FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell. Photo: Dante Carrer
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said Cabinet has approved the creation of a new House of Assembly building, which will be located at the site of the old post office headquarters on East Hill Street.
He said architects have been briefed and officials are working on a design for the building.
“It will be much better than the quarters for which we are for the staff and for members of Parliament and Senators,” he said, adding that it will be better for the public as well.
“That’s what this is all about,” he said.
“Can we deliver the services which the public demands from a building which was delivered in 1815 and has not had one addition to it since? It was designed for three staff, says the clerk. In 1815, this building represented the wealth that then existed in The Bahamas.”
Legislators have long clamoured for a new parliament building, and the move to build one will likely get bipartisan support.
In 2014, when a parliamentary select committee recommended an increase in salaries for MPs and the construction of a House of Assembly complex, the public reacted bitterly. The plans were then shelved.
Mr Mitchell, however, has frequently called for a new building. Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the limitations of the current structure “hamper the functioning of Parliament”.
He said the space is inadequate and noted there is only one urinal facility for men and women.
Yesterday, Mr Mitchell said it is time the country had a parliamentary building that reflects modern standards.
Comments
bahamianson 1 year ago
New parliament? Bey , you better fix the social problems in this country. 32 year old , jobless mother of 7 , and you talking about getting a new Mercedes? Government, you better stop beforw we have social madness!
JokeyJack 1 year ago
Doesn't the Bible say not to put old wine in new caskets ??
ThisIsOurs 1 year ago
This.
themessenger 1 year ago
Mr. Mitchell has frequently called for a new building. Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the limitations of the current structure “hamper the functioning of Parliament”.
The main thing "hampering the functioning of Parliament" is those Parliamentarians sitting within, and that would include both you and Fred Mitchell Dr. Minnis!
sheeprunner12 1 year ago
This is a great idea ................ The old Parliament buildings can be converted to a National Museum space.
That is a win:win suggestion ............... Good for the country.
AnObserver 1 year ago
Why don't we just put all the parliamentarians in a museum?
sheeprunner12 1 year ago
Observer, we can be negative about this, but it won't help us at any rate.
It is like the country's schools ......... build new schools and put new furniture and post new teachers with new administrators and hopefully a new culture with better results will be created.
Let us hope that this will be a similar end result of building a new Parliament. The country cannot function without a Legislature, whether we like it or not.
moncurcool 1 year ago
Building a new building and putting the same ole lame thinking heads in it does not bring about new initiatives.
Besides, why do we need a new million dollar building that these guys occupy less than 100 days in a year? There are more compelling issues in this country than a new building for Parliament
ThisIsOurs 1 year ago
"Can we deliver the services which the public demands from a building which was delivered in 1815"
A new building is undeserved and will do nothing to alter the unqualified seat warmers and desk bangers the parties puts forward every 5years
moncurcool 1 year ago
Exactly
John 1 year ago
At least the government owes the Bahamian people an explanation as to why this property is no longer being used for the Central Bank and why the plans were scrapped and the property returned to government after years of planning and millions invested. So now the HOA will be right next to the US Embassy for contrast and contradiction
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