An island beautification committee is calling for all residents to get involved in improving the island’s appearance as the country prepares to celebrate 30 years of independence.
Beautification Committee co-chairs, Joan Neely and Hillary Jones, along with other committee members, assembled at the Office of the Prime Minister over the weekend to rally support for their clean-up efforts with the assistance of the Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. Marcus Bethel.
Neely said members of the beautification committee believe that the cleanliness and physical beauty of our island will have a positive impact on the 30th anniversary celebrations and is asking residents to participate in decorating homes and businesses with a patriotic theme.
Neely said the committee has already established various outlying townships whose members are working in conjunction with Local Government councillors to help the programme move along steadily. The programme covers West End to Deep Water Cay and Sweeting’s Cay.
“I would like to encourage all of you persons in Grand Bahama,” she said.
“This is our 30th – a memorable one.
“Lets get together, share it together, work together and make it one in unity and substance.”
Co-chair Hillary Jones said that as she visited the settlements in West Grand Bahama, she was pleased to hear about some of the things they are embarking on.
“We understand that the Old Bahama Bay has said that they would participate by cleaning and painting from the Old Bahama Bay out to the main entrance,” Jones said. “As you all know, the West is our capital, and there is lots of history out there.”
She too is calling for everyone to get involved, adding that many major companies have already joined in.
Chairman of the Freetown Township of Local Government, John Russell, commented that lots of things are planned for East Grand Bahama, including projects in Smith’s Point, Mather Town and Sweeting’s Cay.
He announced plans for the areas, which included the completion of the cemetery walls, erection of signs at the entrances, general clean-ups, planting of hedges along the perimeters and coconut trees along the beachfront.
“We also intend to go over to Water Cay sometime next week to see what all needs to be done over there as well,” he said. “Every area of East End will be touched.”
He added that cleaning has already begun at the Gold Rock Beach and the committee in the East is committed to continue the cleaning throughout the rest of the year.
Member of Parliament Ann Percentie announced her full support for the project, calling it a “wonderful idea.”
“I am in full support of the committee,” she said. “Thus far, you’ve done a wonderful job.”
Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. Marcus Bethel congratulated the beautification committee on their work and efforts, adding that he is impressed with the enthusiasm of the committee’s directors.
“I am also very pleased to see the involvement of the various townships of local government officials in this island-wide cleaning campaign,” he said.
Minister Bethel said his ministry launched a massive clean-up and education campaign in New Providence, adding that the effort in Grand Bahama is in concert with what the ministry is attempting to do on a national level.
“Our intent is to move into all of the Family Islands, so this will be an effort that will be well ahead in its goal by the time we get to Grand Bahama,” he said.
The Environment Minister added that the key to clean up efforts is to make it sustainable.
“We recognise, in the Ministry of Health and Environment, that a healthy environment is paramount to a healthy citizenry,” he said. “The two go hand-in-hand.
“And what we want to do is to encourage and support every effort to clean up our environment and maintain a healthy environment for all of our citizens and visitors alike.”
By Patrick McGregor, Freeport News
