Chaos Erupts As Montgomery Village Is Demolished

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Drama unfolded in Montgomery Village on Monday, as the informal community was targeted for demolition by the Ministry of Works’ Unregulated Communities Action Task Force.

What began as a routine demolition operation quickly turned tense, as physical as bulldozers and other heavy equipment moved through the makeshift community just off Cowpen Road.

However, just when officials thought they had things under control, a heated altercation between officials and a resident occured.

Armed police officers moved in to restore order, eventually escorting everyone off of the compound.

Once the commotion subsided, the sound of heavy machinery took over as bulldozers began reducing the illegal structures to piles of debris.

A 24-year-old mother who wanted to remain anonymous, says she has lived in Montgomery Village for the past ten years.

Displaced Shanty Rsident –

“ Because I don’t know where I go or to go so I have 10 years now. So my baby daddy, they kill him and then I don’t know where to go.”

Many residents spent the morning racing to salvage what they could.

Bed frames, mattresses, refrigerators, solar panels, and clothes were carried out by hand as tractors and dump trucks waited nearby.

Officials say the Montgomery Community consisted of 67 structures, 64 of which were scheduled for demolition.

Head of the Unregulated Communities Action Task Force, Inspector Stephen Carey, says residents had been notified repeatedly since February of last year to vacate the area.

Inspector Stephen Carey – Chairman, Unregulated Communities Action Task Force

“ The residents in the community thought it never was gonna happen. From February of last year, we were informing them to vacate the premises.

“Every time we tell them to vacate it, they would laugh and they’d say nothing is gonna happen. Up to last night, we were in the area informing them of the demolition that will happen today.”

At the time of the demolition, over 200 residents were living on the property; among that number were 8 Bahamians.

Inspector Stephen Carey – Chairman, Unregulated Communities Action Task Force

“ We’ll be giving out 28-day notice next week. We just have to identify which community, and we’ll pass the information on to you.”

Among those watching their homes disappear was Haitian national Tanisla Mitus, who says he has lived in the Bahamas for 28 years.

He told Our News the high cost of rent has made it nearly impossible to find somewhere else to live.

As for what’s next for the task force, officials say they’ll be issuing more notices in the coming days.