There is negligence in many areas of governance of the Bahamas, but nothing is as blatant as the state of the environment; in particular the proliferation of billboards and roadside vending in New Providence.

While the Davis administration is getting positive results in many areas, there are lapses and grand failures in the Department dealing with Roads and Parks.

It seems as though anyone can erect a billboard anywhere in Nassau.  If one drives from the airport to the city, whether it’s along Bay Street or John F. Kennedy Drive to University Drive, you will see hundreds of billboards advertising almost everything from real estate, church services, and places to dine.   The vast majority of these are erected without the permission of the state authority and are evidence of the lawlessness that prevails in the society.  In the eastern and southern areas, the complaint is the same.

Some years ago, under the Christie administration, the Department of Environmental Health and Roads and Parks made a great effort to enforce the law and instituted a policy regarding the indiscriminate erection of signage.  Today almost every roundabout has signs, sometimes blocking the view of drivers.   We call on those in authority to do their jobs and have these signs removed without delay.  Public servants must enforce laws without reference to politicians.

In a well-ordered society no one should arrogate to themselves the power to put up a sign whenever or wherever they wish.  In fact, this should be against the law and those people guilty of erecting signs without permission of the government should be penalized.

Another example of lawlessness is the expansion of the so-called informal sector.  On the major thoroughfares in New Providence roadside stalls are set up with vendors selling a variety of products.   In recent times many young men are barking coconuts and filling bottles with the water therefrom in several areas.  While we support entrepreneurship of these people, there is always a right way to earn a living.  It cannot be right to leave the debris of this activity on the roadside.   Is it okay for anyone who wishes to sell coconut water to set up a table anywhere?  Should you have a permit for this activity?

It seems as though anything goes in areas like Carmichael Road or Cowpen Road.  These streets are lined with stalls as vendors are allowed to sell whatever they wish.  It is doubtful that many of them who are not native Bahamians have the necessary permits to engage in such activities.  In this regard, the Police are negligent and have a duty perform.

 
Another area of lawlessness is on the beach of Goodman’s Bay on West Bay Street.  The authorities are allowing many people to sell food and beverages there, much to the chagrin and annoyance of many people.  This used to be a place where Bahamians were able to swim and relax without commercial activities.

 What is particularly egregious is the fact that at the end of the day, the beach is left in an untidy state with litter and garbage strewn everywhere.  This lawlessness must stop.  If it is not, we fear that Goodman’s Bay which is in the heart of luxurious tourist resorts, will become like Arawak Cay which grew without any planning or good order.   Many years ago, two people had tables there selling freshly caught fish.  The place was allowed to mushroom to what is now called “The Fish Fry” with many restaurants and bars.   While this is a place where thousands of Bahamians and visitors now patronize, it developed as a result of lawlessness and could have been better organized.

While the informal sector has its place in many societies in developing countries, The Bahamas must be a country of laws, and the authorities must ensure that environmental regulations are in place and obeyed.   It cannot be a free for all where you can do whatever you wish without regard for decency and what is aesthetically pleasing.

The high incidence and persistence of informal labour in The Bahamas is increasingly recognized as an obstacle to sustainable development.

Addressing informality is essential and urgent to support inclusive economic development and the reduction of poverty.  It is incumbent on the government to design a set of policies to reduce the informality in the economy for orderly social and economic development.  A range of strict policies can help increase incentives and lower the cost of formalization.  The elimination of excessive regulations and bureaucratic requirements can help in this regard.

New Providence is a beautiful island and at the rate of the ongoing lawlessness, we run the risk of losing what used to be pleasant for Bahamians and tourists alike.