The Tribune

IN TWO days, The Bahamas will recognize 53 years of independence. While July 10th is regarded as the birthday of the country, there is usually empty fanfare with little indication of the achievements made since 1973 that are worth celebrating.

A theoretically independent country, The Bahamas continues to hold tight to markers of British colonialism and US imperialism, with successive government administrations that have made a habit of writhing away when there are calls for change. They have continued to cling to systems and practices that do not serve the people, but that privilege the few who hoard wealth and hold seats of decision-making power.

The list of what ails our “modern” country is long:

· The roads are riddled with potholes that become even more treacherous when it rains and undressing flooding conceals them, causing considerable damage to vehicles and cost to drivers.

· Traffic lights stop working and are without repair for extended periods of time.

· Accidents block traffic, sometimes for hours, when law-abiding drivers wait for traffic police to show up.

·  There is nowhere to go when emergency vehicles blare their horns, trying to make their way through the lanes of traffic that are constrained by ill-advised medians.

·  Driving at night is a game of chance on dark roads with little to no lighting, forcing people to turn on their bright lights, often failing to dim them as a courtesy to oncoming traffic, decreasing visibility.

Is this the road to 60?

In The Bahamas, in the year 2026, we cannot plan with confidence. We cannot fully, enthusiastically embrace technology. We cannot confidently invest in household appliances or commercial equipment. We cannot count on the air conditioning units we splurge on to keep us cool on the hottest of days. We cannot look forward to a family movie night in. We cannot promise the children in our lives an evening of gaming together. We cannot keep the lights on.

Every aspect of our lives is affected by the infuriating fact that we do not know--from one day to the next, or even one minute to the next--if the electricity will be on. We are told over and over again of the “temporary disruption in power supply,” “emergency overhead repairs,” and the various fires, lightning strikes, and other events that stop washing machines, end Zoom meetings, ruin expensive electronics, and prevent dialysis treatment, among other inconveniences and dangers.

It’s absurd, irresponsible, and unconscionable to expect every household and business to invest in its own generator, purchase the fuel required to run it, and be consistent in maintenance, all to ensure there is adequate lighting, running water, communication, temperature control, and medical care.

Pregnant people are already struggling to manage the changes in their bodies as the temperature rises during the summer months. People taking care of babies try to keep them healthy and comfortable, preventing skin conditions, colds, and other ailments. People going through menopause are trying to regulate their body temperatures as symptoms appear and change in intensity without warning. Elderly people are experiencing a heat they never imagined was possible, many of them dependent on family members or caregivers for support. People who are ill may have heat intolerance that is overlooked and they may not even be able to communicate their discomfort. No one is enjoying the heat that is intensified and unmitigated when the electricity is off. And some suffer much more than others.

Less than one month ago, Minister of Energy and Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis confidently stated that BPL had the capacity to meet the summer demand for electricity. Members of the public were, of course, skeptical. We have heard this before, and we have suffered the consequences of long-term reliance on subpar equipment and the complete failure to bring energy reform. Blackouts come our way even without heavy rain, lightning, and wind. The sun can shine its brightest and there could be no clouds in the sky. Still, there is no guarantee that the refrigerator and its contents are safe.

There is general confusion about the roles of the different entities involved in the provision of electricity. Why does BPL tell the public that BGC is working on restoration? What is the deal with Pike? No one seems to know. The truth of the matter may be that the public does not actually care, as long as we receive the service for which we pay, often exorbitant amounts. Despite the high bills, the questions, and the blazing sun, we remain, literally and figuratively, in the dark.

As the energy crisis continues, we look to Members of Parliament to speak up as our representatives. At this time, as with many others, we wonder aloud, “What are they there for?” In particular, there is concern about the number of wealthy people in Parliament. What’s in it for them? Surely, if they wanted to contribute to the development of the nation, they could do so with their money. Do they not know what is needed? Given their finances, probably not! Are they incapable of asking us? Given their social status, they’re probably not interested. That does not mean, however, that we cannot make it known.

What could millionaires and billionaires do to support national development without taking up space in parliament? Here are a few good places for the wealthy to put their money:

1. Provide land for the development of community gardens. Increase food security, teach new skills, create green spaces, and build community by making land available to grow food, flowers, and trees. People of all ages can participate in the planning, development, and maintenance of the garden, deciding what to grow and how to organize the work among themselves. It is an opportunity to learn about agriculture, work together as a team, and resource the community with a beautiful space and source of food.

2. Build solar farms to provide electricity in inner city communities. Expanding beyond rooftop solar panels for individual buildings, solar farms generate energy for wider distribution. The sun is shining every single day, and instead of just having our energy drained by it, we ought to make the best use of it as a source of energy, generating electricity in a sustainable way.

3. Develop a nightlife scene in downtown Nassau featuring local talent. Lights, music, seating, and vendors go a long way in bringing a place to life. Engage musicians, writers, storytellers, visual artists, dancers, and artists of other media to share their talent, inspire young people, entertain Bahamians, and bring life to the downtown area. Live music has proven to draw crowds. Open mic events have dedicated followings. Artists are always looking for opportunities to perform and, importantly, be paid. Center and prioritize Bahamians in all efforts to revitalize downtown Nassau and the energy it brings will attract tourists—and their money too. The key, however, is to do it for Bahamians and pay the artists for their work.

4. Fund Caribbean exchange programs. Expose Bahamians to other parts of the region and welcome Caribbean people to The Bahamas. We are in the same region and have shared history, yet there are differences in our infrastructure, cultural practices, political participation, social behavior, and ways of daily living that can only be experienced. We are at a disadvantage when we are deprived of opportunities to learn about one another and, by extension, deepening our understanding of ourselves.

5. Invest in public schools. Libraries, gymnasiums, science labs, technology integration, and swimming pools that are fit for purpose and properly maintained should be the norm for all students. Every student should have access to mental health professionals, career counseling, and tools and methods to support their learning styles.

6.  Build a secure facility to house perpetrators of domestic violence. There have been calls for more shelters for survivors of domestic violence for many years. Still, there are far too few shelters to meet the needs of women and children fleeing violent situations. While we have become accustomed to the displacement of survivors, it’s not the only way, nor is it the best way. We need to shift to the removal of perpetrators, enabling survivors to remain in their homes and relieving them of the pressure to find safe housing. Perpetrators living in the dedicated facility can be monitored and kept away from the survivor until further legal action is taken.

7. Provide swimming lessons for all school-age children. Every student should learn to swim before leaving the school system. Further, every student should have the opportunity to earn lifeguard certification.

8.  Offer research grants. There is always a need for data, and there is almost always a lack of data. There are people with the skills to fill the gap. Research, across the board, is underfunded. We could benefit from studies on gender-based violence, noncommunicable diseases, learning differences, small business survival, climate-related changes in landscape,

9. Fund study abroad programs for students at University of The Bahamas. Give young people the opportunity to experience life in another country. Expand their networks. Encourage exposure to different cultures. Increase the possibilities in the minds of the people who are creating the future.

July 6 was Frida Kahlo’s birthday. Consider her words.

“I am convinced that I stand against counterrevolution, against imperialism, fascism, religion, stupidity, capitalism, and the full range of bourgeois tricks. I want to take part in the revolution to transform the world into a classless one, and to help bring about a better rhythm of life for the oppressed classes.”

To properly pave the road to 60, to live in the light, to direct resources to where they are most needed, we would have to dismantle systems that have become familiar (and confused with comfortable) for many, and sources of power for others. Kahlo named some of them, and there are others we know well.

For what reason is the development that ought to accompany independence being delayed, and for whose benefit? To move beyond this sad state of affairs, we have to commit and follow through.

“Progress," they said. Let’s make progress what they do.