PM Says Fire is Catastrophic

Sat, Dec 3rd 2011, 08:11 AM

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday described the fire that destroyed the makeshift straw market, the historic Pompey Museum and other businesses in the downtown area as "catastrophic".  "We suffered another tragic fire early this morning (yesterday) which has resulted in terrible damage, possibly catastrophic to the Pompey Slave and Emancipation Museum," Ingraham said during the Bahamas Hotel Association's 59th Annual General Meeting Luncheon at the Wyndham resort on Cable Beach.

In addition to the museum, the fire, which started around 3 a.m., destroyed the building that housed Da Balcony nightclub.  Ingraham noted that officials have yet to determine the value of the damage but he added that several of the items destroyed in the museum can never be replaced.  "Some of the items in the Pompey Museum  - like the paintings of Amos Ferguson - are irreplaceable. I think they were able to save some of the old shackles that goes back to the days of slavery. I don't have a full record of what was saved," Ingraham remarked in an interview with The Nassau Guardian after the luncheon.

Ingraham also expressed condolences to the entrepreneurs and other business people affected.  "The fire will disadvantage a number of persons and for that I'd like to express my regret [to] straw vendors and others. It will also end up costing the public money and it will affect businesses and for that we express regret," he continued.
Ingraham said the government will not permit burnt out shells to stand and mar the cityscape.

"We propose to move expeditiously to facilitate the launch of the public-private sector partnership beautification program which will have as its showpiece the Pompey Gardens and now, a restored Pompey Museum," he confirmed.  As to the cause of the fire, Ingraham said he will not comment or speculate.  Assistant Commissioner of Police Glen Miller told The Guardian that investigators are looking into the possibility of arson.

Ingraham added that while the fire was tragic, some good can still come out of it.  "The fire may in fact present an opportunity for the government to purchase or acquire the site of the destroyed building on the corner of Bay Street and Navy Lion Road thereby expanding the area available for creation of the Pompey Gardens. These gardens will serve as the focal point of improvements which will extend eastward along Bay Street and along Navy Lion Road and Woodes Rodgers Walk."

Meanwhile, Ingraham said the revitalization of the historic city of Nassau is taking shape.  "We have completed the replacement of water mains and sewerage pipes along Bay Street from King Street in the west up to Elizabeth Avenue in the heart of the city. Repaving is underway along Bay Street and corresponding side streets."
He said in the new year portions of Charlotte Street and Navy Lion Road will be pedestrianized and Marlborough Street will be beautified, making way for the creation of a new craft market.

Ingraham noted that the House of Assembly, Senate and Hansard Buildings have already been refurbished.  "Restoration and modernization of the historic buildings in Nassau's center will continue next year as [we] complete work on the new Judicial Building (formerly Ansbacher House) and commence the final phase of renovation to the Supreme Court Building, the Public Library and the dilapidated building at the corner of Shirley Street and Bank Lane," Ingraham added.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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