So today, it’s being reported that residents in the area where the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) plans to build its shiny new $285 million hospital have called the approval process “a foregone conclusion.” Now, I don’t mean to offend, but I must ask the obvious question — when exactly did they figure that out?
Was it before or after the Davis administration had already inked a deal with the Chinese government to build the thing? Because it certainly seems like only after the contracts were signed, sealed, and probably celebrated over champagne, did someone in Cabinet suddenly remember — “Oh wait, maybe we should ask the people who actually live there what they think.”
According to The Tribune’s October 9th report, residents said they fear flooding, traffic congestion, and increased crime. And rightly so. The Town Planning Committee apparently gave swift preliminary approval to the site just three days after the so-called “public consultation.” Three days — that’s barely enough time to read the minutes, much less seriously consider community concerns.

Let’s not forget — this is Perpall Tract, a low-lying area with a well-documented history of flooding. During the last heavy storm, parts of that neighbourhood looked like a shallow lake. Residents have already said recent construction nearby has made flooding worse. But sure, the government insists they will “mitigate” it — the same way they have been “mitigating” the flooding on West Bay Street for the past decade. (Spoiler: it still floods every time the clouds so much as threaten rain.)
And then there’s Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness, who reportedly brushed off the public outcry by saying he doesn’t know “what all the noise is about,” since “the island floods anyway.” Remarkable. By that logic, why not build the next hospital in the middle of a pond?
This is what happens when consultation becomes a photo-op rather than a process. The PLP government didn’t engage the people — they informed them, after the ink had dried. It’s not consultation if the deal is already done; it’s theatre.
And that, perhaps, is the most fitting summary of the “New Day” governance model: the lights are on, the stage is set, and the script has already been written — the public just gets to sit in the audience and clap politely.
The people of The Bahamas deserve better.
The PLP fails for one reason — it’s in their nature.
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