Elbow Cay Community Petition May 2024

PETITION TO THE BAHAMIAN GOVERNMENT

FROM THE COMMUNITY OF ELBOW CAY

Each year, Elbow Cay in Abaco provides at least $100m+ of tax revenue to the Bahamian government. Following Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the Bahamian government received donations/aid/loans to help repair the devastating impacts of that storm. As at today’s date, the island of Elbow Cay has seen no return on its tax revenue, minimal public spending and no share of the donated funds.

- Not a single government building or service lost in Dorian has been restored on Elbow Cay using government funds. There is no civil servant housing on the island. The teacher’s cottage is partially destroyed, and at risk of collapse since there has been no assistance on critical dune repairs either. The building that once housed the post office, police station and jail sits stripped its top floor, an eyesore as tourists step off the ferry in the heart of Hope Town settlement.

- We have no 24 hour police presence on this island, no police station and no housing for police officers to provide protection overnight, despite a recent rise in violent crime, armed robberies, home invasions and thefts, and the organised actions of criminal groups to facilitate people smuggling, illegal settlements, and illegal businesses as well as boat thefts and robberies. In addition, the police force lacks resources, training and capacity, and any accountability to the community they serve. Community members have reported to have been threatened after the police leaked their identity and information to suspects. Locals, second home-owners, businesses and tourists are all impacted by the lack of effective rule of law. We are all at risk from theft, armed robberies and uncurbed speeding by unlicenced vehicles and drivers.

- There is little to no available affordable housing for Bahamians or workers in Hope Town, either for rent or purchase, as unrestricted foreign investors (often purchasing multiple lots or homes for commercial reasons) are driving up prices and driving locals from the island. Soon very few Bahamians will be able to afford to live here.

- Efforts to tackle illegal settlements on Abaco have simply displaced the problem to our island, where the number of illegal and unsafe encampments and structures (with inhumane living conditions) has increased exponentially over recent months.

- Our current power infrastructure and provision is woefully inadequate. BPL power is frequently off, paired with damaging appliances and charging bills which are exploitative. Serious investment is needed to ensure a secure, stable and affordable power supply to support our homes, businesses and to ensure Elbow Cay remains a desirable tourist destination.

- Our local District Council, through which community representation and decision making is afforded, has limited decentralised powers and an even more limited budget (representing less than 0.5% of the tax revenue). Authorities in Nassau have repeatedly overruled District Council planning decisions which represent community choices on the pace and nature of development on this island. As a result, larger-scale commercial developments approved in Nassau are against the wishes of the local community and cannot be sustained based on the current infrastructure.

As stated in the Guardian on 28 May, we, like all Bahamians, are tired of our tax dollars being used inefficiently and of the wholesale failure and neglect by the government to invest our taxes in local infrastructure, services and needs. We also demand more community-based decision-making and autonomy, so that our choices are respected around the development and protection of our island community.

If steps are not taken to invest in Hope Town and increase local autonomy, then the tax revenue will stop. Inevitably because tourism will drop, but also because we, as a community, will take all necessary steps to ensure as few of our tax revenue dollars make it to Nassau as possible and are instead spent on the community services and needs outlined above.

Our list of demands include:

1. At least 10-25% of the tax revenue generated on this island given back to the island through the District Council budget and is invested in infrastructure, services, projects which are in line with community choices and priorities.

2. Adoption of a more inclusive, participatory community decision-making mechanism for issues, projects, development and priorities for our island community.

3. A 24 hour police presence on island, including at least 2 or 3 officers working in shifts overnight when most of the crimes take place. The provision by the government of police and other civil service housing so that this island can be a home to our valued teachers, nurses and health workers, postmasters, police officers and other vital civil servants. Investment in training of police and instructions on community outreach and accountability including victim liaison obligations.

4. Investment in effective and sustainable dune repairs on Elbow Cay.

5. Concerted efforts and real solutions by immigration and the police to address the problem of illegal buildings and encampments, trespass and illegal businesses on this island, without just displacing it to another island or part of this island.

6. The recognition of gender equality and women’s rights to be addressed by legislative amendments and through increased meaningful representation, participation and decision-making at all levels of the community, and government functions including local councils.

7. Freedom of Information legislation and a commitment to transparency and combatting corruption.

This Petition is endorsed by the following members of Elbow Cay Community: