thebahamasweekly.com - Bahamas Flood Victims to Get Duty Free Exemption for 90 Days

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Local
Bahamas Flood Victims to Get Duty Free Exemption for 90 Days
By National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
May 30, 2013 - 11:01:20 PM

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency has advised that the Ministry of Finance granted an Exigency Order, permitting residents whose properties were damaged during the severe flood to import goods and items duty free for a period of 90 days.

The Minister of Finance, pursuant to the provisions of the Tariff Act, also declared that the goods be certified by the Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) or any of his duly appointed agents.

The Ministry of Finance declared that for New Providence the importation of goods are permitted for the said period commencing, Tuesday, May 28, 2013.

The specified items permitted are building materials, electrical fixtures and materials, household furniture, fixtures, furnishing and appliances, freezers and heaters, materials for clean-up or repairs to property including fences and motor vehicles.

These goods specified are intended for the relief of residents in New Providence who suffered loss as a result of flooding occurring on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 and whose claims/applications in respect of such goods have been certified by the Director of NEMA.

Where any abuse or misuse of goods allowed under this Declaration is observed, the goods may be seized and disposed of in accordance with Section 83 of the Customs Management Act.

Meanwhile, residents can collect the NEMA Verification of Damage and Request Form at the following locations: NEMA, Churchill Building, Rawson Square in Downtown Nassau; the South Beach Police Station, East Street South; Fox Hill Police Station, Fox Hill Road; Elizabeth Estates Police Station, Prince Charles Drive; Pinewood Gardens Urban Renewal Centre, Bamboo Boulevard; Fox Hill Urban Renewal Centre, Springfield Street; Kemp Road Urban Renewal Centre, St James Road; Epiphany Anglican Church, Prince Charles Drive; and the Urban Renewal Headquarters, Collins Avenue.