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Bahamian Politics Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Bahamas Opposition Leader on Hurricane Joaquin
Oct 6, 2015 - 4:26:58 PM

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Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis at a press conference held today at FNM Headquarters.

Nassau, Bahamas - Statement by the Hon. Dr. Hubert A Minnis on the Free National Movement’s Assessment of Recovery Efforts in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin during a Press Conference held at the FNM Headquarters on October 6, 2015:

Parliamentary Colleagues, Deputy Leader, Chairman, Secretary General, Party Officers, Members of the press, Ladies and Gentleman, Good Morning. Let me first of all thank you for attending.
 
Firstly, I wish to provide you and the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas with an update regarding our efforts to view firsthand the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Joaquin and our efforts to render assistance to the people of the Bahamas who are severely affected by this very dangerous hurricane.
 
You are of course aware that I travelled with the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister at his invitation, in my capacity as Leader of the Official Opposition, on Saturday October 3, 2015, to visit several islands to ascertain as far as possible the extent of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Joaquin. This practice of bi-partisanship was established by the Free National Movement government as it was felt that all parties must be united when faced with a national disaster and I thank the prime minister for honoring this important practice. On day one of such inspections I was also accompanied by the Hon. Hubert Chipman, MP and Shadow Minister for Immigration and Foreign Affairs. During that tour we visited Long Island. During the tour, it was made patently clear that the extent of the devastation was catastrophic which required immediate intervention and a long term commitment to rebuild lives and communities throughout the southern Bahamas. For me it confirmed much of what I already knew from our party's consistent communication with affected residents and other persons during and in the aftermath of the Hurricane.
 
You will also recall that during the press briefing held at George Town International Airport at the end of our tour, I appealed to all Bahamians and residents to respond to the needs of our stricken brothers and sisters as a united people, putting aside all differences inclusive of politics.  During my national appeal for donations I encouraged persons to channel donations through the Red Cross and other verified organizations.  Since making that statement I have observed from social media that a number of persons have taken exception to my call as it was interpreted that I intended to exclude certain organizations from contributing to relief efforts who have a tradition of helping during such disasters. That was never my intention and I sincerely regret that my appeal was interpreted as such or that my communication gave such an impression. We know however, from past experiences that some persons use such incidents to fraudulently prey on the public for their own benefit and in so doing tarnish our well-meaning efforts. Nonetheless, I of course welcome and encourage all organizations to do their part whether through churches, civic groups, social organizations, local or international relief agencies, private or governmental.
 
On day two of the joint assessments with the Prime Minister’s team I was accompanied by my Deputy Peter Turnquest, Shadow Minister of Finance and our Party’s Chairman Senator Michael Pintard. We visited Long Island. We had an opportunity to have extensive discussions with many Bahamian affected by the storm and persons working on the frontline to give support and spearhead the relief and recovery efforts. On day three October 5, of the assessment my team – Deputy Turnquest and Chairman Pintard traveled to Acklins, Crooked Island and San Salvador and surveyed the extensive damages and listened to the horrific stories of residents, many of whom had lost everything.
 
On Acklins we met with residents affected by the storm, officials spearheading the relief efforts including the Island Administrator and the Commissioner of Police along with medical personnel.  On Crooked Island we met with residents including 45 persons who required evacuation from the island as their homes were destroyed. They made up a broader group of displaced residents some of whom had already left the island for Exuma and New Providence.  Our team continues to help with the relocation efforts to New Providence and we appeal to Bahamians who have accommodations to make it available on a temporary basis to assist this difficult transition for persons who have been displaced.  On San Salvador we made a quick assessment as it is our intention to return today, and there we spoke with those persons who we are assisting with setting up a portable water supply system and temporary communications system.
 
 
Secondly, our assessment goes hand in hand with our efforts to directly touch the lives of those persons affected by the hurricane.  To date the Free National Movement has taken the following steps:

[1] On Friday, October 2, we launched an appeal for persons willing to donate goods and services to deliver them to our headquarters or their preferred relief organization.

[2] On Saturday, October 3, we set the wheels in motion to mobilize resources in order to reach affected residents.
 
[3] We assisted in the coordination of more than 5 flights and more than a dozen motor vessels into various islands carrying badly needed supplies.
 
[4] We have remained in close contact with the Prime Minister, Minister of State for Finance, Michael Halkitis, and the director of NEMA, Captain Stephen Russell, to ensure that those international contributors are facilitated so that there would be minimal delay in the delivery of relief supplies across international borders. Today, we expect thousands of pounds of supplies to be delivered to each of the affected islands by friends of The Bahamas from the United States, especially Florida and the Turks and Caicos Islands and from concerned Bahamians who daily fly into affected islands or ship items by way of the various mail boats and other crafts.

[5] We have assisted individuals directly and through partnerships with specific needs.

[6] The severity of the situation in the Southern Bahamas is such that we have taken steps to establish a command centre last evening so that we are better able to help coordinate the assistance being offered.  We intend to work with all government agencies and directly with residents on the ground.

[7] Today, flights are leaving Florida for San Salvador and Rum Cay.

[8] We have secured $25,000 worth of construction supplies for the Family Islands.
 
Ladies and Gentleman, I wish to assure you that we are working assiduously in the forefront and behind the scenes using all available resources at our disposal, to assist the affected people and islands in the short and medium term.  We recognize that the task is a monumental one indeed and all hands are required if we are to be successful.
 
Thirdly, I call upon the government to ensure that the proper mechanism is established and managed to ensure full transparency and equality in the distribution of relief to all the affected peoples and islands; to ensure the completion of damage assessment as rapidly as possible; to take the appropriate measures to effect Exigency orders for the affected islands; to present to parliament as soon as possible the damage assessment report and advise the nation of the steps the government is taking to address the situation; to ensure that the psychological needs of the affected populations are taken into account in this exercise; to ensure that VAT exemption for charitable purposes is implemented in a smooth and efficient manner.
 
Fourthly, it is clear that there was a breakdown in the process of emergency preparedness, when one observes the comments and actions made and taken from across the spectrum. We must conduct a frank review to determine the issues which affected our readiness in this particular circumstance and to implement the appropriate corrective measures to ensure that this never occurs again.   

I have taken note of the position taken by insurance companies to address claims. I applaud them for their quick response.
 
I wish to commend and thank the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, CARICOM nations, all international organizations and agencies, including CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency) which have provided or offered assistance to our country.
 
Finally, I plan to visit Rum Cay and Sal Salvador today and relay their needs through the most effective technology available to us in our continuing quest and duty to view the situation first hand so that we may effectively assist our people on the path of recovery. I wish to thank all persons including, the corporate and civic community for their overwhelming response and support. I appeal to all Bahamians and residents to continue in their efforts.
 
My fellow Bahamians, in times like these, the resolve of the Bahamian spirit shines brightly. Our hearts can be seen manifested in our actions. Hurricane Joaquin placed many Bahamians in need, and I sincerely love the acts of kindness being shown throughout our country.
 
The Free National Movement continues to ask the nation for their prayers, for with God’s help we shall overcome.


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