THE difference in treatment that some Bahamians get in comparison to others ought to shame our nation.
Family Islanders often find themselves not given as high a priority as residents of New Providence – with even Grand Bahamians often left to feel as though they are somehow second-class citizens of The Bahamas.
Since July, islanders on Andros have been plagued with power supply issues following a fire that destroyed all generator units at a BPL station.
Andros is far from the only Family Island experiencing power issues – nor are the recent problems the only time the island has struggled with power supply, but the fire has been disastrous for residents there.
Take seamstress Raquel Beneby, who was so frustrated by power problems that she considered renting an Airbnb in New Providence just to be able to get her work done as she tried to complete an order for 150 school uniforms. The power outages were so bad that it took until three weeks after the first week of school for her to complete her work.
Randy Butler, the former CEO of Sky Bahamas, who lives in Andros, talked of how you simply will not find some products on the island because there is a lack of confidence in being able to store refrigerated items. Ice cream? Not a lick of it. Medicine? Doctors look for an alternative.
Meanwhile, over in West End and Grand Bahama, with a by-election looming following the passing of Obie Wilchcombe MP, former representative Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe has acknowledged that more could have been done in the constituency.
This comes as both political parties prepare to battle for the seat – and despite having talked of no politics ahead of Mr Wilchcombe’s funeral, the PLP seems caught up in a dispute over whether any former MP, such as Shane Gibson, should run for the seat, while the FNM has had an internal debate over whether to run at all.
Such arguments about the political representation for an area bypass entirely the residents of the constituency who just want to be able to get the MP that will give them what they deserve, and not be left short as Ms Parker-Edgecombe admits.
Perhaps it’s too easy for MPs to ignore the needs of the Family Islands. The demands never reach the ears of many of the MPs, and Cabinet may focus on the islands with larger populations rather than address long-held needs for power, for jobs, for water supply, for all the things that New Providence enjoys.
It is interesting to note the tour of Family Islands being taken up by members of the US Embassy – we wonder what the stories are that will be heard by US representatives.
It is a familiar refrain that we hear from Family Island residents, however, that they are left short, that they do not get the same support as New Providence.
Our Family Islands must not be an afterthought – after all, that first word is important. Family. It is what they are. It is who we are.
Andros should just be the start – the fire was in July, why are people still struggling to keep their lights on? And how long must they expect to wait?
They deserve better.
Comments
birdiestrachan 7 months, 1 week ago
I was of the view that local government would assist in these situations
themessenger 7 months, 1 week ago
Birdie you’re such a naive ass, local government is a toothless lion when central government writes the checks. @sheeprunner is correct, an assessment should be done by the media for all the islands because depending on who the government of the day is will dictate which islands get what. The FNM islands get nothing under a PLP government, and the PLP ones get nothing under an FNM government, tribalism and cannibalism at its best!
sheeprunner12 7 months, 1 week ago
The Tribune should go one step further and speak to the realities that EACH island faces. Do an indepth Editorial on each island ...... one day at a time.
No need to romanticize neglect and suffering ....... our 242 politicians are plain negligent & derelict when it comes to NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
ThisIsOurs 7 months, 1 week ago
You forgot the fact that the people in Andros were bathing and drinking fuel for 10months from a BPL oil spill before any public acknowledgement from BOL. No public announcements not to use ground water, nothing from the ministry of Health.
Dont speak about Grand Bahama where for almost a decade residents spoke about weird smells, ground shaking, explosions and strange activity including men in hazmat suits walking around (the latter was one incident reported in the Tribune, sound of an explosion then men seen in hazmat suits and NO announcement from the govt), people dying of cancer and nothing.
Then theres the Equinor spill, the farmer being advised that he could not sell his animals due to oil contamination, was his property cordoned off? Were signs posted? How far did the contamination extend? Nothing.
In the US these incidents would be the cause for serious fines against the offending companies
Our high cancer rates are most likely due to more than just genetics but decades upon decades of covered up poisonings
Dawes 7 months, 1 week ago
Our Politicians don't care and we just hope to one day get on the gravy train. Nothing will change while we laud over these politician's as though they are gods, they are not they are useless and nearly all in it for their own profit.
DiverBelow 7 months, 1 week ago
Most are Barristers are they not? Or Wanna-be-Important-Team-Player, nothing close to societal leadership.
sheeprunner12 7 months, 1 week ago
The Bahamas is following the same path as other black-led countries in Africa and the Caribbean.
The only difference is that we are 50 miles offshore the USA ............... and we have US dollars flowing into the economy. But, there is no national vision to develop the country.
Unfortunately, the political corruption, cultural apathy, and graft that has taken hold of the country is derailing 242. We are heading down the slippery slope of a failed state that will soon be in the hands of the OECD & IMF.
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