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 | Press Release
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| Govt’s Urban Renewal Project, driven by passion: Percentie
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| By Simon Lewis
Bahamas Information Services
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| 03/14/2005
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URBAN RENEWAL - Ms. Ann Percentie, Parliamentary Secretary in The Office of the Prime Minister makes a point as she address some sixty Case Aides workers associated with the Urban Renewal project on Grand Bahama, Monday. She made it clear the the Government is serious about impact the lives of its citizens in a very positive way. BIS Photo by Vandyke Hepburn.
FREEPORT – The Government’s Urban Renewal Project is not driven by political instincts, but by passion and common decency, says Ms. Ann Percentie, Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister.
Ms. Percentie, who also is the Member of Parliament for the Pine Ridge Constituency in Grand Bahama, made that observation as she officially opened a two-day training and orientation session for Case Aide workers. The sessions are being held at the Caraway Building, West Atlantic Drive.
The Pine Ridge MP was the featured speaker at Monday’s opening that brought together some sixty Case Aide workers and other players in the Urban Renewal scheme, including officials from the Ministry of Housing, Social Services and The Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Ms. Percentie advised workers that Urban Renewal is an initiative of the Government of The Bahamas, administered by the Ministry of Housing and National Insurance.
“Its aim is to ensure that all persons in The Bahamas are provided with the basic standard of life through provision, enhancement and empowerment,” she said, adding that the project is the brainchild of Prime Minister the Right Honourable Perry Christie, who began the programme in his Farm Road Constituency in New Providence.
She said that while the project brought new meaning and impacted the lives of many in the Farm Road area, that “no-where has this project blossomed than right here on Grand Bahama Island.
“The efforts by the Police, Social Services, Housing and others have brought new meaning to this Urban Renewal scheme, and all agencies, government and civic need to be commended for their contributions,” she stated.
Continuing, she told the gathering that the Government of The Bahamas is serious about impacting the lives of it citizens in a very positive way, and that the hiring of some sixty Case Aides workers was testimony to that undertaking.
According to Ms. Percentie the Case Aides will be dispatched throughout the six Constituencies on Grand Bahama Island to implement the Social Services component of the Urban Renewal Project.
“Through this project and others, I believe we are succeeding in putting people’s lives in order, especially the most vulnerable of persons in society, the aged, the indigent, and families with small children.
“We cannot sit by and watch people live in poor run-down conditions and do nothing about it; we cannot close our eyes to the poor, the aged and other displaced families and hope they’d go away; now, more than ever, is the time for us to be our brother’s keeper,” she stated.
Continuing Ms. Percentie said she wanted to send a clear message because “often time people are mistaken about what we say and do.
“I want you to understand that this exercise is not driven by political instincts, but by passion and common decency. The bottom line is that people matters and it is our Christian duty to eradicate suffering.
“Our communities must grow stronger and grow closer together. We as the Government, and as a people, must be sensitive to the needs of residents in our communities and continue to answer their call for help,” she said.
The Pine Ridge MP assured her audience that in conjunction with Urban Renewal, Social Services and other agencies, that every effort will be made to steer these communities in the right direction.
She was also quick to point out that while the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development through its mission is mandated to enhance the quality of life for our people, that it cannot fulfill this expectation in isolation.
“Each citizen, each branch of the Government, the churches, civic groups and others must continue to share their knowledge and resources,” she said.
Ms. Percentie further told the gathering that the underprivileged do not want our sympathy, “they want our help. We must as a community, as a people, not only catch a glimpse of the vision of the Urban Renewal Project, but allow this vision to propel us to give our services in whatever area we can, for the future development of our country,”
Continuing she challenged Case Aides workers to exercise to the fullest their commitment to strengthen the urban Renewal Project, and to treat those persons they come in contact with, with compassion, love and understanding.
“If we are to truly build a better Bahamas, then we must offer alternative lifestyles to those in need. We must also continue to offer positive, sincere and honest examples,” she added.
Over the two days, Case Aides received lectures from officials from the Department of Social Services, Ministry of Health, Police, National Insurance, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Ministry of Works, Department of Rehabilitation Services, and others associated with the Urban Renewal programme on Grand Bahama Island.
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