A suggestion that the current Progressive Liberal Party government would be wise to give some consideration, if it is serious about improving conditions in the Over-The-Hill area of New Providence.
Exactly why the FNM did not make a greater effort to follow through on what Mr. Allen suggested is somewhat puzzling, given the long-term political benefits that certainly would have resulted from the successful implementation of the ideas he put forth.
In an address at a luncheon celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Bahamas Development Bank, Mr. Allen said that for more than two decades he had been observing that one of the greatest challenges to the maturing of the Bahamian economy was the “difficult task of creating dynamic linkages between tourism and the domestic sector.”
Then he posed this question: “Can you imagine for the moment what it would mean for entrepreneurship, for tourism earnings and for economic linkages, if we were able to extend our visitors� Nassau experience to encompass the cultural entertainment, dining and shopping experience of an area bounded by Bay Street on the North, Hay Street on the South, East Street on the East and West Street on the West, which consisted of a network of safe, well-lit streets, lined with attractive local stores and boutiques, charming native restaurants, cafes and clubs?”
It certainly does not take much imagination to deduce what such a development would mean to that sector just south of Bay Street and quite possibly the entire Over-The-Hill area.
As Mr. Allen indicated at the time, the benefits that could accrue to both Bahamians and visitors are almost unimaginable.
Most of the tourists who come to The Bahamas obviously are lured here by the magnificently produced advertisements that quite accurately depict The Bahamas as being an idyllic place to spend a vacation, but once here the vast majority of them are only exposed to the attractive aspects of the country portrayed in the advertisements. If given the opportunity to do so in a safe environment, many of them would want to share in the native experience of this country.
In fact, more and more these days, taxi cab drivers are seen in the bowels of Over-The-Hill ﾗ through the narrow streets of Bain Town and Coconut Grove ﾗ with their cabs or busses jam-packed with tourists, conducting tours of these areas. Obviously, this is an aspect of New Providence that cannot be isolated from tourists once they are here.
This is just one reason why the idea proffered by Mr. Allen makes a whole lot of sense. If the scenario he laid out is followed through, the extended benefits to other areas of Over-The-Hill could be limitless. Indeed, the zone that Mr. Allen suggested in proposing that an area south of Bay Street be transformed to attract tourists need not stop at Hay Street, but could later be extended to Ross Corner, then on to Wulff Road, and eventually all the way to Robinson Road in the south.
Just visualize what this would mean to the Over-The-Hill area. All along East Street, Market Street and Baillou Hill Road, petty� shops would be spruced up spruced up and their owners would get a whole lot of business from tourists walking safely through the neighbourhoods.
The transformation would not stop with the shops; pride alone would encourage homeowners or renters of some of those semi-dilapidated shacks through the various cross streets that connect the major north-to-south thoroughfares to also fix up their places. And with the government now committed to clean up� Farm Road, Bain Town, Coconut Grove and other areas Over-The-Hill, this effort certainly has the potential to tremendously improve the ambience of Over-The-Hill.
And the economic outlay to get such a programme started need not be astronomical. The Bahamas Development Bank could establish a particular fund that prospective entrepreneurs could tap into, at low interest and with a minimum amount of �red tape� to qualify for a loan, to expand the scope of their existing businesses or start new ventures.
The most important aspect of this proposal, of course, is the safety of tourists who venture Over-The-Hill. Well-lit streets would be a good start to addressing this problem, but the area should also be properly policed, and responsible citizens of the community should likewise take it upon themselves to let criminals know that their unlawful activities in the area would not be tolerated.
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe has already demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has what it takes to be an effective Minister of Tourism.
Given this fact, he no doubt would agree that, properly implemented, this proposal could enormously enhance the cultural experience for tourists visiting The Bahamas and give added meaning to the advertising slogan, “It’s better in The Bahamas.”
By Oswald Brown, The Nassau Guardian
