The chief district councillor, members of the local government structure on the island and of the central government can ask themselves some pertinent questions, to which they will readily have the answers. It will then be time for them to take action.
1. How is it possible for illegal immigrants to be operating a full scale strip club and gambling house, that the authorities know about and are unable to close down?
2. How is it possible for these operations to be carried out in a structure built on crown land (government), which does not have electricity or running water?
3. Why does the ministry of works need a directive from local government to have the building taken down when the structure was built illegally in the first place, and is being used for illegal purposes?
It is obvious that all the laws are being broken. A night club needs a licence to operate. It needs a liquor licence, and a music and dancing license. It should also be inspected by the health authorities, an inspection that, without running water on the premises, should be impossible to pass.
So, given that the operators of this illegal establishment are wrong in every respect, what is there to prevent the lawful authorities from disrupting the unlawful and illegal activities taking place on the premises?
It is no good for officials in Abaco to say that the island’s law enforcement is determined to get rid of the night club when it appears they are doing absolutely nothing and passing the buck, hoping for some one else to clean up the dirty situation.
Yes, something is drastically wrong when people ﾖ illegal immigrants or otherwise ﾖ can erect buildings on government property, without permission, and the government has to dither about what to do. Something is definitely wrong when illegal enterprises can be operated in these illegal premises, frequented by illegal people and the elected, appointed and government salaried employees are hard pressed to do what is necessary to stop it.
We don’t need rocket science brain power to determine what is right and what is wrong. We know that. And we don’t need to appoint committees to study crime and come up with reports and solutions because we already have the answers. All that is needed is for the laws to be enforced.
Legal representation
Rodney Moncur made a lot of sense in his request that the inmates giving testimony at the Coroner’s Inquest be allowed legal consultation and representation. This is seen as necessary, particularly because the evidence being given by everyone else is so confusing and contradictory.
When the inquest is over someone should be charged with a multiplicity of offences for supplying those inmates with the tools used to cut through the prison bars. And there should also be charges laid against the person(s) responsible for causing the death of prison officer Dion Bowles and prison inmate Neil Brown. It is a disrespect of their human rights to allow those inmates to give sworn statements that could be used against them, without them being properly advised and represented by legal counsel.
The Nassau Guardian
