The Tribune

THE Ministry of Social Services and Community Development has denied reports from a source close to the Bilney Lane Children’s Home, who last week told The Tribune officials are dragging their feet in the search for a new building for the children.

“On April 14, 2014, the residents of the Bilney Lane Children’s Home had to be relocated due to plumbing problems,” the ministry said in a statement. “It was determined that given the age, structural and other issues of the home, that alternative accommodation should be found. Immediately and simultaneously Cabinet approval was sought and received for the relocation and the search began.

“The first possible accommodation was viewed on April 24, 2014. Since then, a total of 15 places have been viewed, but regrettably for various reasons, none of these materialised. The residents continue to be temporarily housed in the same facility from April 14, 2014.”

The statement said the Bahamas Conference of The Methodist Church, which manages the home, has offered to spearhead an initiative for the construction of a new facility, “which is the preferred long-term solution”.

“In the meantime, however, efforts are continuing to find alternative accommodation,” the ministry added, while appealing to the public to assist in finding suitable housing for the children.

The closure of the Bilney Lane Children’s Home last year led to the “temporary relocation” of the centre’s eight minors, four of whom are disabled, to the Yellow Elder Day Care Centre, The Tribune was told last week.

According to one source, the children of the home remain “en route” while ministry officials “take their own sweet time” locating a new permanent facility.

However, when contacted for comment last week, Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin said the lack of a new home for the children was not due to lack of effort from officials.