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PM Says Shantytown Ruling Helps Govt. Address Issues

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A supreme court judge lifted a 2018 injunction today that has prevented authorities from evicting shantytown residents.

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2023

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A supreme court judge lifted a 2018 injunction today that has prevented authorities from evicting shantytown residents.

Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson delivered the long-awaited decision, as concerns mounted about the expansion of shantytowns while the injunction was in place.

The injunction was granted after shantytown residents asked the court to review the Minnis administration’s plan to demolish the unregulated communities.

Grant-Thompson lifted the injunction after ruling that the eviction notices were lawful.

Grant-Thompson said the court was satisfied that authorities had the ability to demolish dangerous or dilapidated buildings that posed a risk to public health.

The ruling gives the government the go-ahead to resume evictions and disconnect utilities in the communities.

However, the parties can appeal the judge’s decision.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip Davis, while in Eleuthera, gave his initial reaction to that ruling.