Dear Editor,
 
I trust that the following suggestions on matters related to the way forward will be of some help to our national interest.  Some 77 percent of our population lives in New Providence.  It is obvious that New Providence itself is overly populated and land is no longer affordable to the average Bahamian.  Compare the average income of young persons, especially those who want to marry and raise a family, and one appreciates immediately that they cannot afford to purchase land, or as we say own a 'piece of the rock'.

Clearly the future development of The Bahamas lies in the Family Islands, where there are possibly hundreds of thousands of acres just waiting to be developed.  For example, the island of Andros is said to be one of the largest islands in the Caribbean.  But it is easily one of the most underdeveloped and underpopulated.  I suggest the following: Let's encourage a back-to-the-island movement by making land available to Bahamians at affordable rates.  

The government can first of all draw up a plan to create another city center in North Andros, which is in close proximity to New Providence, and thereby encourage Androsians to return home, as well as others.  Where would the funds come from to do this and what would be the first steps?
o Use the expertise of The College of The Bahamas to draw up a city plan similar to Freeport.
o Budget several million dollars every other year to put in the necessary infrastructure.
o Get the Ministry of Housing to construct affordable housing units.
o Divide up acreage into sizeable parcels of land for persons who want to build their own homes.
o Locate a branch of The College of The Bahamas specializing in marine biology and agriculture, using the most modem techniques which are used in places like Taiwan and Israel.
o Develop a Bahamian fishing fleet which can take full advantage of harvesting our vast Bahamian marine resources.  We might consider assigning land to discharged inmates of the prison who meet certain criteria.
We must be mindful of the ever-growing population that needs employment.  For example, by the end of this school year we will have more than 5,000 high school graduates, and many of whom will be looking for work.  In five years, we will have a total of 25,000 school leavers.  The question is where will they find employment?  It is said that the devil finds work for idle hands to do.  I wonder, do we have a national development plan?  Why don't we have a Bahamian fishing fleet by now?  What is the potential for exporting Bahamian marine products, including sea eggs, seaweed and many more, to China, Japan and other countries?  Can we depend solely on tourism to meet our economic needs?  Maybe it's time to put our COB students to work coming up with new and novel ideas of how to diversify our economy.
Politically speaking, maybe it's time for reform in our country.  I suggest the following:
o All MPs should be full-time rather than part-time, thereby giving their full attention to serving their constituencies.
o Wherever possible, the MP should be a resident of his own constituency - their salaries should then be increased to give them enough to live on.
Nassau is seriously in need of local government.  It should have a mayor or city manager to look after the special needs of the city center.  It is time for us to have an ombudsman who can see to it that certain laws are enforced.
 
- Charles T. Moxey

 

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