From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
All Roads in New Providence now passable following Hurricane Matthew
By Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works & Urban Development, Philip Brave Davis
Oct 11, 2016 - 7:08:47 PM
Nassau, Bahamas - The Ministry of Works & Urban Development announces that as of
6:00pm today (10th October 2016), all roads in New Providence have been
made passable.
Hurricane Matthew, left The Bahamas as a Category 4 hurricane,
leaving a trail of devastation in New Providence with most roads
impassable. In advance of the event, my Ministry busied itself
preparing our transport infrastructure to withstand the onslaught by
trimming overhanging branches, clearing drains, and strategically
placing heavy equipment to allow immediate post-hurricane clearing
operations. This measures resulted in the flood waters receded quickly.
Even before the “All Clear” was given, my officers began carrying
out inspections and clearing obstructions. Within 24 hours, the
Ministry of Works was able to ensure that all major routes in New
Providence passable. As far as we are aware, apart from a few
exceptions where the trees are entangled with power lines, there are no
blockages in New Providence roads. In those cases, my Ministry is
working with Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) to remove these as well.
> The cut trees have been placed on the sides of the roads. These
will be removed over the next week or so to be mulched. At the same
time, drains will be cleared to minimise flooding in the case of
rainfall.
I commend the enthusiasm of my staff, who, notwithstanding personal
losses, rose to the challenge of disaster response – many of them
working outside of the realm of terms of their employment. It is
because of their commitment to our recovery that we have attained this
milestone achievement within four days.
I acknowledge the contribution of ordinary citizens, many men and
women, who initiated self-help activities to clear roads. As well, I
thank our contractors who stood ready and took action as directed. This
is yet the beginning of a long haul to recovery.
If my Ministry has inadvertently missed any blockages, please
inform us via the Ministry of Works & Urban Development’s Facebook
Page or on 302-9700 or through NEMA on 322-6081, so we may remove these
as well.
> Hon. Philip E. Davis, Q.C., M.P.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com -