Urban Renewal Co-Chair Algernon Allen speaks at the ceremony.
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE Urban Renewal Commission intends to repair over 3,000 homes in New Providence in 2017 via its Small Homes Repair (SHR) programme, the organisation’s Co-Chair Algernon Allen said on Friday.
Mr Allen said Urban Renewal has been “mandated” by Prime Minister Perry Christie to “go out and search out virtually ever home here in New Providence”, with the aim at repairing and revitalising some 3,000 homes between January 2017 and “the end of 2017”. He said Urban Renewal hopes to put in place a “super grouping of contractors and others” through government assistance to see the plan through to completion.
Mr Allen also said the Urban Renewal Commission is currently in the process of completing repairs to 1,000 homes.
His statements came during a key presentation ceremony for two homeowners on Quintine Alley, off Wulff Road, whose home was rebuilt during Phase II of Urban Renewal’s SHR programme.
“Next year, we have been mandated by the Prime Minister to go out and search out virtually every home here in New Providence, and we hope that we put in place a super grouping of contractors and others through the assistance from government and other sources, and we intend to repair, between January 2017 and the end of 2017 over 3,000 homes,” Mr Allen said.
“That is our mandate. That is what we intend to do.”
Meanwhile Mr Christie, present for the key presentation ceremony, called the reconstruction of the house owned by siblings Susan Moss and Reginald Bullard a “wonderful development”.
“This is something that just works so well,” he said.
“Those two people could never have been able to afford even to repair their homes. They both have different forms of disability and that is why the intervention is so meaningful. We have to find to other people who are in similar positions and do the same thing for them.”
Urban Renewal Co-Chair Cynthia “Mother” Pratt also expressed her delight.
“This is home,” she said. “This my people, and we appreciate every effort we get because you know what?
“We’re helping to build a nation.
“And these people want to know that they have not been forgotten.
“And so this is indicative of what we’re about in Urban Renewal, making sure that nobody is forgotten.”
More like this story
- Minister accuses the Public Accounts Committee of bias
- Allen: Govt intends to take contractors to court to retrieve funds
- Urban Renewal Plans to release report on PAC
- Urban Renewal co-chairs are ‘eager’ to appear before Public Accounts Committee
- Urban Renewal waits for PAC before pursuing contractors
Comments
cmiller 8 years, 7 months ago
I wonder of this is true? Its sad when that is the first thing that comes to my mind when these politicians make a statement. Our new reality.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
Mother Pratt and Bulgie are becoming the chief operating officers of the PLP "urban" re-election strategy for 2017 ............. lots of votes will be in those 3000 homes ........ votes for home repairs
B_I_D___ 8 years, 7 months ago
yup!!
themessenger 8 years, 7 months ago
Don't be honest with us, just tell us the truth. How many houses have been repaired during the last four years and at what cost? How many of the non-performing contractors who teif the money earlier have been made to finish the job or pay back the money? Y'all finish fixing that old war veterans house yet?And why the the sudden "gold rush" to repair 3000 in 2017, y'all think we all stupid as yinna ay?
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
No Small Home Repair report from the PAC yet ............ SIGH .......... Brave getting ready to launder (pass on to the Toogies and Bobos) another $30 million through UR2.0 for the election .......... Bulgie and Mother will be the legitimate face of the unregulated, nebulous program
pharoah 8 years, 7 months ago
The PLP is the most dry eye and just out right dishonest and hypocritical political organization the bahamas bar-none. How can they get away with this farce to buy the electorate with a wholesale give away of the tax payers money? Unbelievable!! They have repaired 1000 houses in four years and in an election repair 3 times as much. Corruption par encellence!!
asiseeit 8 years, 7 months ago
Who is paying for these 3000 homes to be repaired? If they are using tax dollars then I must insist that they do the same for each and every Bahamian. How can they justify spending tax dollars on certain peoples homes and not others? What is the criteria to become a recipient of this handout? My gut instinct tells me this is a VOTE BUYING SCHEME, nothing more, nothing less, with tax dollars the country DOES NOT HAVE!
John 8 years, 7 months ago
It would be good if it was true but this man has no creditability. None.
John 8 years, 7 months ago
It is just a matter of days before the Bahamas officially enters its silly season. This means there is less than one year left before there has to be a general election. (May 7 was the last one). This will be the first election where gaming for Bahamians in the country is legal and also the first election where the road works started and carried mostly by the former government are complete. In fact many believe that it was the long lasting, seemingly unend disruption to residents and local New Providence businesses that cost that government defeat at the polls. But do you know that if Bah Mar does not fetch a buyer and begin construction within the next 3 - 4 months, chances are slim to none that it will be finished and open before the next election? Then what about National Health Insurance? It has been postponed with uncertainty as to the actual start up date and while many Bahamians are in favor of it will they get to see NHI up and running before they go to the polls? Then there is the referendum on gender equality. Many still think this is "the sissy bill" and are not prepared to support it. Others have become even more skeptical after one of the Brussels terrorist was temporarily and wrongfully linked to the Bahamas. How will the PLP fit the referendum in its rapidly closing window of opportunity. Does it still stand that if the referendum is defeated the government will lose the election? Will the government try to tie the equality bill to the general election by having both at the same time. Then leaving the results to the new government to deal with? What about campaign finance reform and Peter Nygard and Louis Bacon? Also toggie and BoBo and the misplaced QC? Then there are the dump fires and the so many roads that are beyond a state of disrepair. Will BEC be blacking out again this summer? Will the dorm at Bamsi be replaced? Did the government do enough hurricane relief for the Southern Bahamas? Then can we overlook crime and murder? This was a major plank in the present government's platform but yet a new murder record was set last year! Then what about the FNM? Are they ready ? Can they put aside all their differences and be battle ready by May 2017? And the DNA? Some say they are looking pretty especially since they are the only party not caught up in leadership issues and the Nygard-Bacon scandal and many of their candidate s have been named. What about you...are you ready for silly season? Did you go in and sign up for the purple pill ( voter's card) yet?
sheeprunner12 8 years, 7 months ago
Well ....... we sure need a government to run the country ......... time for credible Independents to step up and take the country back from the Perry-led PLP and Minnis-led FNM ........... but there is still a glimmer of hope as long as LBT is there
hurricane 8 years, 7 months ago
I would be more opened to interest free loans combined with specific contractors/carpenters who are skilled to complete the work for less and in a timely manner. You gotta give people skin in the game. If you simply fix someone's house 5 years from now it will be back in the same condition because they got it for free.
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