Mr. Speaker, I stood in this very same spot on 8th March and spoke about abandoned vehicles. I am honoured to be able to stand again to update this honourable house and speak about a topic that is close to my heart and to the hearts of many Bermudians: cleaning up abandoned vehicles.
Mr. Speaker, for too long, we have seen these rusty, broken down cars, trucks and bikes littering our streets, our parks, and our neighbourhoods. They are not only an eyesore, but also a health hazard, a fire risk, and a source of pollution. They diminish the beauty and the dignity of our island, and they undermine our sense of pride and community.
Mr. Speaker, for years, these vehicles have been lying around, unsightly and neglected, scattered across our landscape like forgotten relics. They tarnish the beauty of our island, becoming eyesores in the midst of our picturesque surroundings. These abandoned cars, trucks, motorcycles and auxiliary bicycles are not just rusting hunks of metal; they are symbols of our neglect and a reminder that we have strayed from the path of responsibility and care that once defined us.
Mr. Speaker, when you and I were young, the words "Keep Bermuda Beautiful" were not just a slogan – they were a way of life. We took pride in our surroundings and understood the importance of maintaining the pristine condition of our island. But somewhere along the way, those words have faded from our daily conversations and, perhaps, from our collective consciousness.
Mr. Speaker, it is time to rekindle that spirit. It is time to take action and restore the beauty of Bermuda. We have a responsibility to ourselves, to our children, and to the generations yet to come to ensure that Bermuda remains the paradise we know and love. Cleaning up these abandoned vehicles is not just an act of environmental stewardship; it is an act of community pride and civic duty.
Mr. Speaker, I am here to tell you that we have and are taking action. We are not going to tolerate this situation any longer. We are going to reclaim our public spaces and restore our environment. We are going to keep Bermuda beautiful, words we do not hear often as when we were growing up. We are going to show the world that we care about our island and our people, and that we are willing to work together to make a difference.
This is not a task that the Government can do alone. It requires the cooperation and the participation of all Bermudians. And I am proud to say that we have seen an overwhelming response from the public. We have received many calls, emails and WhatsApp messages from concerned citizens, reporting the locations of abandoned vehicles and urging us to take action. We have also heard from many Progressive Labour Party Members of Parliament, who have been vigilant and proactive in notifying the Ministry where these vehicles are located.
Mr Speaker, on average, the department received up to 4 or 5 reports per day via both email and telephone. Our Traffic Officers continue to address the situation by ticketing vehicles as soon as practicable after receiving the details.
Since implementing a deliberate approach, over 37 motor cars and 21 motorcycles and auxiliary bicycles have received tickets and further processed on public roads and lands. The department continues to rely on the assistance of private help to tow motor cars and collect the cycles. The co-operation of the public remains very helpful. In fact, members of the public recently identified a dumping ground in Pembroke Parish where 7 motorcycles had been stripped beyond recognition and abandoned. Those bikes have been collected and processed. This initiative continues to reap benefits because of the collaborative effort by the Transport Control Department, the Parks Department, KBB, and private vendors who assist with vehicle removal.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to announce that, as of today's reporting date, our team will have addressed all reported abandoned vehicles by next Tuesday, July 2nd. It is important to emphasise that the departments involved cannot deal with vehicles abandoned on private property. However, advice is given to affected property owners regarding the proper disposal of vehicles as stipulated in Section 68 of the Motor Car Act 1951.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your civic engagement and your sense of responsibility. You have shown us that you love your island and you want to see it thrive.
And I also want to thank the team at TCD, who have been working tirelessly and diligently to remove these vehicles and dispose of them properly. They have gone beyond the call of duty, often working long hours and in difficult conditions, to clean up Bermuda. They have shown us that they are not just public servants, but public heroes. They deserve our gratitude and our applause.
My friends, this is not just a matter of aesthetics. It is a matter of values. It is a matter of respect. Respect for ourselves, respect for our neighbours, respect for our island, and respect for our future. When we clean up abandoned vehicles, we are not just removing junk. We are removing obstacles. Obstacles to our vision, our potential, our prosperity. We are creating space. Space for beauty, space for opportunity, space for growth. We are making a statement. A statement that we are not complacent, that we are not indifferent, that we are not hopeless. We are making a statement that we are active, that we are involved, that we are hopeful.
Mr. Speaker, the Progressive Pabor Party is making a difference. A difference that we can see, a difference that we can feel, and a difference that we can celebrate. We are making a difference that will inspire others, that will motivate others, that will challenge others. We are making a difference that will make Bermuda a better place for ourselves, for our children, and for generations to come.
So let us continue this work, let us continue this movement, let us continue this mission. Let us keep Bermuda beautiful.
Mr Speaker, Thank you.