Government Orders Montgomery Shantytown Residents To Vacate

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Unregulated Community Action Task Force is on the move once again.

This time officials took us to a small shantytown tucked away just off Cowpen Road, stretching all the way to Flamingo Gardens, known as the Montgomery Shantytown.

Officer-in-Charge of the Unregulated Community Action Task Force, Superintendent Stephen Carey says it’s time for those living there illegally to pack up and go.

Superintendent Stephen Carey – Officer-in-Charge, Unregulated Community Action Task Force

“28-day notices have been placed on all of the structures in this community, and after the 28-day notice have been placed on all of the structures we will have social service walk through the community tomorrow where they will interview all of the residents in this community.”

“After they have interviewed the residents those who qualify will be assisted, others will seek other assistance,” he said.

A walk through the shantytown echoes what we’ve seen before; shack-style homes built from cheap materials, cramped spaces housing up to five people at once, and no running water or electricity.

Derelict vehicles litter the area, many filled with trash.

Cramped walkways, and piles of what looks like burnt waste pushed to the side, evidence of the health concerns neighboring communities have long raised.

As we continued our walk, we met a mother of six who asked to remain anonymous.

She claims she’s been living in The Bahamas for nearly thirty years, and now her only option is for her and her family to sleep in her car.

Our translator Louis, explains that:

“She feel as if that we shouldn’t do this now knowing that school is about to open we have nowhere to go.”

“She’s use to this happening, immigration and the police come in the back here often,” he said.

Then there’s Sammy, a painter, who says he’s tried to find a place for his family but has had no luck.

“If the government have housing…for persons who are unable to find housing, an apartment. If there is low cost homes that the government provide for people like himself so that they’ll be able to rent [sic],” he said.

Then a Bahamian resident whose home is about to be demolished says his home was here before the shantytown even existed.

“That’s not enough time. How could you do that in 28 days? You gatta get water ya gatta get light inside the place [sic],” he said.