Executive officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs met several top union executives from The Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU), Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU), Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU), the General Workers Union, Bahamas Hotels Managerial Union and Bahamas Dock and Allied Vendors Association, to discuss a number of administrative matters regarding the public markets and the rebuilding of the six (6) stalls on Potter’s Cay Dock that were destroyed by fire on 11th April 2021.
During the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Hon. Clay Sweeting presented the Ministry of Public Works’ plans for the construction of the said stalls. It is anticipated that the new stalls will provide the model for other stalls on Potter’s Cay Dock to mirror with future development of that market.
In addition to the rebuilding of the stalls, we addressed the reorganization and development of Arawak Cay “Fish Fry” and Montagu Ramp and our interest in having the Blue Hill Road Market transferred under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs.
Minister Sweeting said he was pleased to meet with unions concerned.
“The ongoing efforts to restore normalcy is finally coming to fruition. We completed a successful meeting with Trade Union Congress representatives to ensure that we are in agreement on the way forward to rebuild, restore and revitalize the public markets,” he said.
“My Ministry is pleased to facilitate these discussions and we look forward to providing solutions to the existing challenges together.”
TUC President Obie Ferguson shared similar sentiments.
“We are very pleased with the response we got from the Minister with respect to dealing with the issues that are related to him. The Minister indicated that within a short period that he would get back to us and we anticipate a very positive relationship,” he said.
“The Minister has given us his commitment and we will be able to review the plan and I think the workers and the vendors at Potter’s Cay are going to be extremely happy and we are going to work closely with the Minister to ensure that this becomes a reality.”
