Leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Branville McCartney has questioned the status the government has given to owners of shantytowns.

On Tuesday, Elizabeth MP Ryan Pinder said those notices have been given to several owners advising them that they will need to get their properties and structures that occupy the properties in line with the country’s building standards.

Mr. Pinder also confirmed that the deadline for those owners to comply had passed though he could not say what, if any, action is being taken against them.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr. McCartney suggested that the government seems to be dragging its feet on the issue in order to protect those owners.

“We would like to know what the terms of the notices were,” the statement read. “We are further requesting whether all shantytown owners have been served with the notices? What is the next step after the notices have been served? It is critical that the costs of cleaning up these shantytowns be levied against the landowners?

“Will there be an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done to determine the damage to the environment and costs attached to be paid by the landowners? Will the government name those persons who have committed such a travesty against our country or as the minister of foreign affairs and immigration stated that because these owners are elites in society they would be protected.”

The DNA leader also questioned what will happen to the illegal immigrants who live at those shanty towns.

Last week more than 100 people mostly Haitian immigrants were left homeless after their homes were gutted during a fire at a shantytown off Joe Farrington Road.

Mr. McCartney said the government needs to make it clear to the Bahamian people what exactly it plans to do with those people.

“Additionally, in light of the recent arrival of the Haitian sloop carrying over 100 illegals, the Democratic National Alliance will call on the government to reintroduce Immigration Watch in the southern region of New Providence,” he said.

“This was originally introduced by the undersigned when in office but abandoned. Immigration Watch involved the Department of Immigration, the Defence Force and members of that community to work together in a similar fashion as Crime Watch.“