Duncan Town, Ragged Island -- A resurfaced airport runway, a dock and paved road are on the way for Ragged Island, and the 60 plus residents who live there are excited and looking forward to the new infrastructure.


Ralph Munroe, vice president of the Ragged Island Development Association is one of those residents. He thanked the Government and said he believes the ?time has come? for Ragged Islanders.


?We are few in numbers but I believe we have made a great contribution to the development of The Bahamas and this is the beginning of a new day for us,? he said.


?The young people are taking their minds back to 40 years ago. Many of them have already drawn plans and talk about bonefish lodges and some already have contacts for trade.?

The Government signed a $9.2 million contract for construction of a dock and reconstruction of roads, Monday, November 30. The contract includes the construction of a pier with ramp and a breakwater structure.

A $3,339,340 contract was also signed for the reconstruction of five miles of road from Duncan Town Airport to the new dock at Gun Point, and replacement and upgrade of the entire water distribution system in Duncan Town.

And a $1,729,259.58 contract was signed for resurfacing of the 3,850 feet runway at Duncan Town Airport.


?This means a lot to me,? said Verva Veronica Wallace, 81, a long-time resident of the island. ?I could hardly walk. The roads are so bad that if I don't have my stick when I walk on the rocky road I would stumble and fall.


?This is a blessing to me and to the island too. I have six children and all of them have left the island. When they left the road was a little cement road, so little golf carts and trucks were here.


?I could speak for my friends too; we all enjoy the old, rugged road and we are looking forward to better days thanks to the Government,? she said.


Daniel Wallace, 70, a catechist at Holy Innocence Anglican Church said the roads have been ?very? poor for a ?very? long time.


?It is a great sign of change to come that is taking place. It?s very needed and long overdue. It may even cause those who left and went elsewhere seeking employment to come back.?


Chief Counsellor Phsul Wallace who is employed as the Bahamas Electricity Corporation?s representative on Ragged Island described the projects as a ?privilege?.


He said the Government has been talking about the work for some years, but ?to see the day that contracts are signed and the work starts ? you can?t explain the joy.


?More people would want to come back home like those who have retired from the Public Service. This would open doors for young people who have ideas or want to open a business.?


Mr Wallace left Ragged Island to continue his education and returned in 1988. ?The basic necessities are on the island, but it was a little hassle when I started to build my house having to transport things from three miles out here which is where the mailboat anchors in the harbour.


?Young people have left the island because of a lack of opportunities. I think this would bring growth back to a ?stagnant island? because the island has been ?stagnant? for a while.



Verva Wallace is pictured standing near the soon to come Gun Point Dock in Ragged Island. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)



Ragged Island?s Chief Counsellor Phsul Wallace (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson