The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville as he addresses residents of Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Hunters and Hawksbill areas during a town meeting at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Monday evening, April 13. Seated at right is PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Gerry Eijkemans. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

LEWIS YARD, Grand Bahama – The Ministry for Grand Bahama in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization held a town hall meeting Monday evening, April 13, focusing on environmental issues affecting persons residing in the industrial zone.

The meeting was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall in Lewis Yard and attracted persons from the Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Hunters and Hawksbill areas who for years have been complaining about odours and possible health issues as a result of their close proximity to the various industrial plants in the area.

In keeping with its mandate for the proposed relocation of the residents in the area, The Government of The Bahamas has contracted PAHO/WHO to complete an Environmental Health Risk Assessment to determine, if any, the effects of proximity to the industrial park on residents.

The objective of the town meeting was to advise residents of the sampling procedures that will take place in the coming weeks; develop open and transparent lines of communication; as well as to assess the risk perception of the community around the issues of chemical exposure and contamination.

In addition to the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, the presenters included Mrs. Kelly Salmond, Project Manager and Consultant to the Social Determinant of Health, PAHO/WHO; and Mr. John Rainford, Risk Communication Specialist, PAHO/WHO.