This was the message brought by Ministry of Health Parliamentary Secretary Ron Pinder, as he spoke to the vendors during a consultative meeting to discuss how best they could improve the appearance and sanitation of the Potter’s Cay Dock.
Mr. Pinder explained that the government intends to transform the dock area into a place that can be comparable to anywhere in the world.
He warned the vendors against dumping garbage and other waste materials into the waters in and around the dock.
“We cannot and will not allow the degradation of the environment to continue. We cannot and will not allow human waste, the waste products from cooking (cooking oil), the scraps from the vegetables and all other garbage to be dumped indiscriminately in the harbour in and around the Potters Cay Dock area,” Mr. Pinder said.
“We cannot allow the continuation of persons not keeping their stalls clean, vagrants sleeping on stalls at night οΎ— the same stalls where you have to put the food to serve to the Bahamian public.
“These sorts of practices we know exist, and they must stop. We are committed to enhancing the Potters Cay Dock area, enhancing your businesses, and enhancing the products that you present for people’s consumption,” he noted.
Mr. Pinder said it makes absolutely no sense for a multi-billion dollar investment to be located over the bridge, if the unsanitary conditions at Potters Cay is allowed to continue.
“We are intelligent enough, we have the know how, we have the sophistication, we have the resources, and you have been in business long enough to know how to enhance your product, and this government is committed to assisting you to do that,” Mr. Pinder said. He stressed that the necessary changes will come, it is only a matter of time.
Already at the foot of the eastern bridge, a beautification process has begun with the planting of a number of trees and other developments. The government, through the Ministry of Health and other governmental agencies, with the assistance of Sun Atlantis, will over time see to the transformation and enhancement of the Potters Cay Dock.
“We will not sacrifice the process for the profit of the dollar. We have to become more sophisticated in how we do business in this country and how we conduct our affairs. This is the 21st century and it is very clear that we need the proper drainage and proper sanitation facilities to hold and dispose of human waste.
“You and I know what happens here with respect to the dumping of human waste in this Potters Cay Dock area and it must stop,” Mr. Pinder said, cautioning that to every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
He told the vendors that they cannot expect to dump their refuse into the harbour and not expect it to have some impact on the food that is being sold for consumption.
Historically, Potters Cay Dock was mainly a port of call for Family Island mail boats and a commercial hub for marine, fruit and vegetable vendors to sell their products. However, during the 1980s the practice of preparing conch dishes, mainly salads began and it grew exponentially, with many additions being added accounting for the boom of full-scale restaurants born from the conversion of marine stalls, changed the whole landscape of the dock.
“For many reasons the infrastructure needs and the regulatory and safety framework for such development were not given the desired attention,” Mr. Pinder said.
Although water, sinks and faucets were installed, major components such as sewerage connection, additionally strategically placed restrooms facilities and electricity were not put in place. Mr. Pinder noted that the situation has resulted in some environmental degradation on land and sea, structural breaches, fire and safety and operational deficiencies.
“Deficient hygienic practices like improper hand washing, not thoroughly washing prepared conch in clean, fresh running water have synergistically combined with all of the environmental, sanitation and structural issues to heavily contribute to many out-breaks of conch poisoning,” Mr. Pinder explained.
With regard to dumping at Potters Cay Dock, long time vendor Archie McPhee blamed the problem on outsiders. He said for whatever reasons, persons dump their furniture, refrigerators and other garbage at the dock.
Mr. McPhee also called for property security measures to be implemented. He called for greater police presence.
Mr. McPhee, known for his no-holds barred comments, advcoated for the electrification of the dock. He said with no electricity being in place, vendors have been forced to purchase generators which are too loud and is a cause for a great concern, along with the use of propane tanks.
Too, Mr. McPhee agitated for the placement of speed bumps. He also wanted to know what happened to the previous reports and assessments that were conducted at Potter’s Cay Dock.
Danny Stubbs, proprietor of Stall #13, asked for Environmental Health officers to be stationed at the site on a daily basis.
Mr. Pinder assured that all of their concerns will be addressed and is under consideration. He said the government is proceeding “very cautiously” as to how to go about implementing changes.
“At the end of the day we hope together to cause to be conducted all of the necessary feasibility studies and find workable and amicable solutions for the way forward in ensuring that all of the environmental and sanitary deficiencies are corrected and the infrastructural, structural, operational, fire and safety aesthetic concerns are addressed,” Mr. Pinder said.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
