By DANA SMITH
Tribune Staff Reporter
dsmith@tribunemedia.net
THE Department of Environmental Health Services will move forward with the prosecution of land-owners as a result of the Shanty Town Report 2013, Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett said yesterday.
He explained the government does have a plan of action in view of the report, which will involve a “collaborative approach” by several ministries in addressing the issue.
His ministry will move forward with the prosecution of land-owners for housing and environmental infractions, he said, while the Ministries of Social Services, Works and Urban Development, Immigration, and National Security will move forward to tackle issues in relation to their portfolio.
The minister also noted the report proved no additional cost to the Bahamian people.
“We have completed what I consider to be the first phase of investigations and reporting, because as I have indicated in the past, what this report has revealed is shanty towns continue to evolve,” Mr Dorsett said, speaking inside his office at Charlotte House.
“They are growing and so the Department of Environmental Health Services will continue to monitor and investigate the shanty towns – hence our creation of a unit dedicated to this exercise. We also spoke about the fact that we are going to take an integrated and coordinated approach to addressing the shanty towns.
“I am responsible for the Department of Environmental Health Services, therefore where there are issues of environmental infractions, unsanitary conditions, the potential for groundwater contamination, my ministry will get involved and my ministry will prosecute.”
The Ministry of Works and Urban Development will be copied on all notices of intended prosecution so when it comes to issues relative to building code infractions they will be able to take action, Mr Dorsett continued.
“The Ministry of Social Services are also copied on all of our notices so they are aware of what we are doing. All of the data that we receive in relation to who occupies these properties – the number of adults, the children and so forth – all of that is passed on to Social Services so that team is also involved in that process,” he said.
“The Ministry of Immigration and National Security are also apprised, together with the Attorney General’s Office who advises us on any legal procedures that we take.
“So it’s a coordinated approach and that has been articulated in the past and I will continue to articulate that so that people understand that there is a plan of action that involves several ministries within the government in addressing this issue.”
Mr Dorsett stressed that he cannot speak on what the other ministries will do to address the shanty towns, but the information is in their hands.
“While we are one government, when I speak, I have authority to speak on what I am responsible for and that’s environmental health services and environmental infractions,” he said.
Mr Dorsett explained the department will determine a length of time to be given before they proceed with prosecutions in the absence of land-owners correcting the environmental concerns that were raised.
“For example, we have come across situations where we believe that to correct certain situations requires from an environmental standpoint, certain investments to be made. If they’re not done, if they’re not corrected, then clearly we’ll proceed to prosecute,” he said.
“But that does not say that any other ministry will not also find any other infractions under the legislation that they are responsible for and take measures.”
As for a price point on the Shanty Town Report, Mr Dorsett said: “The reality is we did not have to pay for any external consultants or services, this was all undertaken by staff of the Department of Environmental Health Services.
“We have the public analyst laboratories so we are able to test what we find on the ground, ourselves, and so we have the qualified engineers and environmental scientists to do a lot of the research ourselves, so all of this was done in house.
“These are government-employed professionals who have undertaken a study pursuant to our mandate under the act so there is no additional cost to the Bahamian people what really ought to be ongoing work of the Department of Environmental Health Services.”
Comments
crabman 11 years, 5 months ago
yinna need to prosecute the govt officials who let this happen, next election I is voting for Bran, we needs a change from all a these poliictal pickpockets
TalRussell 11 years, 5 months ago
Comrade Minister I'll take your statement to mean exactly what it really says, that the Christie government is not about to spark any changes to how their 2002 -2007 policies, dealt with "Shanty Town's?" If, entire communities were constructed "illegally, then all structures, including illegal businesses, CANNOT be made to conform to building, health or licensing requirements and standards. You are talk'in pure rubbish. How in the hell can your ministry now say that, it has a plan of action, which will involve a "collaborative approach" in ADDRESSING the issue? Since when does constructing entire 'illegal communities," just be viewed as an issue to be addressed? Comrade Minister, they were around during your last administration's failure to recognize them for what they really are, "Shame Town's, except they have been left alone to have grown to alarming numbers, under both the gold and red shirts. Comrade Minister I guess the self-admissions, by both former law partners, just goes to prove, that the votes from the Haitian community have indeed weakened the resolves of both Bahamaland's Prime Ministers. The natives on this "let-down," by both their government's terms in office, must cry shame, shame, shame on both PM's. You two PM's did all this for what, "30 pieces of silver" votes?
proudloudandfnm 11 years, 5 months ago
This is pure 100% bullsh-t. You know they're illegal, you know they're a health hazard, you know their stealing electricity.
BULLDOZE THEM.
What is with all this investigation nonsense. Wipe them off the face of the earth. Take the defense force and clear the shanty towns out, then bulldoze every single building. Deport who is not legal and let the legal ones find someplace else to live.
John 11 years, 5 months ago
It will to see how this entire affair pans out over the next 2-3 years. Of course there will be a severe housing shortage in New Providence and other affected islands, and there will be a new flock of homeless people. When the government started prosecuting landlords of properties that did not have toilets and running water These landowners did not find it feasible to incur the expenses necessary to upgrade their properties as it did not necessarily translate into a corresponding increase in rental income for them. So many of these buildings were demolished and replaced with modern and more costly apartments. So this made it difficult for young people entering the housing market to find affordable housing. Of course landlords who have vacant properties to rent will see immediate benefits and this will be an excellent time for those who have rental units under construction.
ohdrap4 11 years, 5 months ago
talk is cheap
SP 11 years, 5 months ago
“So it’s a coordinated approach and that has been articulated in the past and I will continue to articulate that so that people understand that there is a plan of action that involves several ministries within the government in addressing this issue.”
Mr Dorsett stressed that he cannot speak on what the other ministries will do to address the shanty towns, but the information is in their hands.
Double talk, malarkey and pure horse manure!
How the the hell can a "coordinated approach" be unable "to speak on what the other ministries will do to address the shanty towns"
If it is a coordinated approach the left hand knows every move the right hand makes and vise verse.
Get off your ass's and shut down these shanty towns and illegal breeding ground for crime.
Not one hit and run homicide has been solved to date and cars totally disappear into thin air on an island 7 by 21. How the hell can they police who they don't even know is here in the first place!
bismark 11 years, 5 months ago
These villages were allowed to grow at an alarming rate under both administrations,the task is simple,where there is not an occupancy certificate issued to show that the building code has been adhered to,it means that these buildings were constructed illegally,bulldoze them,illegals deported,those who are legal,or who claim they are Bahamian,go and get proper housing and stop sitting on your backsides looking for something free,i have to pay a mortage as well as many other hardworking Bahamians,it is not fair for others to paying out thousands of dollars a year,yet some people want come on the side of you be nasty,devalue the place and dont pay a damn dollar.this has to stop,no other country this kind of bull is allowed.
John 11 years, 5 months ago
O Yeah "no other country this kind of bull is allowed" with probably the exception of Bermuda, name me one country in the Caribbean, Central America or South America that does not have shanty towns? I am not saying that it is right, I am saying that we must now acknowledge the fact that we have impoverished Bahamians living in this country. This does not necessarily translate to them" sitting on their backsides and doing nothing." Many persons have lost their homes to banks during this economic recession and many do not see the severity of the problem because many banks have stopped evicting the persons because when the houses sit idle they are broken into and vandalized If these shanties are dismantled recklessly, you will see people sleeping under the bridge, as some already do, taking shelter in storefronts downtown and elsewhere and, of course the crime rate will go up. The bible says the poor will always be among us. The government must make an appeal for more low cost rental units to be constructed. But who wants the headache of constructing and managing low end apartments, when you can spend a few thousand more dollars and build something that is upscale, less hassle to collect your rent and more income.
bismark 11 years, 5 months ago
They probably need to construct a few of these 'shanty towns' in westridge,then go to old fort bay,by the caves village,or in the ''white grove''and while they are at it why they just dont go over paradise island,let me see if anything will be done yet,some people dont see anything wrong with it because its not affecting them,typical bahamian c.....suckers,but you put one of those villages on the side of them,you wouldnt want to hear them tearing up the place!
john33xyz 11 years, 5 months ago
Sorry buddy, you have majority rule now - you can't use that old white argument anymore. Talk to the majority rulers about your concerns. Even better - the next time you get a chance to vote (the Queen only gave you the right to vote every 5 years) - vote for a Party that has not been in power any time in the past 40 years. The alternative is to keep talking and making noise, meanwhile some immigrants are working to use majority rule to their advantage when they soon become the majority.
USAhelp 11 years, 5 months ago
I bet the landowners run the number houses so nothing's gonna happen.
John 11 years, 5 months ago
whoever the dull whistle is talking about shanty towns in WestRidge, Old Fort Bay anf Lyford Cay. Common sense should tell you that these shanties pop up where they are less visible, where the residents have easy access to where they work and shop and where their kids go to school. A shanty town in Lyford cay is not an impossibility it is just impracticable..unless you get someone like Peter Nygard or Louis Beacon to support it.. But who knows they may soon need guinea pigs for stem cell research or just some more bodies on the beach for their "save Clifton campaign" and like the green minister says..'everyone is approaching this shanty town issue with too much emotions" but when he will see anything that involves human beings to this extent will involve emotions..
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