Shelter Residents Being Relocated, FNM Protests Conditions

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Amid scrutiny, Social Services Minister Myles Laroda confirmed more than two dozen residents of the government-run Poinciana Inn Shelter will be relocated.

Adrian White – Member of Parliament, St. Anne’s

” …We weren’t given an opportunity to access the building, they have standing instructions according to the gentlemen that only residents and staff can access the property, and when asked what he views the condition of the common areas and structures to be in he simply replied no comment,” he said.

Free National Movement Member of Parliament for St. Anne’s, Adrian White made that comment moments after he and several other FNM members were denied access to the Poinciana Inn shelter this morning.

White was joined by FNM candidate for Fox Hill Dr. Nicholas Fox, National Vice Chairman Dangelo Ferguson, and National Assistant Secretary Heather McDonald.

The shelter visit came after videos of the shelter went viral this month, allegedly showing conditions at the center.

The building is currently being utilized by the Ministry of Social Services as a shelter for residents struggling to access other living accommodations.

Dr. Fox says it raises major concerns about public health.

Dr. Nicholas Fox – FNM candidate, Fox Hill

“It’s pediatrics for disease, you have sewer leaking down to the lower floor, you have children…playing in the sewer, it’s disgraceful,” he said.

While the FNM candidates were outside the shelter, Minister of Social Services Myles Laroda spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the groundbreaking for new facilities at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Laroda says he can’t confirm if the videos are from the shelter, but he did admit they’ve gotten complaints.

“The Department of Social Services has already taken steps to relocate those residents that are there to other facilities, no decision has been made yet as to wether we will re-engage but any re-engagement would be dependent on more upgrades to that facility,” Laroda says.