By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.com

A long-neglected dump site in Cherokee Sound, Abaco, is sparking growing frustration among residents who say piles of construction debris are now nearly spilling onto the highway.

Several residents who spoke to The Tribune yesterday said the issue has persisted for nearly 20 years, with no clear answers from either local or central government about who is responsible for its clean-up.

Photos shared with The Tribune show mounds of waste piled high, edging dangerously close to the roadside.

“Local government says it’s not their responsibility, central government says it’s not their responsibility, the Ministry of Health says it’s not their responsibility. So whose responsibility it is?” said one long-time resident, who asked not to be named. “I said listen, all the other dumps... have been given to contract. Why don’t we do Cherokee like that?”

Residents blame the worsening conditions on increased dumping linked to a nearby property expansion.

It is claimed subcontractors have been bringing multiple large dumpsters to the site, dumping land-clearing and construction materials—despite the site being designated for household waste only.

Residents say they want immediate solutions and are recommending that the site be bulldozed regularly—at least two or three times a year—with costs covered by central government.

They also believe private developers, especially those whose projects generate large volumes of waste, should contribute financially to the site’s maintenance.

“That would be the easiest thing,” said Linda Lowe, another resident, “just have it pushed back quarterly, with the funding coming from central government.”

Jeremy Sweeting, the Free National Movement’s (FNM) candidate for Central and South Abaco and current chief councillor for the Abaco Cays, told The Tribune that while dump site oversight legally falls under local government, the core issue is the lack of proper funding to manage it.

“Waste management, garbage collection and site management does come under local government,” Mr Sweeting said. “But local government is not properly funded. Central government — the PLP government — needs to provide more funding for local government so that they can properly manage these transfer stations, these waste management sites.”

He said the situation in Cherokee Sound reflects a broader issue of uneven support across Family Island communities.

“On the cays where I serve, private businesses contribute because the government only covers household waste,” he said. “If you’re a commercial entity — like a resort or developer — you’re supposed to help contribute to the maintenance of these sites.”

He also noted that the lack of clear action has been especially frustrating for residents, who are also grappling with water shortages and inadequate medical services — issues he says reflect broader neglect by central government.

“These people need help,” Mr Sweeting said.