Govt moves to clamp down on unauthorised signs

Monday, December 7, 2015

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE government has called for the removal of all unauthorised signs and billboards erected on roadsides and roundabouts by the end of the year.

In a statement released yesterday, Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett said the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority (BPPPBA), which falls under his ministry, is now in the process of regularising the display of signs on roadsides and verges, especially in New Providence.

As such, Mr Dorsett said all unauthorised signs and erected billboards should be removed by their owners on or before December 31.

All signs or billboards that are not removed by their respective owners will be removed by the BPPPBA early next year, the statement said.

Mr Dorsett added that persons or organisations seeking to advertise along the streets and within the roundabouts must thereafter obtain a permit with an attached fee from the BPPPBA and comply with guidelines from the Ministry of Works and Urban Development.

Mr Dorsett said the fee structure would be released to the public before it is enacted.

He added that the BPPPBA would erect “uniformed structures” in which signs of “varying sizes” can be properly displayed.

“Please note that these measures are being advanced in an effort to regularise the way in which signs are displayed along our streets,” Mr Dorsett said in the statement.

“It is also a safety measure as these signs can be distracting to drivers and pedestrians alike. It is also a part of the clean up initiative of the (BPPPBA).”

According to Mr Dorsett, the BPPPBA was established by an act of Parliament in 2014. It is responsible for the “maintenance and development of all public parks and beaches inclusive of roadsides and verges”.

The BPPPBA is governed by a board of directors headed by PLP Senator Greg Burrows as chairman with Pericles Maillis as deputy chairman.

Comments

ThisIsOurs says...

Praise God. FINALLY. and please don't give out permits like toilet paper. That roundabout by marathon and wulff road, the corner of village road and Shirley street and practically all of Carmichael road are utterly disgusting. The place looks so untidy with Helter skelter slipshod signage.

Posted 7 December 2015, 10:23 p.m. Suggest removal

And make it a serious offense to pin signs on lampoles, rock faces and trees...actually I think it's an offense already. The PLP have alot to answer with their silly and indiscriminate use of campaign posters in 2012.

Signs on roundabouts should be completely ELIMINATED. Where did we ever get that from? RM Bailey park and Montagu are two other abused locations. Who had the bright idea to litter nature with billboards?

Why couldn't you have started working from 2012? This scrambling to show you're doing something before the election is insulting. But I'm glad these nasty signs are one of the things you're scrambling to do

While you're at it, ask the Bahamar people how they maintain their verges, you've made a complete mess of the beautiful grass laid out on Prince Charles. That lush green expanse has been turned into patchy weeds, It's unbelievable. The person responsible for giving out that contract to a bush "landscaper" should be "flogged"

Posted 8 December 2015, 5:16 a.m. Suggest removal

sansoucireader says...

So what exactly is the punishment? Someone just goes and puts up a sign and then the BPPPAA will eventually get around to removing it, long after the event has passed. Big deal. While they're at it, have a look at the area near RM Bailey Park on the EW Highway side; all these huge church/doomsday message signs trying to see who can be the biggest one. Also, please check the distance some of these signs are placed. Cash 'N Go on Prince Charles as a recently installed sign almost in the road; you can't tell me that's in the correct place.

Posted 8 December 2015, 6:42 a.m. Suggest removal

themessenger says...

And while you're at it, perhaps the authorities would also like to investigate the illegal and now permanent sky juice stand that has been erected in the parking lot adjacent to Fort Montague.
Looks like the new and improved fish fry coming to Montague soon.

Posted 8 December 2015, 7:04 a.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

This is a total joke. They will start off with a bang and then it will turn into a free for all as usual. The Bahamas government could not ,manage a hill of beans, they are a failure and useless. Nassau will look as much a dump next year as it does today.

Posted 8 December 2015, 12:16 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

This is a good initiative ............. how will the government truly regulate roundabout signage to prevent obstructions to traffic???? ............ I suppose we will have to wait and see ................... SMH

Posted 8 December 2015, 12:17 p.m. Suggest removal