The Tribune

ONE of our readers does not believe that enough focus has been given to the human impact of some of government’s policies and accomplishments in downtown Nassau.

“The dredging of Nassau Harbour four years ago,” he said, “has resulted in our becoming the number one port of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean. As a result of this, many of our taxi drivers, hair braiders, surrey operators, ferry boat operators, straw vendors and retailers were able to weather the worst global recession in 80 years.

“I cannot imagine the level of economic hardship they would’ve faced had the government not undertaken this initiative,” he said.

“The commercial port of Nassau,” he continued, “has been relocated outside of the city centre, freeing up nearly two miles of waterfront for future generations of development and begin to transform the water’s edge and our city. Over the coming years we should see this economic renaissance occur from the harbour to the top of the hill and beyond.

“This,” he continued, “is the foundation for significant urban renewal and will create countless new opportunities for Bahamians to live, work, and own homes and businesses. The young generations will be the beneficiaries of this bold decision by government. Additionally, hundreds of Bahamians are now shareholders in the Arawak Port Corporation.”

Although many are complaining about the roadworks – most of them suffering economically from the delays — when the project has been completed Bahamians will appreciate the advantages. Wherever one looks there are improvements and plans for continuing improvements. At least when this recession eases Bahamians will see that the FNM government has used their tax dollars well. The improvements will be a catalyst to excite the creative talents of Bahamian entrepreneurs and spur them on to creating an exciting town with attractions that will draw passengers from their cruise ships.

We shall never forget St Mark’s Square – the Piazza — in Venice, which comes alive at night with music. The voices of male baritones booming from the various small restaurants create an air of excitement. It is a square of music, lights, gondolas, and, of course, pigeons.

There is no reason why Bay Street — minus the pigeons, of course — could not come alive at night and fill the town with music. A walk over the St Charles bridge in Prague, which spans the Vitava river, is another delight — small groups of musicians all along the bridge — drums, flutes, guitars, violins, horns making music all day long. Music is what is needed — not necessarily junkanoo – to enliven the town and welcome the cruise ships with its passengers. Many years ago, small groups of musicians used to meet the cruise ships and interact with the tourists, as did the small boys who would dive for “coppers.” Of course, no one wants to revive the practice of children diving for pennies, but the music could return. It is a shame that we do not still have such old timers as George Symonette – “my name is Symonette, but it ain’t RT!” — sang George, cigar hanging from the corner of his mouth, and a large foot beating the ground. In those days grinning George was a great favourite. Just to mention his name should make old hearts flutter with wonderful memories of a different Nassau.

In today’s Tribune, there is a report that Carnival Cruise Lines’ Sensation Ship — which docks overnight in Nassau on Tuesdays and Fridays — will not overnight for the next year.

The cruise ship said it made the decision because most of its passengers stayed on board at night, because all Bay Street shops were closed.

Of course, restaurants, clubs, bars and taxi drivers will be the hardest hit. It is presumed that the cruise ship will still make the stop, but will pull up anchor and head for the high seas at the close of the shopping day.

However, within the next year — should Graycliff go ahead with its $25 million Heritage Village on historic West Hill Street, closing the street to all vehicular traffic — it will create a tremendous tourist attraction, even into the evening hours. When this happens, this could be the needed incentive to extend shopping hours into the evening.

All this will be the result of opportunities created for the future by the Ingraham government.

“We have to get out of the box we in, the box that Sir Stafford Sands left us in 50 years ago,” PLP candidate Leslie Miller said this week.

Mr Miller is quite wrong. Sir Stafford left us in no “box”, rather he distributed to each PLP House member a magnificent detailed blueprint for real urban renewal — not the kind the PLP talks about — that would have completely transformed Grants Town, and avoided many of today’s social problems.

The only tragedy is that the PLP were too dumb to open the book he left for them to study, and use the plans it contained to transform Grants Town. Sir Stafford left no one in a box. Those who inherited what he left did not have the wits to build on and develop his ideas.

It is now left to a new generation that we hope will continue to build into the future with a government that knows how to make decisions and act on them in a timely fashion.