“The Davis administration is once again proving that they lack the vision required to solve
national crises. This time, it is the demolition of shantytowns across The Bahamas. Instead of
addressing this long-standing issue with foresight and transformative policies, the PLP
government has chosen the same old approach that continues to make the problem worse.”
“In July, the Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, Clay Sweeting, issued nearly 200
eviction notices in New Providence and sent demolition teams into Eleuthera, with Andros next
on the list. Sweeting admitted that some of these same communities had already been
demolished and rebuilt because people had nowhere else to go. Families were given only 30
days’ notice.”
“It is obvious that the previous approach did not create a lasting solution to this problem, but
Sweeting seems eager to repeat the same mistakes again and again.”
“While expedited repatriation exercises are necessary for those without a legal right to reside in
The Bahamas, a structured process should already have been in place to support and stabilize
Bahamians in shanty towns who do have that right. These are our people — Bahamians
struggling under the weight of a cost-of-living crisis, yet they continue to face limited access to
safe and affordable housing.”
“The government must tackle this issue holistically, not settle for measures that sound good, but
don’t fix the real problem. You will never eradicate shantytowns without uprooting the
conditions that fuel their growth and expansion.”
“Under a previous FNM administration, we began a legal process to remove all shantytowns
back in 2018. Progress was halted because of a court challenge and injunction, not because of
inaction. In our plan, we announced that all illegal residents were required to vacate and report to
the Department of Immigration. Illegal structures were demolished. Bahamians living in those
villages were offered upgrades to their existing homes at reduced cost or the chance to own a
small home at an affordable mortgage rate. Demolished areas were converted into proper low-
and middle-income subdivisions. This is how communities such as Pride Estates #3, Mackey
Yard, Dignity #3, and areas in Abaco were transformed into respectable, thriving Bahamian
subdivisions.”
“There is no denying that illegal structures cannot be tolerated in a modern-Bahamas, but the
objective should be to ensure that illegal communities, once dismantled, stay gone. Instead of
reinventing the wheel, the PLP should take a page out of the FNM’s book. Or better yet, study
the entire Blueprint. Bulldozing communities without consideration for disadvantaged
Bahamians is amateurish and irresponsible.”
“The FNM has already shown what government can achieve when you enforce the law and treat
people with respect—The PLP only needs to follow our example.”