Urban Renewal Centres across The Bahamas will be restructured, re-opened or new ones created, to aid in the revitalization of the inner-city/Family Island communities, Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Anthony Newbold said Tuesday.

The restructuring of existing Urban Renewal Centres, creation of new ones and the re-opening of the others, will help to fulfill a promise made in the Speech From the Throne during the Opening of Parliament to institute Urban Development – particularly in the Over-the-Hill areas – by revitalizing inner-city communities (Urban Renewal) and expanding the reach of social services.

Addressing media personnel attending the regular Press Briefing, Press Secretary Newbold said a number of existing centres will be combined as part of the new direction, while new ones will be created in Mt. Moriah, Adelaide, and Bamboo Town in New Providence; and in Long Island and

MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay).

Centres are to be re-opened on Cat Island, Rum Cay, Central and South Eleuthera; North Andros, North Abaco and Exuma. Twenty managers will be appointed to facilitate the restructuring.

“The restructuring will clearly enunciate the new vision for the Urban Renewal Programme thus avoiding overlap and duplication of effort with what other agencies and institutions are currently doing in those communities,” Mr. Newbold said.

“In all there will be 25 Urban Renewal Centres in operation once the restructuring is complete.”

Press Secretary Newbold said the managers will be selected from among community leaders as part of a return to appointing leaders from within the communities “who can deal effectively with issues they can identify with and understand and who will likely be more effective than any Central Commission or Committee.”

The new focus is designed to help communities receive the kind of attention required to transform their businesses and residential and overall environs, into successful environs while eradicating the “in your face physical conditions that demean the dignity of our people.”

“All Bahamians are entitled to an acceptable standard of living, ready access to essential services and livable physical environs all of which this new thrust will provide,” Press Secretary Newbold added.

Mr. Newbold also announced that plans are underway for the implementation of a new Bail Management System for Criminal Justice in The Bahamas.

The system is part of the Minnis Administration’s commitment to the rigorous enforcement of law and order thereby ensuring that Bahamian communities are safer.

The new system will be fully automated, using biometrics and photos for verification. Designed by Multi-Media Technologies Ltd., a Bahamian company, in partnership with Justice Technology (renowned for their expertise in providing governments with customized software solutions) the system is capable of sending alerts and creating statistical reports.

By Matt Maura

Bahamas Information Services