to enforce the law, and the commitment to put people first, this issue which has long plagued our society can be fully and properly addressed.
