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Minister of the Environment and Housing - Report to the Nation
Sep 24, 2020 - 7:12:54 PM

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BIS Photo/Ulric Woodside

REMARKS

BY THE

HONOURABLE ROMAULD S. FERREIRA

MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING

REPORT TO THE NATION ON COVID-19

INITIATIVES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.  THE COVID19 PANDAMIC HAS WRACKED HAVOC ON THE LIVES OF ALL BAHAMAMIANS.  LARGE NUMBERS OF FELLOW CITIZENS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED, LAYED-OFF, FURLOUHGED OR TERMINATED.  THESE PERSONS HAVE SUFFERED A LOT.  THE PAST SIX MONTHS HAVE CHANGED THE BAHAMAS AND CHANGED THE WORLD IN WAYS THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN IMAGINED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

WHAT MAKES THIS PANDEMIC SO INSIDUOUS SO TERRIBLE IS THAT IT PREVENTS US FROM EXPRESSING OUR HUMANITY.  TO TOUCH A LOVED ONE, TO OFFER A HUG, TO BE THERE FOR THEM IF THEY ARE HOSPITALISED.  MANY OF YOU HAVE LOST LOVED ONES.  FOR THIS I OFFER SINCERE CONDOLENCES.  TO THE HEROES ON THE FRONT LINE, PUTTING THEIR LIVES AT RISK FOR THE GREATER GOOD OF US ALL, WE THANK YOU AND RECOGNISE THAT WHEN OUR NATION NEEDED YOU MOST YOU ANSWERED THE CALL.  I ASSURE ALL BAHAMIANS THAT WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

I AM REMINDED OF A SCRIPTURE VERSE TAKEN FROM 1 JOHN 3:17 “IF ANYONE WITH MATERIAL POSSESSIONS SEES HIS BROTHER OR SISTER IN NEED BUT HAS NO COMPASSION ON THEM, HOW CAN THE LOVE OF GOD BE IN THAT PERSON?”  THESE ARE POWERFUL WORDS, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME LIKE THIS.  YES, FELLOW BAHAMIANS, WE ARE OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER.

IT IS VERY EASY TO TAKE CERTAIN TYPES OF SERVICES SUCH AS GARBAGE COLLECTION AND CLEANING ROADS FOR GRANTED.  HOWEVER, CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT NASSAU WOULD LOOK LIKE IF THESE SERVICES WERE NOT PROVIDED EVEN FOR A FEW WEEKS?  THESE SERVICES HAD TO CONTINUE DURING THE LOCK-DOWN.  I COMMEND THE STAFF AT THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION (FORMERLY THE BEST COMMISSION), DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, FORESTY UNIT, BAHAMAS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS CENTRE, THE PUBLIC PARKS AND PUBLIC BEACHES AUTHORITY AND THE BAHAMAS MORTGAGE CORPORATION FOR THEIR HARD WORK DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.  MANY MEMBERS OF STAFF PUT THEMSELVES AT RISK TO ENSURE THAT ESSENTIAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED.  I APLAUD THEM.  THANK YOU.

THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING IS LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CHARLOTTE HOUSE.  THE STAFF BEGAN WORKING FORM HOME ON 20TH MARCH 2020 FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER THE NIGHT BEFORE.  A GRADUAL REOPENING STARTED ON 4TH MAY WITH A SHIFT SYSTEM WITH COMPLAINCE WITH ALL HEALTH PROTOCOLS.  THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF STAFF AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING.  AT THE MINISTRY, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING, BAHAMAS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES CENTRE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION AND THE PUBLIC PARKS AND BEACHES AUTHORITY, PLEXIGLAS BARRIERS WERE INSTALLED AT CRITICAL AREAS SUCH AS THE FRONT DESK AND REGISTRY.

BAHAMAS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (BNGIS) CENTRE

THE BNGIS CENTRE IS THE GOVERNMENTS TECHNICAL FOCAL POINT FOR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND CENTRAL REPOSITORY FOR THE COLLECTION, ANALYIS AND MANAGEMENT OF GEOSPATIAL DATA ON THE BAHAMAS.  THE CENTRE PROVIDES GIS TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND HAS THE REMIT TO DEVELOP GIS POLICY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES.

HAVING SAID THAT, I CONGRATULATE MS. CAROLANN ALBURY, THE DIRECTOR ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE HAVING FAITHFULL SERVED FOR 39 YEARS.  DIRECTOR ALBURY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY. I THINK THAT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN’T NOTE THAT MS. ALBURY HAS BEEN WITH BNGIS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 2014 AND FOR MANY YEARS PRIOR.

AS WITH MANY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND BUSINESSES, THE STAFF AT BNGIS WORKED REMOTELY DURING THE LOCK-DOWN.  DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, THE BNGIS CENTRE BECAME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH SURVEILLANCE UNIT AND CALL CENTRE PROVIDING INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE IN MAPPING COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES AND TRACED CONTACTS ON ALL IMPACTED ISLANDS INCLUDING NEW PROVIDENCE, GRAND BAHAMA, BIMINI, ELEUTHERA, EXUMA, CAT ISLAND, SAN SALVADOR AND ABACO. THIS SERVICE WAS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT ON NEW PROVIDENCE AS IT HELPED IDENTIFY AREAS OF INFECTION AND THE NUMBERS OF CASES IN THOSE AREAS.

BNGIS MAPPED BUS ROUTES AND BUS STATIONS ON NEW PROVIDENCE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MINISTRIES OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT, CREATED POPULATION DENSITY MAPS FOR NEW PROVIDENCE AND SUBMITTED COVID-19 PROGRESS REPORTS TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH.

IN ADDITION TO THIS ASSISTANCE, THE WORK OF THE CENTRE HAD TO CONTINUE.  BNGIS WAS ABLE TO SECURE CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING BAHAMAS SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE PORTAL FOR AGENCY WIDE USE. THIS WILL YIELD NOT ONLY HAZARD MAPS, DATA COLLECTION OF EXISTING LAND USE BUT MODEL STORM SURGE SCENARIOUS IN REAL TIME AND TRAINING FOR GOVERNMENTAL AGENGIES.

ALL OF THIS IS VERY TECHNICAL.  HOWEVER, HAVING DIGITAL MAPS OF THE COUNTRY HAS MANY BENEFITS INCLUDING ASSISTING THE GOVERNMENT WITH PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT, POPULATION DENSITY AND ZONING.  AND OF COURSE MANAGING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC KNOWN AS COVID 19.


PUBLIC PARKS AND PUBLIC BEACHES AUTHORITY

THIS AGENCY WITHIN THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING PROVIDES FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION AND CLEANING OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND PROVIDES JOBS FOR MANY HUNDREDS OF PERSONS WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.  THE CHAIRMAN AND HIS EXECUTIVE TEAM HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH THE SMALL CADRE OF STAFF IN THE AUTHORITY.


DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING PROVIDES A NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES WHICH CONTINUED DURING THE LOCK-DOWN.  THESE INCLUDE OVERSIGHT OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT RENTAL UNITS ON NEW PROVIDENCE AND RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE.

THE RENTAL UNIT HAS A SMALL STAFF WITH TWO BUILDING INSPECTORS AND ONE CLERK WHO WORKED RESPONDING TO CALLS.  AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS BUDGET PERIOD THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING HAD 19 VACANT RENTAL UNITS WHICH REQUIRED RENOVATIONS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $35,000.00.  TO DATE, THE DOH HAS REPARIED TWO OF THOSE UNITS WHICH ARE NOW OCCUPIED.  FUNDING HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO REPAIR THE OTHER UNITS.  A MAJOR REPAIR PROJECT WAS UNDER TAKEN TO FIX THE ROOF OF THE WINDSOR PARK BUILDING.  THIS WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY.  REPAIRS WILL INCUDE THE CEILING IN THE APARTMENTS WHERE IT WAS DAMAGED.  MOST OF THE UNITS ARE AGING AND REQUIRE REPAIRS.

THE SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT UNIT IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPENING OF THE CARMICHAEL VILLAGE SUBDIVISION IN WESTERN NEW PROVIDENCE.  I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE TENDERING PROCESS FOR THE CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO CABINET FOR FINAL APPROVAL.  THIS CONTRACT WILL BE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM, WATER SUPPLY STORM DRAINAGE AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS.  THE SUBDIVISION CONSISTS OF 365 LOTS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES, THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PHASE 1 WITH 107 LOTS.

THE SECOND PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE ELECTRICAL WORKS WHICH IS CURRENTLY OUT TO TENDER.

IN THE FAMILY ISLANDS, THE DOH IS DEVELOPING 21 LOTS IN SPRING CITY ABACO WITH THE AIM TO CONSTRUCT 21 TOWNHOUSE STYLE DUPLEX UNITS  THE TENDERING PROCESS FOR SURVEYIING THE 21 LOTS HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND A CONTRACT HAS BEEN SIGNED TO SURVEY THE LOTS.  THE TENERING PROCESS TO SELECT AN ENGINEERING COMPANY TO MANAGE THE CIVIL WORKS AT THE SUBDIVISION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

ON GRAND BAHAMA CABINET HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE DOH TO SELL THE UNFINISHED HOUSES IN ITS INVENTORY AT A COST OF $110,000.00, THE APPRAISED VALUE.

THE DOH HAS ESTABLISHED A COLLECTIONS SECTION WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY

FOR COLLECTING REVENUE FROM INDIVIDUALS SQUATTING ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO A LAND LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MINISTRY.  IN ADDITION, THIS SECTION IS RESONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THESE PROPERTIES TO ENSURE THAT NO ILLEGIAL BUIDLINGS ARE CONSTRUCTED AND THAT THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL SQUATTING.

THE DOH PROPOSES FOR THE FUTURE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 1.3 ACRE TRACT OF LAND IN YELLOW ELDER NEXT TO THE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR DUPLEX UNITS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.  THE DOH IS CONSIDERING PLANS TO CONSTRUCT NEW RENTAL COMPLEXES IN THE OVER THE HILL COMMUNITY OF NEW PROVIDENCE.  THESE PLANS WILL BE DEVELOPED WITH THE OVER THE HILL UNIT AT THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER.

FORESTRY UNIT

THE FORESTRY UNIT HAS A NUMBER OF EXCITING INITIATIVES ON WHICH IT IS ACTIVELY WORKING.  I REGET THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO CANCEL THE ANNUL NATIONAL FORESTRY WEEK WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE TIME OF THE LOCK DOWN IN MARCH. I PARTICULARLY ENJOYED PARTICIPAING IN THE EVENTS AS I WENT OUT TO VARIOUS SCHOOLS TO INTERACT WITH THE STUDENTS. THE PURPOSE OF NATIONAL FOREST WEEK WAS TO MAKE BAHAMIANS OF ALL AGES AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS IN THE BAHAMIAN ECOSYSTEM.

THE FORESTRY UNIT HAS PARTNERED WITH, AND RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING FROM THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ON A GLOBAL TREE SEED PROJECT, WHICH AFFORDS THE BAHAMAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH ITS OWN SEED BANK.  THIS PROJECT IS ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT WHEN ONE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE URGENT NEED TO PRESERVE RARE GENETIC VARIETIES BECAUSE OF EXTINCTION DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER FACTORS. STAFF HAVE COLLECTED SEEDS FROM BAHAMIAN SPECIES AND SENT THEM TO THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS FOR PRESERVATIONL.

IN JANUARY 2020, THE CARIBBEAN PHILANTHROPIC ALLIANCE LAUNCHED A REGIONAL PROJECT TO PLANT ONE MILLION TREESIN THE CARIBBEAN BY JUNE 5 2021 WHICH IS LED BY THE ORGANIZATION TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.  THE BAHAMAS HAS PLEDGED 100,000 TREES IN SUPPORT OF THIS REGIONAL PROJECT.  THE FORESTRY UNIT DISCUSSED OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH THIS INITIATIVE.  THEIR CORE OBJECTIVES INCLUDE HIGHLIGHTING SDGs  13 AND 15.  OTHER NATIONAL PARTNERS INCLUDE THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST, COMMUNITRY ASSOCIATIONS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH WAS IN MARCH 2020 AT QUEENS COLLEGE WHERE THE NATIONAL PATRON, THE FIRST LADY, MRS. PATRICIA MINNIS AND I PLANTED THE INAGUGURAL TREE.  THE FORESTRY UNIT IS A PARTNER WITH THE CARIBBEAN PHILANTHROPIC ALLIANCE CARIBBEAN TREE PLANTING PROJECT AT FORMULATING A PLAN TO GALVANIZE VOLUNTEERS ON 10 FAMILY ISLANDS TO DEVELOP STARTER PACKAGES FOR THE PLANTING OF TREES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.  PLANTS WILL BE SHIPPED OUT TO THE ISLANDS BEGINNING THIS MONTH.

IN 2019, HURRICANE DORIAN CASASTROPHICALLY IMPACTED THE FOREST RESOURCES IN CENTRAL ABACO (MARSH HARBOUR TO TREASURE CAY) AND EAST GRAND BAHAMA, DESTROYING THE PINE FORESTS IN PARTICULAR.  TO RESTORE THE ECOSYSTEM, SALVAGING THE DAMAGED AND DEAD PINE TREES WAS IDENTIFIED AS THE APPROPRIATE FOREST MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION.  REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS WERE ADVERTISED FOR BOTH ISLANDS AND COMPANIES WHO RESPONEDED WERE SUBJECT TO EVALUATION.

THE NEW PROVIDENCE ECOLOGY PARK LIMITED MET THE BASIC REQUIREMENT VIAS RFP AND PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR SALVAGE ON ABACO.  CABINET AGREEED TO A THREE YEAR PINE SALVAGE LICENCE FOR THE COMPANY TO HARVEST DAMAGED AND DEAD PINE TREES ON ABACO FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.  THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS VETTED THE DRAFT LICENCE.  THE COMPANY IS CURRENTYLY PREPARING AN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION.

ON GRAND BAHAMA, A GROUP OF BAHAMIAN BUSINESS PERSONS FORMED A “BAHAMAS FORESTRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY” IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COOPERATIVES.  THE SOCIETY WAS PROVIDED THE RFP AND PREPARED A PROJECT PROPOSAL TO SALVAGE THE DAMAGED AND DEAD PINE TREES ON GRAND BAHAMA.  CABINET APPROVED A THREE YEAR PINE SALVAGE LICENSE TO THE SOCIEYT FOR COMMERCIAL FORESTRY PURPOSES.  THE COMPANYIS CURRENTLY PREPARING AN ENVRIONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION.

THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS FINALIZED THE DRAFTING OF THE PROTECTED TREE ORDER, OF THE FORESTRY ACT, 2010.  THE NEW ORDER WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PROTECTED TREES FROM 12 TO OVER 100.  THESE ADDITIONAL TREES ARE CONSIDERED ENDANGERRED, ENDEMIC, THREATENED AND OF ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL VALUE BAED ON THE IUCN RED LISTING OF SPECIES AND THEIR STATUS IN SITU, IN THE BAHAMAS.  ONCE THIS ORDER IS SIGNED IT WILL BE FORWARDED TO CABINET TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACTIVITIES MARCH 20TH 2020 - 18TH SEPTEMBER 2020

DISINFECTION

DURING THE INITIAL MONTH OF LOCKDOWN THE DEHS CONDUCTED DAILY WASHING AND DISINFECTION OF BUILDING EXTERIORS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS. DISINFECTION SOLUTION WAS PROVIDED GRATIS BY BLANCO CHEMICALS LIMITED. THIS ACTIVITY TARGETED PLACES WHERE THERE WERE LARGE GATHERINGS AND INCLUDED FOOD STORES, BANKS. THE DEHS ALSO CONDUCTED DISINFECTIONS USING AEROSOLIZED VIRUCIDE IN ALL AREAS OF NEW PROVIDENCE.

THE DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEEP CLEANING AND DISINFECTION OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES. A TOTAL OF 46 DEEP CLEANING AND DISINFECTION EXERCISES HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED. THESE INCLUDE PROPERTIES IN NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE FAMILY ISLANDS.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

THE DEHS PRODUCED A GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION FOR USE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEHS CONDUCTED TRAINING SESSIONS FOR CUSTODIAL STAFF OF SCHOOLS, PRIVATE COMPANIES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND CLEANING COMPANIES. IN TOTAL 64 CLEANING COMPANIES, 18 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 9 SCHOOLS AND  5  PRIVATE COMPANIES RECEIVED THE TRAINING. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TRAINED INCLUDED, OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MINISTRY OF LABOR, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE MINISTRY OF WORKS.

THE DEHS ALSO COLLABORATED WITH THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ON GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS FOR THE REOPENING OF OFFICES AND SCHOOLS. THE DEHS HAS BEEN MANDATED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESCHOOL COVID-19 MITIGATION/PREVENTION CHECKLIST.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROVIDED TECHNICAL INPUT AND IS THE EXECUTING AND ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S COVID-19 WORKPLACE GUIDELINES. THE DEPARTMENT HAS REQUIRED THAT BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICANTS DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE TO THESE WORKPLACE GUIDELINES AS A PREREQUISITE TO DEHS APPROVAL.

WASTE COLLECTION

THE DEHS STAFF MAINTAINED ITS MONITORING ACTIVITIES OF THE  63 RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION ZONES DURING THE PERIOD OF LOCKDOWN. THE DEHS CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESIDENTIAL WASTE COLLECTION MAINTAINED THE TWICE PER WEEK COLLECTION REMARKABLY WELL ALBEIT SOME DELAYS IN COLLECTION WERE EXPERIENCED.

THE DEHS STAFF COLLECTED WASTE FROM THE QUARANTINE FACILITIES ON A DAILY BASIS.

DEHS STAFF ALSO MONITORED THE RECEIPT OF BANNED PLASTICS AT THE WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY. THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND ONE (3101) CASES OF BANNED PLASTIC PRODUCTS WERE RECEIVED AT THE HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY FOR STORAGE PRIOR TO DESTRUCTION OR EXPORT.

VECTOR CONTROL

GROUND FOGGING ACTIVITIES FOR THE CONTROL OF THE ADULT MOSQUITO WAS CONDUCTED IN NEW PROVIDENCE, GRAND BAHAMA, EXUMA, INAGUA, ANDROS, CROOKED ISLAND, ABACO, MAYAGUANA AND NEW PROVIDENCE.

LARVACIDINGNOF STANDING WATER AND PONDS WAS CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT   NEW PROVIDENCE IN JULY AND AUGUST USING LIQUID ABATE AND ALTOSID BRIQUETTES.

REMOTE TRAINING OF VECTOR CONTROL STAFF ON THE FAMILY ISLANDS WAS CARRIED OUT DURING JULY AND AUGUST. THE TRAINING WAS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE ULV (ULTRA LOW VOLUME) EQUIPMENT UTILIZED IN GROUND FOGGING.   

THE DEHS CONTINUED ITS MONITORING OF THE AEDES AEGYPTI PATTERNS IN ADELAIDE, MOUNT PLEASANT AND MISTY GARDENS AS PART OF THE STERILE INSECT TECHNIQUE(SIT) PROJECT WITH THE INTERNAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY.

THE DEHS CONTINUED WORK AT ARAWAK CAY AND JUNKANOO BEACH WITH RESPECT TO RODENT CONTROL.

THE DEHS CONDUCTED FIVE RODENT TREATMENTS AS A RESULT OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED. THE RODENTICIDE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM WAS FULLY MAINTAINED DURING THE PERIOD.      

CANE TOAD PROJECT

FROM JUNE 19TH THROUGH JULY 21ST, 2020 STAFF OF THE DEHS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BEST COMMISSION, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST CONDUCTED A CANE TOAD ASSESSMENT AND REMOVAL EXERCISE IN THE WESTERN AREA OF NEW PROVIDENCE. A TOTAL OF 392 TOADS WERE EXTRACTED AND EUTHANIZED.

PORT HEALTH

THE UNIT  MAINTAINED A HALF DAY WORK SCHEDULE TO ENSURE THAT DUTIES RELATED TO SHIP SANITATION, CONDEMNATIONS AND MEAT INSPECTION WERE CONDUCTED. FIVE SHIP SANITATION INSPECTIONS AND SIX CONDEMNATIONS WERE CONDUCTED. INSPECTIONS OF IMPORTED MEATS WERE CONDUCTED DAILY.

DERELICT VEHICLE REMOVAL PROGRAM

A TOTAL OF  SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SEVEN (667)  VEHICLES WERE IDENTIFIED FOR REMOVAL FROM PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPACES. SIX HUNDRED AND FORTY FIVE (645) WERE REMOVED. THE REMAINING TWENTY THREE (23) VEHICLES REQUIRE FURTHER ACTION (COURT SUBMISSION OR EXTENSION GRANTED). REMOVALS WERE MADE FROM CENTREVILLE, ST BARNABAS, NASSAU VILLAGE, FT. CHARLOTTE, SOUTH BEACH, ANNE’S TOWN, CARMICHAEL, KILLARNEY, ENGLERSTON ...to continue see attached


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