#TurksandCaicos, September 21, 2017 – Providenciales – Not everyone agrees that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is doing the best job in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Criticisms had emerged from the first week since the passage of the historic storm which lashed these islands with 180mph winds.
The former premier Michael Misick, leader of the Opposition Washington Missick and a 2016 General Election candidate are some who have gone public with their sentiments about the work to get the country rebuilt. A common tone is that the Government is not exposing the gravity of the dilemma after the country’s encounter with super typhoon Irma and that the provisions are not reaching enough people quickly enough.
Obrien Forbes shared with #MagneticMedia that last night, in a WhatsApp group, he pointed out to the Premier a list of concerns about Five Cays. Forbes said the State of Emergency should be country wide, not limited to Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos. Forbes called the living in western Providenciales, ‘squalid’… that areas of Five Cays like Bassie Yard is ‘festooned with derelict homes that were ravaged by Hurricane Irma and marinating, he said, in stagnant water which is fodder for the proliferation of infectious diseases that will make their way eastward when those residents intermingle.”
He slammed the country’s leader for not calling an evacuation of this and other high risk areas. Forbes who said a serious clean up needs to happen where people who can help, are assigned to do so and he believes there should be housing provided – he suggested a number of ways.
Obrien Forbes believes there is an opportunity here for the TCI to put an end to the shanty constructions plaguing communities like Five Cays. Condemn the damaged homes, partner with corporate and civic TCI on temporary housing, remove the stagnant water, set up clinics, organize an ice depot powered by generator and get heavy equipment operators galvanized to clear up with Irma brought down.
