Government Moves From Assessment to Action

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Minister of Environment, Zane Lightbourne, confirms that crown land has been identified off Gladstone road that will be used as the future place for roadside garages.

The move follows a March 2025 directive from Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, ordering a multi-agency assessment of roadside garages and scrap metal yards after a major fire at Larry’s Scrap Metal Yard sent smoke across New Providence, and raised fresh safety concerns.

At the time, Works and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay sweeting on the defense.

Clay Sweeting – Minister, Works and Family Island Affairs (March 10th 2025)

“I don’t want us to negate the fact that this is a long standing issue in New Providence, it just didn’t pop up yesterday, but it’s been more prominent because of the last two weeks we’ve had…I think two fires, two large fires in roadside garages, and it is frustrating for communities.”

However, government concerns about scrap metal yards, and roadside operations did not start with that fire.

More than a decade ago in a 2013 interview with the Tribune, then Deputy Prime Minister Davis warned that unregulated scrap metal yards and copper theft could quote “bring the country to its knees.”

At the time, Davis said the Christie-led government was pursuing stricter regulation, including requiring proof of ownership and source, before copper could be exported.


Today as prime minister, his administration says it is now moving to close that loop, with what Environment Minister Zane Lightbourne says is a plan to remove roadside garages, and scrap operations from residential communities altogether.

Zane Lightbourne – Minister, Environment & Natural Resources

“You’d go to some properties and you’ll see four and five cars in the yard, and people aren’t using these vehicles. Sometimes the years go by and they just deteriorate.”

Once they multiply he says, the problem quickly escalates.

Zane Lightbourne – Minister, Environment & Natural Resources

“Then you see twenty cars, and people bringing cars in, and you figure out it’s too late, it’s already a problem. Go to the court.”

Beyond the eyesore, Lightbourne says these operations pose real risks from fires, to crime, to environmental damage.

Zane Lightbourne – Minister, Environment & Natural Resources

“We are working a committee that comprises the Urban Renewal Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Environment.”

The proposed site off Gladstone Road North Lightbourne says will be properly prepared to handle scrap metal safely, including protecting the water table, and bringing operations under stronger oversight.

Zane Lightbourne – Minister, Environment & Natural Resources

“We’re looking to prepare the land because when you’re dealing with vehicles, you’re dealing with liquid oils, and you don’t want to create another hazard. Especially since you mentioned the water table.”

The minister also confirms government has already engaged about four scrap metal yard operators, as part of the effort to move these operations out of residential communities and into the dedicated site.

Zane Lightbourne – Minister, Environment & Natural Resources

“We want to move them out of the neighborhoods, not only because of the eyesore, but because it’s unhealthy, unsafe, and we are trying to expedite that.”