Bahamas News
Government agencies collaborating to restore East Grand Bahama
By LEDEDRA MARCHE
Bahamas Information Services
#TheBahamas, October 14, 2022 – Government agencies are pooling their resources in a collaborative push to get residents on Grand Bahama and Abaco, who were displaced three years ago, back into their homes and essential services returned to their communities.
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, while bringing remarks at a press conference on Wednesday,
“We’ve come together really because we needed a united effort in order to get things done on this island,” Minister Moxey said.
To that end, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Ministry of Works, the DRA, the Department of Environmental Health, Urban Renewal, Local Government and other government agencies are pulling out all the stops.
The DRA is spearheading HARP, beginning in East Grand Bahama, and with assessments ongoing, the first temporary work crews already hired and building materials expected on island next week, work is set to begin on the first set of homes in Rocky Creek soon.
“There has been so many of us who have been waiting to see the home repairs project started again through the Disaster Reconstruction Authority,” Minister Moxey said.
Senator Kirkland Russell, who was also on hand for the announcement, pointed out that The Government’s thrust is not just about repairing people’s homes.
“It’s about getting people, who are stuck in Freeport and in other parts of Grand Bahama paying rent, who want to get back to their dwelling, who want to get back to their community,” he said.
Some, he pointed out, simply need a cesspit tank, their plumbing connected or their kitchen completed in order to move back into their homes.
He also commended the government agencies for the work being carried out to revive the homes and communities in East Grand Bahama so that residents who are yearning to be back in their homes can return.
“We’re talking about getting the schools that were once condemned by the former administration, getting those schools back into service so we can stop ferrying children from Sweeting’s Cay and bussing them from McLean’s Town all the way into Freeport. This is about getting government agencies back into East Grand Bahama,” he said.
With the Police Station and the Post Office Department reopened in McLean’s Town and Local Government, Social Services and Urban Renewal set to come on stream in East Grand Bahama, Senator Russell said the objective of the Government is simply to bring compassionate relief to the people of Grand Bahama through collaboration.
Administrator for East Grand Bahama Gilbert Kemp is also excited about the progress and revealed that office spaces for most of the government agencies for East Grand Bahama have been secured and he expected to be in his office by next week.
According DRA Chairman Alex Storr, to-date, some 1,000 persons have contacted his office for assistance via HARP.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
BIS Photos/Lisa Davis
Header: Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey said all of the relevant government agencies are working together in a collaborative effort to restore Grand Bahama and Abaco.
1st insert: Senator Kirkland Russell underscored the work the various government agencies have been able to accomplish in an effort to restore East Grand Bahama in the effort to get displaced residents back in their homes.
2nd insert: Administrator for East Grand Bahama Gilbert Kemp revealed that he anticipates his office will be open next week to be able to service residents in the area after a long hiatus. BIS Photo/Lisa Davis