NASSAU, Bahamas — The illegal immigration problem on Abaco is nearing a “boiling point”, Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder warned yesterday, renewing concerns he previously raised about an issue he said is worsening, The Nassau Guardian reported on Thursday, January 19, in an article written by Executive Editor Candia Dames.
Speaking outside Parliament on the same day that Immigration Minister Keith Bell made a communication on illegal immigration and how authorities are addressing the matter, Pinder told reporters that Abaco “needs the help to take control, and regain control of our island”.
There are multiple shantytowns on Abaco, some springing up after the major unregulated communities of The Mud and Pigeon Peas were flattened during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, and untold numbers of people died.
“It’s concerning to me because there isn’t any sanitary infrastructure at hand,” Pinder said.
“And there isn’t the proper permitting and things are being done that Bahamians and my fellow Abaconians can’t do.
“We have to abide by the law. There are certain procedures in place that make a safe place for everyone to live and right now those areas that we’re describing aren’t doing that and that’s a problem.”
Pinder added, “The whole issue is about to come to a boiling point. It’s either we act now or we’re gonna lose our father’s place. Our ancestors settled there. They spent a lot of time to grow the communities we have. We want to ensure they’re there for future generations to come.”
Despite his worries, the MP told reporters he is “hopeful”.
“I am optimistic that this Davis-Cooper administration will do what’s needed to fix this problem,” Pinder said.
The illegal immigration issue and the existence of shantytowns remain of critical concern for many Bahamians, some of whom believe the authorities are turning a blind eye to the problem.
Pinder believes Bahamian identity on Abaco is in jeopardy.
Such worries have been raised by many different personalities over many years.
Abaco has been an island of particular concern.
In 2005, a report from the Ministry of Health showed that 76 or 63 percent of all babies born at the Marsh Harbour Clinic in 2003 were to Haitian mothers, while 45 or 38 percent were to Bahamian mothers.
According to that report, this was the first district in which the number of infants born to Haitians was greater than the number of infants born to Bahamians. See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/illegal-migration-crisis-nearing-boiling-point/
