Potter’s Cay Vendor: “The Hype That I Had When It Started, That’s Gone”

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Kenneth McKenzie – Owner, McKenzie’s Fresh Fish and Conch

“The hype up that I had when it started, that gone. I just forget about it. If it happen, it happen.”

Potter’s Cay Dock vendors say they’re still waiting for electricity, months after the government’s initial deadline to connect their stalls has passed.

The project, announced in December 2025 by the then Ministry of Energy and Transport, in partnership with Bahamas Power and Light, was originally expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

That deadline was later pushed back to the end of August, but vendors say they’re still waiting for the promised power supply.

After decades of operating without electricity, the long-awaited project remains a work in progress, as officials close to the project say some stalls do not meet safety and compliance requirements, which could delay connections for a number of vendors.

A checklist circulated to vendors outlines requirements for readiness, including permits, sanitation, fire safety and other regulations.

However, Kenneth McKenzie, owner of McKenzie’s Fresh Fish and Conch, tells us the requirements were not clearly communicated.

Kenneth McKenzie – Owner, McKenzie’s Fresh Fish and Conch

“If you coming to Potter’s Cay Dock to put power, you suppose to have a little something together to come definitely to let everyone know what all you need to be done. Bring the whole thing, don’t bring piece here, this here, that there.”

For others, like Rodney, better known as “Bones,” the owner of Bones Seafood, the delays come as little surprise. He says he’s already made the necessary adjustments to his stall but is still waiting for the promised electricity.

Rodney “Bones” – Owner, Bones Seafood

“I’ll tell you straight and plain, it gone take more than a year, and it don’t bother me because I don’t work nights. I come to work at 7:00, 6:00, I gone.”

Romeo – Employee, Bones Seafood

“They ain’t gone change nothing. This ain’t gone cut on till next year, trust me. No, I don’t have faith in no government.”

But still, some vendors are holding on to hope, saying electricity will eventually mean lower operating costs.

Vendor

“There’ll be less ice. I’ll be able to run the refrigerator, the freezer longer. I will be able to have my bottles, beer bottles, chilled longer instead of me having to bring ice just about every day to keep it cool.”