The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A STUDY on waste water treatment plants in New Providence is expected to bring new insight to waste disposal challenges in the country, in particular, the issue of outside toilets.

The information collected for the IDB-funded study, paired with Urban Renewal’s door-to-door survey, will go a long way to focus policy-makers’ attention on living conditions in the country, according to Minister of Works Philip Davis, who revealed details about the study yesterday.

Homeowners praised the works of the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repair Programme as officials toured several homes restored through the first phase of the $9 million initiative.

The programme has given 61-year-old fire victim Ephraim Lyons new hope for his dream of performing music on the national stage.

After losing his split-level home off East Street, and all his possessions, to a blaze, Mr Lyons spent the last three years living between a derelict vehicle and a small, badly damaged shack on his property.

Mr Lyons said: “I lost everything I had. At first I couldn’t come back, I didn’t want to come back, I couldn’t stand it. I worked so hard for it. The day when it burned it was the same day those kids burned in Fox Hill so the fire department couldn’t leave to get to me. So we just watched it burn in the community, just watched it burn, the fire department was not available I understand that. When they came they could only save the homes at risk around me, my home was already finished.”

Throughout the period, Mr Lyons said he never lost his faith in God, and his faith gave him the conviction to remain determined to overcome his setback.

He said: “How does it feel, I’m lost for words. I don’t feel it yet, it’s like I’m in shock. It’s like the setting of a star, the best people live in those conditions. It feels so good.”

Mr Lyons added: “Thank you, Urban Renewal. It is the organisation that has the ability to take the Bahamas to where it needs to be. This is the beginning of something, Urban Renewal is great. This is the best thing that ever happened to the Bahamas, this Urban Renewal.”

Mr Davis said he was pleased with the high level of works, and proud to be a part of the relief process.