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North Abaco Residents: We Have Been Neglected

NORTH ABACO, BAHAMAS – North Abaco residents say they’re frustrated as their communities battle issues they want the government to address.

Published

2 months ago

November 8, 2025

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NORTH ABACO, BAHAMAS – North Abaco residents say they’re frustrated as their communities battle issues they want the government to address. Last week, the North Abaco Pastors Association called for movement on the North Abaco Port started under the last Ingraham administration, but never opened. They also referenced improvements to the road and the construction of the Treasure Cay International Airport. But making matters worse is that those residents say they have long felt neglected by successive governments.

Velty Parker-Carey – North Abaco resident
“From a child we always felt like anything below Marsh Harbour was neglected and we ant them to know that the north contributes just as much money as Marsh Harbour and any other persons, because, as they said before most of the fishing village’s money one from the north.”

Velty Parker-Carey has lived in North Abaco all her life and raised her family in the community. She took issue with the poor state of the island’s roads, which have worsened over the years and are in need of attention.

Velty Parker-Carey – North Abaco resident
“I’m asking road traffic, Ministry of Works, whoever, even if someone can sponsor or donate. just put he center, the lines or the cat eye back in the road so that we can have safety at least on each curb.”

North Abaconians complain of increased cost due to the poor state of the roads. And Parker-Carey wasn’t alone. She was just one of many residents attending a meeting with the Pastors Association. Captain Scott Bootle has long been an advocate for the opening of the Cooper’s Town Port. He believes the area is missing out on an economic boost with the port being closed.

Capt. Scott Bootle – North Abaco resident
“We have our issues. So we have to take care our own problem, nobody is going to do it for us, but if we trade at that level, we can be able to accomplish some things in the country, but it has to start with us.”

He’s singing a similar tune, adding that the area has been overlooked.

Capt. Scott Bootle – North Abaco resident
“Abaco is a very strong economy. under the ingraham administration, you travel and you hear the buzz of Abaco, the Abaco life, they use to be extremely proud. now you see us dying, like thats not us as abaconians, you have a sense of pride in what it is to be an abaconian. I am one of those bahamians that think about Bahamians.”

Residents feel they are owed the same attention as New Providence and other parts of the country. Bahamas Christian Council Abaco Branch President, Bishop Silbert Mills, was on hand for the meeting and supported NAPA members in their plight. He said they requested a meeting with the prime minister, but that has yet to happen.

Bishop Silbert Mills – President, Bahamas Christian Council, Abaco
“My Jesus, when we were children, it was better.”

Bishop Silbert Mills – President, Bahamas Christian Council, Abaco
“We expected that he was going to be here for the opening or the transfer of the hurricane shelter, and we requested a meeting for that day; however he did not come.”