Urban Renewal 2.0 is working ...and is succeeding within the inner city areas of New Providence

The success of Urban Renewal 2.0

Dear Editor,

 

It is my humble submission that Urban Renewal 2.0, despite the occasional hiccup, is working and is succeeding within the inner city areas of New Providence.  Some of the detractors and others who may subscribe to a politically different view than PLPs are quick to condemn and criticize the value and benefits of the same.

I have long held that a massive police presence within the urban renewal program is crucial to its success or otherwise.  The bulk of our home grown criminals and other societal miscreants live and operate within our local communities.  Generally speaking, we know who they are and many of them look just like us.

With the police actively patrolling on the ground, petty crimes have been noticeably reduced.  The occasional alleged homicides are still occurring, especially as they may relate to domestic disputes.  It would be difficult if not impossible for the police or other components of urban renewal to stop a domestically related offense because no one knows in advance what a perpetrator may or may not do within the confines of a residence.

Housebreaking, purse snatching and crimes which could be committed in public, however, are a different kettle of fish.  A heavy police presence, the demolition of abandoned and derelict buildings have brought relief to many within their respective inner city communities.

In addition, the active partnering between the police and other components has led to the ‘discovery’ of individuals who are living in sub-human conditions and crime havens.  It has also increased the capability of the police to gather crucial intelligence from members of the respective communities.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis (PLP-Cat Island) is to be commended, along with all of the related components and individuals, for the magnificent work currently being done within Urban Renewal 2.0.  The recent appointments of Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt and Algernon S.P.B. Allen, both former members of Parliament and Cabinet ministers will prove to be the icing on the proverbial cake.

They are both passionate about our people on the ground and have both been active in ministries which have impacted tens of thousands of ordinary Bahamians.  Indeed, they are both products of the inner city and are able to empathize with those who continue to live, work and play therein. Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie (PLP-Centreville) made an excellent choice with their timely appointments.

With the success of Urban Renewal 2.0, however, there must be strict compliance within the law.  Buildings should not and cannot be demolished without the consent of the certified owners and/or the appropriate court order.  Petty criminals must be assured of proper investigations by the police and, where charged, they must be brought before a competent court in short order.  Allegations of police brutality should and must be kept to the minimum.

The Ministry of Social Development has its work cut out. It is a vital partner within Urban Renewal 2.0.  The Minister and her hard working staff must ensure that those who apply for assistance are, in fact, qualified to so do and not merely seeking to fleece the public purse.  Jobless individuals must be integrated into a job training skills program and weaned off expectations of living “the life of Riley” without having to work for it.

Where we find overt alcoholics and drug addicts, they must be persuaded to allow themselves to be institutionalized and seek out-patient treatment.  A casual observation would reveal that a large percentage of the residents of New Providence are hooked on something of an addictive nature.  Too much productivity is being lost and low productivity is killing the gross domestic product (GDP).

Conflict resolution courses within our schools and civic organizations, especially the collective church, must be mandated. Statistics have shown that many conflicts, both within the home and the wider society, could be avoided and/or reduced if individuals were taught just how to resolve relatively simple conflicts before they escalate into serious matters.

I wish to thank all stake holders on the apparent success, so far of Urban Renewal 2.0 and encourage them to continue their stellar work on behalf of a grateful Bahamian people.

Yes, Utopia will not come about any time soon but as The Bahamas continues to evolve as a nation, if we all do our part and play whatever role we are able to perform best, I have absolutely no doubt that we are on the right track.

 

— Ortland H. Bodie Jr.

August 17, 2012

thenassauguardian

Urban Renewal and its success benefits the entire society ...and so every effort has to be made to involve, structurally, civil society ...so that it remains at all times a project of, for and by the Bahamian people ...says - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development ...the Hon. Philip Davis

By Eric Rose
Bahamas Information Services

DPM Davis Gives Update On Urban Renewal Commission

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis told the House of Assembly, on July 25, 2012, that, within the first 30 days following the 2012 General Election, Community Policing was returned to ‘Urban Renewal’ in New Providence working out of established Urban Renewal Centres and, within 45 days, Community Policing was returned to ‘Urban Renewal’ in Grand Bahama.

“Within 60 days the Urban Renewal Commission was established and the Co-Chairs of the Commission announced and presented to the Nation,” Deputy Prime Minister Davis said, during his Communication in the House.

“Dr. Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt and Mr. Algernon Allen have graciously agreed to serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Urban Renewal Commission.

“They have begun their work, recently traveling to Freeport for the official launch of the Commission’s work in Grand Bahama when we were all happily joined by the creator of the first Urban Renewal effort a decade ago and its continuing biggest booster, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister (Perry G. Christie)."

Deputy Prime Minister Davis added that the Chairpersons of the Urban Renewal Commission bring their “outstanding and unique talents and history to this critical programme”.

“Urban Renewal is first and foremost about ‘caring’.  Both of these eminent persons have exhibited a life of service,” he said.

Dr. Pratt’s life, Deputy Prime Minister Davis added, is legendary, first from her own struggles growing up, to how she approached each impediment not as a problem but rather as a challenge to accomplish something good, resulting in her own incredible achievements in sports, academics, politics, civil society and in her faith community.

He said she assisted “literally hundreds” of young people with no hope of an academic career, finding the possibility through the combination of her helping hand and their ambition and hard work, permitting them to secure university education – with many going on to achieving doctorates in many disciplines.

“Cynthia Pratt is truly a remarkable woman and a woman who always chose to look at what was possible rather than the negatives,” Deputy Prime Minister Davis said.  “She brings this dedication, dynamism and sensitivity to the needs of her fellow citizens who live in the areas encompassed by the Urban Renewal Centres as her responsibility in this new venture.”

Deputy Prime Minister Davis added that Mr. Algernon Allen, too, comes from a similar challenged background.

“He is one who set out to achieve in his profession in the law and in the political life of our Bahamas,” Deputy Prime Minister Davis said.  “He acknowledges that he remains a ‘political son’ to his mentor, Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, while he is a ‘philosophical brother’ to (Prime Minister) Perry Christie.

“Mr. Allen will be particularly remembered for his work in the ‘ONE BAHAMAS’ campaign and for his efforts to promote projects designed to provide for the needs of young people, those ‘precious jewels’ of The Bahamas.”

He added that the Permanent Secretaries of the "social" Ministries and other Ministries necessary to ensure the proper co-ordination of Government resources required to bring relief to citizens in need are members of the Commission, so that there is no lapse in communication.

“Urban Renewal is at the core of this Government’s Social Mission and every effort is being developed to ensure that there is never any doubt on the part of any agencies of the Government of this dedication,” he said.

The eight members of the Commission who are to be selected by “civil society” are expected to be named shortly, Deputy Prime Minister Davis added.  The Co-Chairpersons of the Commission are now in the process of extending the formal invitations to nominate persons to serve, he said.

He added: “The intention here is very simple: Urban Renewal and its success benefits the entire society and so every effort has to be made to involve, structurally, civil society so that it remains at all times a project of, for and by The Bahamian people.”

July 26, 2012

Bahamas.gov.bs