Flooding in Pinewood in August last year.
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune News Editor
tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
PINEWOOD MP Reuben Rahming said he will not support another budget that “neglects” his constituency and does not include financing to address long standing flooding issues in the area.
Mr Rahming said while he believes Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is the best person to lead the country, he does not “blindly support” the Free National Movement. He told Parliament he does not want to be put in a position to choose between his constituents and party loyalty, saying in that case, the government would “lose against my conviction”.
“Pinewood has suffered an injustice for a long time and my politics doesn’t supersede my divine conscience,” Mr Rahming, high commissioner to CARICOM, said in a passionate address in the House of Assembly.
“I remember every time I stand here, that this seat does not belong to the FNM, it does not belong to Reuben. This belongs to the residents of Pinewood.
“This administration has been doing good by Pinewood and this country. I don’t blindly support this administration no way — my conscience wouldn’t allow it.”
“I’m the kind of man I want to see the war I’m going into, I want to see the battle... don’t cover my eyes when I go. So everything I say is blatant and deliberate and I mean it with all my heart.”
He also said: “I mean it with all my heart saying that Dr Hubert Minnis, in my opinion and I will stand alone at that until God tells me different, is the best person for this country. And I am afraid of the alternative, I really am.
“But I want my people to know that what Pinewood needs falls within the money category. So I am speaking to each one of my Cabinet colleagues. . .Pinewood needs deliverance in this term. “We have paid into this Consolidated Fund after countless MPs after MPs and if God is going to take a simple shepherd boy (to get the job done). . .we need to do what we need to do for Pinewood.”
Mr Rahming said he has always been supportive of the government in the House of Assembly and was “calling in that debt right now”.
“In this upcoming budget, the people of Pinewood expect to have monies allotted for the fight against that flooding in that constituency,” he said.
“And no one could tell me that after 25 years that they have not invested enough in this country, in the Consolidated Fund, to be justified an allotment of whether it’s $5m, $10m—we have done miracles in these hard times.
“Whether COVID is here or not I am standing here saying Pinewood deserves it. . .Do not leave Pinewood, do not put me in that position because you will lose against my conviction. They are God’s people, so I am asking you. . .I am standing here not questioning your loyalty and love for Pinewood. I am standing here because I believe I can count on it.
“I am asking y’all to ensure that by next year’s budget, that there is a clear line item, that there is an allotment for relief and satisfaction for my constituency. That is all I ask.
“. . .Please ensure that these people experience ‘people’s time’ and a lot what needs to be allotted. I have to say it because it was in my spirit. I cannot and will not support a budget that neglects Pinewood, not again. They will not have another MP that will sit by and watch bridges built, roads covered, monuments built, great things done for everyone else—and I’m happy because we’re all Bahamians—and Pinewood is left behind. I cannot do it.”
The Pinewood community has been plagued with devastating flooding for years, despite frequent promises from politicians that the matter would be addressed.
In 2013, then area MP Khaalis Rolle said a new drainage system for the area could cost the government as much as $13m. He started plans for the new drainage system, however, the initiative was never carried out under the Christie administration.
In August 2019, Mr Rahming said more drains would be installed in the area, but warned they are not a “panacea” for the issue. At the time, he estimated $10m was needed to address the flooding issue in Pinewood — money which he said could not be allocated at the time.
In October, area residents said the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were exacerbated by heavy flooding brought on by rainstorms. The flooding pushed rainwater into homes, damaged items and was so high some residents were seen paddling in kayaks.
Comments
bahamianson 4 years ago
in my ignorance, is it a private development ? Who developed the area. if a private company developed it, and you bought it, then you should take it up with them , not we the people. please can someone respond , for clarity?
tribanon 4 years ago
Sir Snake made a small fortune many moons ago from building and selling low cost homes on much of this flood plain known as Pinewood. No amount of money can fix the flooding problems there and Reuben Rahming knows it.
The simple fact of the matter is, the very greedy and unscrupulous Snake should never have applied for and received the permits needed to build and sell homes on this flood plain. Rahming is only just now raising this matter as a political ploy because he can smell an early general election in the air. And he knows first hand just how fed up his constituents were with all of the flooding they had to endure during the very heavy rains this year. Does Reuben Rahming even live in the Pinewood area prone to serious flooding?
John 4 years ago
Only a full idiot would believe the post above. The first opportunity to fix the flooding problem in Pinewood was during the construction. They could have raised the houses two courses of blocks and put passive storm drains along the roadways like most roads in New Providence have. The higher houses would force the excess water into the streets and into the drains. The water is less that 12 inches so six foot drains could accommodate the flow. And as a precaution they can build a catchment basin in where water can be pumped out during excessive rains. Sandy Port use to flood over three feet with heavy rains and high tides. And that problem was remedied while increasing value to the pros.
themessenger 4 years ago
@John, I don't agree with tribanon on much of anything, but in this he/she is correct. Pinewood Gardens was/is a private development with the developers pocketing all of the proceeds from the land sales and who should also be responsible for correcting the flooding and drainage problems in THEIR subdivision, not the taxpayer nor the government. Higher houses won't force water anywhere as it finds the lowest level which is ground level, a higher foundation might keep them above water but the water ain't going anywhere. I suppose you would also expect the government or taxpayers to make good any structural or plumbing deficiencies by your private contractor in your own home too?
John 4 years ago
The messenger, maybe you need to reread my post. You said, yourself that water finds itself to a lower level but yet you attempt to discredit my premise that if the houses had higher foundations, the water would then run into the roads and into drains, if constructed, without the need for any mechanical assistance. And whilst you may be correct that Pinewood is a private subdivision, it is tax paying Bahamians who have been long suffering. And if the developers do not do what they are supposed to do, the government should step in and offer relief, even if it means battling with the developers afterwards and attempting to recover some of the expenses. Pinewood is a disaster that affects many Bahamians and it is sully for you to suggest that government should continue to turn a blind eye and have deaf ears to the cries of these people.
John 4 years ago
And it was the the invading , thieving foreigners who came in and cut down the hills in Pinewood and toted away the limestone valued at millions of dollars. Snake Wilson and his gang came in on the tail end and got the spoils.
birdiestrachan 4 years ago
Who remembers how quickly the road in the area where the PM represents was turned into a roundabout too many people were using it as a short cut to the airport..
A young woman lost her life because of the big boulders in the road with no proper signage
Now, what is the difference between those in the PM district and those in Pinewood?
Why not fix their road. it is because they do not really matter..
tribanon 4 years ago
It was none other than the PLP's very own SLOP who wrongfully allowed Snake to obtain all of the permits he needed to develop and build homes on the Pinewood flood plain.
birdiestrachan 4 years ago
Do these people pay property tax to the government or the developer? whoever collects the property tax is responsible for the roads.
tribanon 4 years ago
The real question is, do you @birdie pay your own property tax?
newcitizen 4 years ago
No one there pays property tax. No house is Pinewood is worth enough to qualify for property tax, because it's underwater for half the year! Snake and SLOP are the responsible parties here, only one of them left though.
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