The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I thank you in advance for the space to address two issues that have dominated the headlines recently, that if not handled carefully can have devastating social consequences for this tiny island on which sits the capital of the country, financial and tourist-wise.

I urge the government to tread carefully and to use all of its powers to halt and reject all proposals for development, that would further encroach on the rights of Bahamians to have access to two of the three major remaining public beaches available to citizens on the island.

It is mystifying why anyone, foreign investor or local, would target the area surrounding Montagu Beach and Goodman’s Bay which presently serve as two of the remaining three major outlets for locals to enjoy a beaching experience on a public holiday. Long Wharf has been spared for the moment although that is an area that is also worth watching, as that prime location has not escaped the eyes of our modern day plunderers. I am appalled that any government would entertain such proposals!

The cries of not enough beaching space for natives after every holiday, some place to vent and release the pressure from an already burdensome existence filled with exorbitant and unrelenting bills and not enough income cannot continue to fall on deaf ears.

The steady land grab of beach property by private owners on what should be public space is extremely disturbing and another one of those issues everyone says should be addressed but never is … that is until it is too late!

We run the risk of creating little “Sowetos” in New Providence and throughout The Bahamas. People are already very concerned about losing their cultural identities and some believe it is already lost (check the restaurant owners at Arawak Cay). This is a real event with drastic consequences.

I invite the Government (inclusive of public servants) to take a look at Hawaii and see what has happened to the native population there. Economics is a social science and if we do not pay attention to the social consequences of our financial activities, there will be no viable markets or functioning communities left to conduct financial activities.

They should also take a hard look at what is happening to small developing nations as they go about recklessly accepting the economic philosophies of the larger controlling nations. There must be a better way to buy and sell land and to prosper financially.

The government should do something for once that the majority of Bahamians would consider a smart move, as opposed to the many blunders that have plagued them in recent times.

ANTHONY “ACE” NEWBOLD

New Providence,

October 29, 2023