EDITOR, The Tribune.
Greetings, I am writing this letter from Mangrove Cay, Andros.
My husband and I moved home to Mangrove Cay 32 years ago. My husband had a dream of a project to help uplift his home town. He visited the then Prime Minister the Honourable Sir Lynden Pindling. When he told him of his plans and how we needed infrastructure, Sir Lynden was so pleased to have a Bahamian coming home to the island to make an investment.
Our infrastructure started happening right away. We soon had more dependable water, our roads changed from curry holes and mud to real streets, we then had electricity for the Christmas of 1989. The Mangrovians were so happy standing under electric light poles so very proud.
When the Honorable Hubert Ingram came into office, he gave us electricity to our well fields so our water service was even more dependable. Prime Minister Ingraham then had our government complex built, which again lifted us up and made us proud. Each step moved us forward.
When the Honourable Perry Christie came into office, in one term he had our roads repaved, and extended our airport and put in lights for emergency flights for night flights. Mr Ingraham came back to office and served one term. Mr Christie came back for two terms and we fell back and are on the same path today.
We have no doctor, no permanent administrator, no one in the office of BTC, or BPL, on a daily basis. We have two days a week for these services. Our BPL person has been given a promotion and we are very proud of her. Her time is split between South Andros and Mangrove Cay. However, BPL needs to hire another person for the office.
Our BTC person took a package and now we have a person come to the office from South Andros. BTC needs to also hire another person.
The road traffic person no longer gets a rental vehicle when he comes over once a week from South Andros, so he comes over when another government person comes to Mangrove Cay from South Andros. Sometimes, he does not come for two weeks at a time.
We have just learned that all new drivers will have to go to South Andros to do the written exam. This means a trip on the ferry at 8am then rent a vehicle for at least $75 a day to ride up to Kemps Bay, do the exam and come back to wait for the ferry till 4pm. All this and a licence cost $20, my gosh!
I will now go to the Bank of the Bahamas. I do realise some islands have no bank and we are some what blessed to have these two days. However, the bank has no cover for people waiting outside for 10am when they open. Then you and the other people on Mangrove Cay may be in there up to four hours waiting to be served. We have a manager in the office doing manager duties. Then a young lady doing computer and money transfers on the desk, leaving two young ladies looking out at the “sea” of faces waiting for attention. Again, we used to have three days a week and are put back to two days. Our island is full of enterprising young hard-working, business persons, sponge men, and fisherman, not to mention all our small businesses. Not counting teachers, and government personnel.
Everyone needing banking services. Many stories regarding our clinic have been passed around all we know is the original building has been in demolition for three years, it now is at a standstill. Why, only the good lord knows. Where the clinic is now is definitely not suitable. No one seems to have any idea what is going on, it’s a big mess.
Our island was growing and moving forward at fair pace, now we are going in the wrong direction. We came home as did others to build up Mangrove Cay, but we are going backwards at a very fast pace.
We are asking the powers that be to help correct some of our tangled mess, please. We all love being here on this peaceful beautiful Island and just need some attention to make our life so much more.
Frustration is at a high level in Mangrove Cay.
ELLIOTT & PAT GREENE
Andros
July 18, 2018.
Comments
Porcupine 5 years, 9 months ago
Well said and entirely true. You did not mention that our MP is missing in action, as he has for the previous two terms. Shame on us for voting him back in. For all of our legitimate complaints it is so terrible that when our PM came here a couple of weeks ago, he only wanted the PR and did not take questions, nor ask any himself. It seems we really have no representation at all here. Perhaps we should keep our tax money here, and do what needs to be done ourselves. We are definitely not getting our money's worth now. Yes, it is sad for all those who had hopes of help in coming home. But, I see a new day dawning here. Many of us have totally given up on "government". We are determined to make Mangrove Cay a better place, ourselves. The Greenes will be a part of this uplift, as they always have. Yes, frustration is at a high and we will turn that into positive action, for us all. What has been the most frustrating, in my mind, is the false hopes and unfulfilled promises of those we pay to represent us.
Dawes 5 years, 9 months ago
This is an issue on pretty much every island in The Bahamas. As ever it comes down to cost. How much would it cost the Government to provide all that is being asked, and how much tax does this area provide? I understand that there are areas that must be subsidised by Nassau (well whoever we get the loans from really), but there is a point where the cost becomes too much. Somehow the people and the Government are going to have to work out how best to do what is needed without huge costs to Government.
DDK 5 years, 9 months ago
Everything comes down to money. There are two troubling issues here. The first being how much is ever left for The People after the politicians spend it on themselves and give the rest away to potential voters. The second is that the Government is largely Nassaucentric.
Sickened 5 years, 9 months ago
I believe it is time for some settlement on our islands to be abandoned. There is no way we can continue to provide services to so many settlements. The people living on the islands needs to decide which settlements should remain - if they don't do it then the government will. Without the drug trade of the 80's there simply isn't enough money on these islands to sustain/maintain so much.
Porcupine 5 years, 9 months ago
Sickened, I want to take a minute to respond to your comment, and to show you why it does not apply to Mangrove Cay. Mangrove Cay has as much going for it as most any ecotourist destination in the world. We already have a thriving bonefishing industry that employees up to 30 young men as guides, at very good salaries. We have bonefishing lodges, which also provide dozens of jobs. We have an abundance of marine products. We have blue holes, inland blue holes, beautiful beaches, a great barrier reef, great access to the West Side National Park. Most importantly, and I shouldn't even say this, we can leave our doors unlocked without much worry. Where do you live? Can you do this? Neither can most of the world now. So, the idea of a beautiful, tropical, safe and slow paced island is without doubt, increasing immensely in value. If you can't see this, I feel sorry for our country.. So, all we need is a little help to develop this island ourselves. But, reliable water would be nice, along with a Port of Entry which we have been promised for over two decades now, and a few other things like reliable internet, you know things that most of the world has access to. Things like that. I have traveled extensively, as well as through many of The Bahama islands.I promise you that Mangrove Cay is on the rise. We all know how the politicians love the big anchor and mega projects, so they can stuff their pockets full one time, right? Truth be told, we don't need much, just quit standing in our way. I promise you more leaves this historic little island than comes back to the people.and community. Public servants my ass. Honestly Sickened, if the government actually encouraged and supported Bahamians owning their own businesses and allowed the out islands to thrive, there would be much less need for social services and the attendant problems that plague a community when its' economy stagnates. Mangrove Cay will soon shine again. Please visit us next year when we will have so much more to offer the Bahamian and foreign tourist. Stay tuned.
EasternGate 5 years, 9 months ago
You are right. However, no politician has the balls to rise the issue in parliament.
BahamaLlama 5 years, 9 months ago
Canada solved this problem with equalisation payments: take all the income from the 10 provinces, then divide it by 10, distribute equally. It's not perfect at all, but it's a great start.
If resource distribution is a problem, analyze and redesign the layout more cleverly.
If central government is a problem, create an internalised federation - devolved government on each island with its own parliament/assembly.
All of these problems have been solved elsewhere, but the politicians don't seem to be able to want to actually research or learn how, i.e. by asking, or reading.
The issue in this country is a lack of thought: the problem behind the problem. And they're not thinking, because they're focused on controlling, stealing, grafting, and posing for photographs.
DDK 5 years, 9 months ago
Great idea. It may help redistribute The People!
One problem with devolved parliament on each island, the traits of those in control are always mimicked, wherever they be. There has been so-called local government for years, but everything still has to be approved by Nassau. Your last paragraph says it all though!
sheeprunner12 5 years, 9 months ago
The Greenes should be commended ............. What businesses are they involved with?????? You find a handful of such enterprising persons on most Out Islands ........ Sadly, the majority of native Mangrovians with large financial assets will remain in Nassau or GB and not return to their home island (despite Government interventions).
Long Island probably has the second largest number of millionaires in this country but very few of them return and invest in their home island .......... There must be a means to attract these millionaires back home to invest ...... like Randy Butler in North Andros ........ but not many are willing to invest in these depopulated islands with NO tangible Government incentives, too much red tape or FDI projects to attract more residents who will patronize businesses.
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