The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I would be grateful if you would publish this letter in your column in order to convey my sentiments as a tax payer, a nationalist and a proud Bahamian. Here are some recommendations which I would like to offer at this time to solve the Haitian problem.

Recommendation 1 - Form a Blue Ribbon Commission with powers to sit from place to place and powers to summon any member of the public which may be of assistance in solving the Haitian problem which we have been experiencing for decades. This committee should be comprised of the following contributors:

a) Christian Council representatives,

b) Civil Society,

c) the Bar Council,

d) the Fourth Estate,

e) the University of The Bahamas,

f) the Rotary Clubs,

g) the Chamber of Commerce,

h) Talk Show representatives who have made constructive suggestions over the airwaves.

The committee drawn from this august group would be required to submit contributions by way of white papers and live interviews on ZNS radio and TV.

To begin in earnest, here are some immediate suggestions which can solve this vexing problem, especially having regard to the drain and unacceptable financial dent which, if the bull is not taken by the horns, can lead to further downgrades. The Consolidated Fund can bear no more harm as a result of the pressure which we are getting from costs involved from our hospitals and our schools, which is depriving our own people the immediate care they deserve.

Just recently we had a shortage of beds in our hospital which resulted in urgent operations to be delayed as there were no beds in the hospital, due to an increased number of illegal immigrants. Secondly our schools can no longer accommodate the students in the areas concerned where they live due to the increased registration of illegal immigrants. In addition, they have squatted on our land over the years and shanty towns have become a serious problem that has to be addressed. Maybe the time has come for us to seriously consider changing our education policy of education for all students from five years old.

The extra increase of births to illegal immigrants are using up resources that Bahamian taxpayers should be benefiting from. Our hospital pharmacies have difficulty in maintaining the level of medications needed for urgent purposes and other shortages make it hard for Bahamians to get services they are paying taxes for.

The idea of the gentleman approach, to visit the Haitian President to speak about the matter happens to be a band-aid approach, as this has been tried on various previous occasions, without resolution of curbing the flow of illegals into Nassau.

Recommendation 2 - Consensus drawn from that distinguished group should be immediately acted upon and a delegation be sent to the United Nations so that all CARICOM members to whom share a part. This would allow the members of the UN to appreciate the dilemma The Bahamas is in and to request some financial aid. As it stands now we are just making the money from Tourism and other taxes like VAT, which Bahamians pay and it’s being flushed down the drain, due to the burden of supplying fuel to Bahamasair planes and taxing further our Social Service Department. I think the time has come also for us to ignore this human rights plea on our psyche and make a decision in our best endeavour for the sovereignty of the Bahamas, the same way how Trump is doing for the USA.

Recommendation 3 - A more efficient way to deal with this problem is to buy a big barge with upper and lower decks, using the financial assistance received from the UN, to transport illegal immigrants, rather than transporting them on Bahamasair. Also, build a jail at Inagua and station a magistrate there to deal with the cases as they happen, and stop using the detention centre in New Providence to detain them. While in detention at Inagua, they must earn their keep. The men can be used to make blocks, using a block machine and the ladies can be used to prepare straw baskets and plaits to be sold in Nassau at the straw market. A fish house should be installed for the collection of freshly caught fish for later transfer to Nassau.

Recommendation 4 - Put an urgent motion to the House of Assembly to amend and make clearer Article 7 of the Constitution. Make it retroactive to 10 or 15 years.

Successive governments have failed in this regard due to

1) political expediency,

2) not demonstrating the political will,

3) allowing themselves to be caught up in manipulative democracy.

In conclusion I wish all true tax paying Bahamians who have respect for the country, to make a stand by expressing their feelings before our country is taken over by foreign elements. We must not be forced to adopt the shanty town environment which is quietly taking over our beloved country.

WHITEHEAD OLD FARMER

University of Wulff Road,

Nassau,

February 21, 2018.