“There is a sewage outlet within ten feet of that ramp and that outlet is where the people overnight lay their conch in the water so they can serve it to the public. This of course is a health problem,” said the MP for St. Margaret, Pierre Dupuch, on Wednesday.
Speaking in the House of Assembly about the poor conditions at the ramp, Mr Dupuch moved a request for the appointment of a select committee to investigate and make recommendations to find a solution to the traffic, health, environmental and related problems caused by the vending and the layout of the area known as the Montagu Ramp.
According to Mr Dupuch, the unkempt condition at Montagu Ramp had also grown into an “economic” situation, and Parliamentarians now have to consider the livelihood of the people working there. He added, however, that vendors and fishermen must co-exist with the environment and traffic flow must persist.
Mr Dupuch said the selling of fish at Montagu Ramp began many years ago when an elderly man sold fish from the area with his sons to those passing by after getting off from work. He said that more people eventually started to show up at the ramp, and the construction of buildings followed. “What was a ramp then where boats were suppose to be launched, was now serving several purposes,” he said.
Mr Dupuch also recalled fishermen made a “racial issue” out of congregating at the ramp, as the Royal Nassau Sailing Club was next door. “I have heard that they said, ‘We have to stink them out,'” he claimed.
Shifting his focus to speak about traffic woes leading up to the ramp, Mr Dupuch said that traffic was backed up for miles before a driver arrived at Montagu Ramp. He noted, however, that this was not only caused because people were stopping to buy fish on the road and on the sidewalk. Others, he said, were also approaching the ramp to remove jet skis, while others were making an attempt to get home safely. “All of this here adds to a very touchy situation, and the reason for this committee would be to look into the variations and possibilities that exist of making this [area] livable for everybody,” he said. “Right now the situation is almost unlivable and untenable and it is causing tremendous traffic concerns.” Mr Dupuch concluded that the committee was to look out for the good of the nation and ensure that everyone in the country could live happily.
Montagu Free National Movement MP Brent Symonette outlined that the problems at Montagu Ramp affected all constituencies and residents in the eastern end of the island. He noted that presently, the issue at Montagu Ramp was not a political issue, although it could become political when recommendations were made to move or relocate certain individuals at the ramp. He also pointed out that there was an increase in construction of office buildings in the area, which also added to the outflow of traffic in Montagu.
Mr Symonette suggested the area be made into a touristic area and that it should be regularised. He also added that there should be further recommendations for public open space and parking. “As the island grows, we have to have public open space for persons to exercise, walk, buy fish and launch their jet skis and so on. That area is becoming a very focal area, it is a major traffic jam area,” he said, adding that the request for a select committee was long overdue.
According to Mr Symonette, money was set aside in three successive budgets for the ramp, and both administrations had failed to deal with this issue. He therefore concluded that it was his hope that a select committee be appointed to bring back a report under the able leadership of the member for St. Margaret. Members of the select committee would include: St. Margaret MP Pierre Dupuch, Montagu MP Brent Symonette, Cat Island and Rum Cay MP Philip “Brave” Davis, St. Thomas More MP Frank Smith, and Carmichael MP John Carey.
Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
