“I think The Bahamas should participate more but have a more independent say so we could target more stuff” COOPER’S TOWN, ABACO — When Kirk Murray is not fighting fires in his local community, he is igniting meaningful discourse about a hot-button issue plaguing the Caribbean region at large: climate change. Within his purview as […]
Tag: Abaco news
“ENCOURAGING FIRST STEP”: Abaco chamber welcomes housing proposal and other infrastructure initiatives
Govt reviewing 150 house-building proposals for Abaco Davis said his govt focused on “the ongoing suffering of the people” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Abaco Chamber of Commerce Director Krista Albury said yesterday Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis’ announcement that the government is reviewing a housing proposal for 150 homes is a “breath of fresh air”. “I […]
“DOING IT WITH DECENCY”: 10 shantytown structures demolished; 200 more to go
What happens to displaced shantytown residents? Bannister says that’s not his problem “It’s not my responsibility to take care of those residents” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government demolished 10 illegal housing structures in the Farm shantytown on Abaco over the weekend, as it continues its third phase of eradicating such dwellings throughout the country. Deputy […]
RUNNING OUT OF TIME: “Uncertainty” looms as Dorian tax breaks set to expire, says Abaco Chamber
Hutton says Abaco residents have tried to engage govt to no avail NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With the Hurricane Dorian tax breaks set to expire at the end of June, Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday there is now a great deal of “uncertainty” on the island among residents and second homeowners looking to rebuild. […]
BAD TO WORSE: Shantytown resurgence further exacerbates Abaco’s “housing crisis”, says Chamber president
ABACO, BAHAMAS — The re-emergence of shantytowns on Abaco is merely exacerbating the housing crisis on the hurricane-ravaged island, according to its Chamber of Commerce president. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president, told Eyewitness News: “I’m not taking sides on the issue, because that is not we do that, but we support the […]
UN experts urge The Bahamas to halt plans to demolish 600 homes in Abaco shantytown
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — United Nations human rights experts today called on the Bahamas to halt planned demolitions this week of approximately 600 homes at two informal settlements known as the Farm and the Farm Road in Abaco. In a statement released this morning, the experts cited health and humanitarian concerns that “the community of largely […]
FINAL COUNTDOWN: Govt set to demolish more homes in The Farm today
Some Farm residents with nowhere to go say they will “wait and see” what happens ABACO, BAHAMAS — After placing final eviction notices on remaining shantytown homes in The Farm, Abaco, earmarked for demolition, the government is expected to tear down those unregulated structures today. The notices affixed to homes yesterday in English and Creole […]
DEMOLITION BEGINS: Govt begins removing structures in The Farm; issues “final warning”
Human Rights Bahamas denounces the move ABACO, BAHAMAS — Forty-five incomplete and unoccupied structures in the shantytown known as The Farm on Abaco were demolished yesterday, making good on Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister’s promise of resolute action in the area to remove those homes. Heavy-duty equipment tore the structures down as some residents […]
FREED UP: Abaco chamber of commerce welcomes curfew adjustment
ABACO, BAHAMAS — The prime minister’s decision to push back the curfew on mainland Abaco by two hours was branded a “big deal”, especially for small businesses on the hurricane-ravaged island. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, during a COVID-19 communication in Parliament yesterday, announced that the 8pm to 5am daily curfew on mainland Abaco would […]
Three men arrested and charged for illegal landing following viral video showing migrants living in bus
ABACO, BAHAMAS — A widely shared video allegedly showing three undocumented Haitian migrants living in a school bus on Abaco led to their arrest and ultimate conviction for illegal landing in the Magistrate’s Court today. The Department of Immigration in a statement said an investigation was launched into the video after an official complaint was […]
GET OUT: Shantytown demolition to begin in two weeks; residents have 28 days to leave
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister yesterday affirmed that demolition of unfinished and unoccupied structures in the shantytown known as The Farm on Abaco will be demolished in 14 days, while occupied structures will face the same fate in 28 days. Notices have been erected on newly constructed structures — outside the […]
WHERE TO GO?: Haitian single father in The Farm faces looming eviction
Bannister to address The Farm raid in Parliament this morning NASSAU, BAHAMAS — “We don’t know where we are going and we have 28 days to move,” said Rony Jeudy, a work permit holder and father of two who lives in a single-story structure in The Farm, Abaco. Jeudy, who has lived in The Bahamas […]
FARM SWEEP: Govt arrests residents in shantytown; confiscates suspected stolen property
Rights Bahamas condemns the govt’s actions as “illegal, shameful spectacle” ABACO, BAHAMAS — A multi-agency operation launched in The Farm yesterday led to the arrest of irregular migrants and “other persons who are suspected of being involved in various criminal offenses”, according to the Ministry of Works. The operation follows warnings from Minister of Public Works […]
Cash relief to Hurricane Dorian survivors has biggest impact
American Red Cross and Bahamas Red Cross use digital wallet platform to gift over $13M to 4,000 families impacted by Hurricane Dorian ABACO, BAHAMAS — When Hurricane Dorian slammed into the shores of the Bahamian islands in 2019, it took many things away from people who lived there. It destroyed houses, businesses and material things […]
Water restoration work on Abaco on target, says WSC head
ABACO, BAHAMAS — Water restoration efforts are progressing on Abaco almost two years since the passage of Hurricane Dorian. Executive Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Adrian Gibson said the COVID-19 pandemic has created logistical issues and impeded work but the corporation is on target. “COVID has had the greatest impact. Without COVID, […]
BOUNCE BACK: Abaco resort operator hoping for summer uptick in bookings
ABACO, BAHAMAS — An Abaco resort operator said yesterday that she was anticipating a “bounce back” in June and July, noting that while there are many small resorts and businesses in the Abacos welcoming visitors, the lack of airlift has proven to be a challenge. Molly McIntosh, general manager of the Bluff House Beach Resort […]
LET THERE BE LIGHT: Power restored to most of mainland Abaco communities, BPL reports
ABACO, BAHAMAS — According to Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), all mainland Abaco communities except Eastern Shores have had power restored after being knocked offline in Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. “As we have reported, power supply has been restored to all mainland communities with the exception of Eastern Shores, where work continues on the […]