Social Services Ministry updates Disability Act

Social Services Ministry updates Disability Act
Social Services minister Frankie Campbell.

Fines to be implemented

Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell said, “Once written twice shy, Frankie Campbell don’t give those timelines.”

His comment came earlier this week when asked about when disability fines would come into effect for persons wrongfully parking in disabled spots.

“I don’t have the personal rerathor to go and do it myself,” he said.

“So, once I am relying on others I prefer not to give a timeline that would make me the lion.”

Campbell told media earlier this week the ministry is currently in communication with the Attorney General’s office reviewing the regulations attached to the Disability Act implemented in 2014 to ensure that it is up to date.

“We are going to put in place an inspectorate regime to ensure there is compliance,” he said.

“And also review the disabled parking spaces to ensure they are where they are supposed to be and that only persons who have permission to use them are using them.”

“And to ensure that persons who disregard the rules regarding them will have some consequence.”

However, Campbell said that it is not the ministry’s intention to gain money from Bahamians breaking the law.

“I know Bahamians get excited when there is a suggestion of levying of fines,” he said.

“Let me make it clear, the attention is not to collect any funds. We hope to be able to report that not a dollar was collected because no one breached the disability spots.”

__

This article was written by GINELLE LONGLEY, Eyewitness News intern.