Prime Minister Perry Christie announced on Thursday his proposal to launch a “comprehensive” island-wide intervention programme in two weeks time in all communities οΎ— from Kemp Road to Bain and Grant’s Town.
“We’ve had clean-up campaigns before. We’ve had social outreach programmes before, but we proposed, on this inter-agency basis, to launch the most comprehensive social programme that’s ever been in this country,” the Minister of Finance said.
Introducing the Farm Road Project’s Computer Literacy Programme. Computer labs at Gospel Chapel, Salem Union and Mount Pleasant Green Baptist Church now makes the 10 computers accessible all persons.
Earlier this week, the Prison Reform Commission presented to the Government their report giving their suggestions on improvements to Her Majesty’s Prison.
With that in mind, Mr. Christie said he and Attorney General Alfred Sears, who was also present at the ceremony, would look into resolving the escalating numbers of men re-entering the prison system.
According to statistics, seven out of every 10 men that are incarcerated will return to Her Majesty’s, he said.
Addressing the social issues, Mr. Christie said that in Fort Fincastle, people were living with no outside or inside toilet, in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in Nassau.
“That was enough for me to recognize that we have to force upon the consciousness of the Bahamian man and woman that there are circumstances under which people are living in this country, trying to cope, that we must do something about. It’s not good enough to say that these people are nasty and dirty, it’s not good enough.”
Working with him in this initiative is Police Commissioner Paul Farquharson, who Mr. Christie said has appointed several police officers to conduct town meetings throughout the capital to spark a relationship with inner city communities.
The church, he pointed out, also has a role to play because they are in a better position to reach the community than the government.
“I believe that persons in authority, who are not politicians must speak more often, more openly on subjects of relevance in our country,” said Mr. Christie, explaining that more persons would “take in” the words of a preacher than that of a politician.
He then challenged community church leaders to recognize their roles, while recognizing that as they conduct church services there are citizens in bars just down the road.
“I challenge you to embrace the kind of community outreach that will give some of these persons an opportunity to consider that the path they’re on leads to nowhere,” Mr. Christie added.
The “sun is setting,” he said, adding that after the proposed programme targets criminal activity throughout the capital, there will be very little left. The Government intends to introduce the programme to Grand Bahama.
Also present at the ceremony was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom, Minister of National Insurance and Housing Shane Gibson, Minister of Social Services and Welfare Melanie Griffin, Minister of Public Works and Utilities and Gospel Chapel senior pastor Tom Roberts.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
