The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday released $1 million to select social outreach programmes across the country making good on last year's anti-crime pledge to boost youth development.

Sixty-nine non-governmental organisations were granted funding to initiate or expand church, civic and sporting programmes in a bid to counter youth violence and crime.

"My government cannot cure the disease of crime without the input of other sectors of society," he said.

"We must tackle the problem together. As such, The Government of The Bahamas has decided to provide funding for community based organisations."

Mr Ingraham said: "The organisations here today are dedicated to social investment in our urban communities and in particular the young people who live there.

"Some of them focus on sports, others are church-based community outreach programmes, and still others teach leadership and conflict resolution. What all of these have in common is a commitment to nation-building and the continuation of the Bahamian way of life."

Mr Ingraham underscored the effect of social challenges, such as youth gangs, marginalization, drug abuse, and rapid urban development, on youth violence and crime in the cities of Nassau and Freeport.

Although unemployment and poverty were outlined as contributing factors to crime, Mr Ingraham maintained that these challenges did not excuse criminality.

Mr Ingraham said: "I grew up poor as did tens of thousands of other Bahamians. I and they choose not to become criminals.

"The solution to crime cannot be legislated or policed out of existence. Clearly therefore there must be other ways also to fight or prevent crime.

He added: "It is well known that social intervention in early childhood and the teen years significantly reduces crime. More important than stopping criminals from robbing us, is removing the idea that criminal behaviour is acceptable."

Stated programme objectives are: prevent and eliminate violence and crime among urban youth; implement programmes that transform young people into productive citizens; help young Bahamians to develop positive identities; encourage our youth to become economically and socially self-sufficient; and to discourage negative behaviour such as dropping out of school, engaging in alcohol or drug abuse and delinquency. Grant cheques awarded yesterday ranged from $2,000 to $50,000.

The call for proposals was issued December 1. Applicants were reviewed by a seven member committee of public officers from four ministries, spearheaded by the Ministries of Labour and Social Development and Youth, Sports and Culture. Of the 69 programmes selected, 56 organizations were from New Providence; four from Grand Bahama and Andros; three from Abaco; and one from Eleuthera, Long Island, and Cat Island.

The organisations will be monitored periodically by the government to ensure that objectives are met.