BY SHENIA ROBERTS
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
The Department of Environmental Health Services is continuing its mission to
remove derelict vehicles in the capital. The latest removal initiative was in
Sunshine Park.

Environment minister Vaughn Miller and state minister for the environment Zane
Lightbourne joined forces with Golden Gates MP Pia Glover Rolle who is the
representative for the area.

Glover-Rolle expressed frustration because there had been previous clean-up
efforts in the area but people continue to use the area as a dump. She called on the
public to refrain from dumping old vehicles on public property. She explained that
a sticker is placed on the vehicle giving notification to remove such vehicles within
seven days. She emphasized to residents that “the park is not a place to park your
vehicle”, warning them that these offenses are punishable by law.

Minister Lightbourne described these acts as “a serious environmental concern”
and expressed his deep disturbance by the continued dumping of derelict vehicles.

He explained the dangers of disposing of these vehicles in this way saying “the
liquids are leaking into the ground; rats and roaches are finding places to hide,
people are hiding drugs and weapons in some cases and it’s just an eyesore.”

Lightbourne says he and his team are working diligently to monitor these areas and
keep the community clean.

Also sending a message to the public, Minister Vaughn Miller advised that
offenders would be punished to the full extent of the law.

He said that these vehicles are not only a hazard to our health and safety but it also
decreases the value of the property as well as contaminating our water table. He
warned that littering of any form will not be tolerated and admonished Bahamians
to say something if they see something.

The minister advised that there is a hotline dedicated specifically to environmental
violations and encouraged residents to call 302-4240 to notify authorities.