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VOLUME:116 No.175, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2019
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20 DEAD By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
TWENTY people have been confirmed dead as a result of Hurricane Dorian’s fury, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last night. While government braces for this death toll to grow, Dr Minnis further warned looters and law-breakers of prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. He said to reinforce safety and security in Abaco and Grand Bahama, additional Royal Bahamas Police Force officers and
marines had already been deployed to those islands. They will have the support of 150 Jamaican Defence Force officers. The reports of looting, according to National Security Minister Marvin Dames – some isolated and others localised – have taken away from the overall recovery and rescue efforts as every reported incident has to be physically looked at by authorities. Meanwhile, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, there have been 17 deaths confirmed from SEE PAGES TWO AND THREE
A PATIENT rescued by the US Coast Guard yesterday arrives at the Odyssey Aviation base in Nassau after Hurricane Dorian. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
• PM’s warning to looters as new officers move in • 150 Jamaicans to join security force • Floods recede in Grand Bahama Freeport ‘did well’
• Survivors’ dramatic accounts of escape from the sea • US urged to relax rules for Bahamian families • New regulations to help vital supplies
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
PAGE 2, Thursday, September 5, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
THE WESTERN Air terminal in Grand Bahama, shattered by Hurricane Dorian and, below, more images of the damage across the island. Photos: Lyndah Wells Photography
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 5, 2019, PAGE 3
Now it’s 20 dead
A TOILET sits in the debris of George Bolter’s home destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in the Pine Bay neighborhood of Freeport. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP from page one Abaco and three related to Grand Bahama. He said officials were fully capable and able of handling an increasing death toll, adding some of the victims had already been identified while others had not. The identities, he told The Tribune, were being withheld as a matter of sensitivity to relatives. Speaking of his plans for both islands, Dr Minnis said his administration planned to rebuild them stronger and more resilient. He said one of the ways people from around the world could assist the country in rebuilding was to visit unaffected islands by plane or boat. John Michel Clarke has been appointed as chair of the Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Committee, the Killarney MP announced. Nicole Campbell, permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, will serve as co-chair. Their handling of funding will be reviewed by a reputable accounting firm that will provide oversight to ensure that funds are properly spent. There also will be regular reports to ensure accountability. “Fellow Bahamians and residents, this is not the time for partisan politics or divisiveness,” Dr Minnis said moments after completing a flight over Grand Bahama. He said while many homes there had been completely submerged by flooding, the island did well infrastructurally. “The Bahamian spirit is resilient and unbreakable. We will meet this awesome challenge with the same mindset that led us to build this chain of islands over generations. Hard work, focus, tenacity, love and compassion are what we are about. “We will persevere because we are a people of hope. There is something each one of us can do to help. Let us all give of our best in this moment of historic tragedy.” On its current track, Dorian has the potential to affect parts of the US southeastern coast and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. He continued: “I advise Bahamians in those areas to pay attention to local advisories, and to take every necessary precaution to be safe. Even in our hour of need let us pray for those citizens and residents of
Canada and the United States of America still in the path of Hurricane Dorian. “Let me advise the international press and potential visitors that New Providence, Paradise Island and the other islands of the Bahamas are open to receiving tourists and guests,” he said. “One of the best ways that people from around the world can show their support and solidarity with The Bahamas at this time, is to visit our other islands by air or by cruise ship. “One prominent visitor who visited the Bahamas with his wife in February, and who loved his visit here, pledged to return again in February for a visit. To keep our economy strong in order to help
with recovery and reconstruction, we will need to keep our booming tourism economy vibrant. “We must keep our economy strong and resilient in order to help in the rescue and recovery of those in need. Most of us have relatives on Grand Bahama and Abaco. They will have to rely on us, especially those of us on New Providence, to rebuild their lives. “New Providence must be the bedrock and the command centre to rebuild Grand Bahama and Abaco. We will rebuild better and stronger,” the prime minister added. Dr Minnis further urged Bahamians to pray for first responders and those seeking relatives, adding both he and his wife Patricia continued to pray as well.
THE GOVERNMENT dock in Moore’s Island has been destroyed. It is a critical resource as the island gets most of its goods and supplies by mailboat.
PAGE 4, Thursday, September 5, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
THE PINE forests surrounding Treasure Cay airport are stripped bare and have been snapped like matchsticks by the storm.
Photos: Ava Turnquest/Tribune Staff
Abaco devastated By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
NO water, no power, no fuel, and no communication was the critical plight facing hundreds of people across the Abacos yesterday. Communities in Treasure Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Moore’s Island have been devastated by deadly Hurricane Dorian. And while critical supplies are running low, the total communications blackout has been a major source of anxiety as many fret over the safety of loved ones on mainland Abaco and neighbouring Grand Bahama. “The community has been destroyed,” said Stephanie Hield, chairman of the Treasure Cay township, “the houses, hotels, completely gone. You can go through about one or two of them (houses) and they are still there but other than that (nothing).” Ms Hield estimates more than 90 percent of the homes and businesses have been destroyed, and with roads leading out of the community still blocked, security is a mounting concern. She said communities in Man-O-War Cay and Grand Cay have all been accounted for. “We haven’t had security (in Treasure Cay) for the whole hurricane, just
CLYDE Cornish: ‘It’s going to take a national effort’
STEPHANIE HIELD, chairman of the Treasure Cay township, said “the community has been destroyed”. one policeman. People are military planes flew overlooting, looting has been head but did not stop. The terrible, no violence but airport building had been they gone into (empty) torn apart and scores of houses, food stores, liquor people waited around the stores,” she claimed. runway’s edge, hoping for She spoke to The Trib- supplies like roof tarps or a une from the tarmac at the flight off the island. settlement’s airport as US The settlement’s three
CHIEF councillor Dalson Stuart said Moore’s Island desperately needs assistance. shantytowns, Sand Banks, L & H, and The Farm, have been decimated, creating desperate conditions as much of the resident Haitian community had no food, water, or clothing. “My house is totally gone,” said Mark Russell,
a 45-year-old working in marine construction who has lived in Treasure Cay for 18 years. “My new home I didn’t even get to live in it yet, just watched from across the street at my friend’s house as it got picked up off its foundation.” Mr Russell said he now lived with ten people, and making the best of his situation because there was nowhere else to go. Another resident, Curtis Mills, 49, said he was sheltering 20 people in his home and had no idea what would happen when their food ran out. Rev Stafford Symonette, 69, said he and five family members braved the storm in a Kia Sportage for three hours before moving to a Chevy Suburban after his home “imploded”. He said he heard what sounded like a freight train before the walls “just came in”. While in the Kia, a portion of his roof blew off and landed on top of the car. “It was the greatest miracle,” Rev Symonette said, “that was either a gust or a tornado.” “That was one of those devastating hurricanes I’ve ever seen,” said airport manager Clyde Cornish, who asked The Tribune to pass on a message to his two daughters in Nassau. “Don’t fret, I’m safe,” he said.
Mr Cornish said second home-owners have been flying in with supplies, but conditions were dire for the roughly 1,500 people who live in the area. “It’s going to take a national effort to get this back to where it used to be. We’re hearing that people have died (in Abaco) but we haven’t had a count as yet. We had one person die in Treasure Cay, but we’re hearing the numbers they throwing around and anxiety is very high right now.” Mr Cornish added: “We don’t have no communication right now, I’m happy that you came and talked.” Both Ms Hield and Mr Cornish confirmed a woman died in Treasure Cay but did not know her name or the circumstances of her death. There were no body bags in the settlement, and at the time, Ms Hield said she was not sure whether the woman’s body had been moved. Ms Hield said: “A young man got his hand cut off and his mommy ran out. I don’t know if it’s a heart attack or what. “We have to work now to see if we can get that body into Marsh Harbour because the roads were blocked due to the conditions.” The Tribune travelled to parts of Abaco with Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis, and a
OFF-DUTY SERGEANT SAVES HIS FAMILY AND SIX MORE PEOPLE By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
POLICE Sergeant Dominique McKenzie was not on duty when he sprung into rescue mode, saving not only his family, but six others from an apartment building that was overcome by rising flood water on Monday. After getting them to safety, the officer and two other men risked their lives, wading through six to seven feet of water some 200 yards away to rescue an elderly woman trapped in neck-high water in her house for two days. The woman was trapped in a remote area behind Dollar Deals store on Settler’s Way. The 68-year-old, Miriam Evans, was in bad shape, with boils all over her body. Their rescue came right in time. Ms Evans reportedly told the men she was about to give up after struggling to hold on for two days, trying to keep her head above water. Now Sgt McKenzie and two other Grand Bahama men are being hailed as heroes. The officer owns an apartment building that is across from the Jehovah’s Witness Church off Settler’s Way.
“The surge came in on Monday morning, and the water started to rise, and moved in very quickly,” he recalled. “It came into the first apartment on the eastern side and then it took over the other apartment units.” The water rose about four feet inside but appeared to be seven feet high on the street outside. Sgt McKenzie and his family, six other tenants including a disabled elderly woman, live in the apartment building. As the waters began to rise, he said he called his superintendent and told him he and several others needed to be rescued. However, he was told police could not get to their location due to the storm conditions. They were advised to move to higher ground. Sgt McKenzie said his wife was fearful that if they stayed in the home through the night, the situation would only get worse. Thinking quickly, he looked outside for higher ground. He saw a church across the street but the parking lot was filled with water. “I looked at the church but I decided that was not the best place. Then I looked to my left and saw an abandoned two-storey building and decided that
we will make a break for that building,” he said. He took his wife and two children over first, entered the abandoned building, then went back for the others, including the disabled tenant. He said they put the woman in a refrigerator, using it as a makeshift flotation device, and guided her over in about six to seven feet of water. “It was an old refrigerator I had planned to move before the storm, and thank God we did not move (it),” he said. “We used the refrigerator as a boat and we were able to put her inside it, me and my wife and her brothers and we rescued ourselves and six others, pretty much.” He said other neighbours also sought shelter in the abandoned building. They told him there was another woman who was trapped in her home who needed help. “I said in the morning we have to check on the lady – dead or alive.” On Tuesday, Sgt McKenzie and two friends ventured outdoors, as Dorian sat stalled over Grand Bahama with raging 150mph winds. They took a hammer and flashlight. The water was at their necks as they made their way to the woman’s house. They knocked on doors and
PICTURES from West End showing damage there, including coffins bursting from graves. Photos: Lashay Colton
windows until they heard a faint cry. They pried the door open with a hammer and saw Ms Evans in the water. “She was up to her neck, trying to keep her head above water. You could smell the strong odour of oil and gasoline and she said she stood in that for two days. “She said she almost
gave up. We got her out, she had a heart condition, and we took her back to our makeshift shelter in the abandoned building.” Sgt McKenzie said Ms Evans was not in good shape, so when the flood water receded, they started to flag people down on the street for help to get her to hospital. “No one stopped, persons
looked in our face and sped off.” He said his cousin, Samuel Major, passed by and he told him of their situation. His cousin helped the group to get to the hospital. When asked if he felt like a hero, Sgt McKenzie said he and the others were just doing what needed to be done.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 5, 2019, PAGE 5
SOME of the damage witnessed across the Abacos yesterday during the tour by The Tribune.
Photos: Ava Turnquest/Tribune Staff
by deadly Dorian small delegation. On Moore’s Island, the PLP delegation represented the fishing village’s first contact with the outside world since the storm. Economic activity on the island has come to a standstill with all four docks destroyed, and no heavy machinery to assist with clearing debris. The tiny island is just 7 by 3.5 miles, and had a population size of around 600 but the number was said to have dwindled to around 450 with people leaving for mainland Abaco and Grand Bahama for work. They have been without telecommunications for about two weeks. Chief Councillor Dalson Stuart has a satellite phone, and sometimes residents can make a call on BTC’s network if they traverse atop a hill. Noting that residents had already started to clean up by hand, and were committed to self-reliance, Mr Stuart said they still desperately needed assistance. The reverse osmosis plant cannot run without power, and as islanders are forced to use drinking water to also bathe and cook - supplies are critically low. Mr Stuart said: “So we have a lot of family over there and we haven’t been able to hear from them, so it’s a lot of anxiety. We are cut off from everybody and if the mailboat comes right
THE MOORE’s Island All-Age School has been badly damaged. Pictured right, Mark Russell, left, and Rev Symonette. now there isn’t even a dock 59 and Verna Stuart, 50, asked The Tribune to send for it to come to.” “As much as it hurts me out messages for their to look around and see family. Ms Stuart said: “I just what we are going through, when I think about our want to let my children neighbours and family next know in Central Pines door it still hurts more (Marsh Harbour) that we because I know that they are ok and I would very are in a worse state than we much like to hear from them. God is good and all are right now.” Yesterday, Dornell Davis, is well.”
FROM CAR CRASH TO FLEEING TORNADO By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
THIRTY days after a car accident, dietitian Shanishka Cambridge found herself “running from a tornado” in her Marsh Harbour home. In a mad dash for safety, she and her son ran to a closet while her husband pushed against a door to stave off the ferocious wind. Dorian’s raging gusts had already torn off parts of her home’s roof. “I work at the Department of Public Health at the Marshall’s Heath Care Centre as a dietitian,” the 34-year-old told The Tribune shortly after she landed at Odyssey Aviation in Nassau on a rescue flight. “One month prior to this hurricane I was in a tragic car accident when the doctor, nurse and I were travelling to another clinic to work and we were all airlifted. Thirty days later, I’m in Hurricane Dorian, running from a tornado in my house with my husband and
son trying to save our lives. “My son and I went into the closet for safety and my husband pushed on the door with all of his life just to prevent the strong winds from coming in that part of the house to tear that part of the roof off. Every (other) part of the house the roof was off.” Mrs Cambridge said she remembers feeling like she was going to die while clutching her broken arm. “It’s very depressing, I’ve been in two life threatening situations in a matter of 30 days,” she said. “I was already hospitalised because of the accident (I was in) A&E, ICU. “There was flooding in our home; (despite) our home being on a little hill it still flooded because the strong winds blew rain water through the air-condition, through the windows, under the door, wherever it could get the water in so it began flooding even before the roof tore off.” She added: “Everything was destroyed in the house almost like we should just
burn it down and start over.” Anxious relatives from New Providence also gathered at the airport waiting on their loved one’s arrival. Nassau resident Sandra Cooke told reporters that her sister-in-law was trapped under her roof for more than 16 hours. She was brought into Nassau from Abaco yesterday. Ms Cooke said: “My sister-in-law’s roof collapsed on her, she was trapped underneath the roof for 17 hours and my brother couldn’t find her. He sent the dog in there and he found her, but he couldn’t lift the roof off of her, so she was stuck underneath that roof for 17 hours. It was a break in the storm and the neighbours came over to help and they took her cross to their house. Today was the first day we were able to get her out. She can’t walk.” Martysta Turnquest, who has family in Abaco, is working to put together ‘safe lists’ so worried families can get information on
JOVAN Cambridge Sr. and his son Jovan Cambridge Jr. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff their relatives. “As you heard there are information we were able to Ms Turnquest said: a lot of communities (that) gather on our settlements.” “There are still many people aren’t hearing about On Tuespeople unaccounted for and their loved ones are day, the US Coast in Cooper’s Town, Wood reaching out to us because Guard started airlifting Cay, Black Cay, Fox Town, we have done our best to people in need of urgent Mount Hope. send out safe lists and any medical care out of Abaco.
STORM SURVIVOR: THE LORD KEPT US ALIVE
ONE elderly evacuee who arrived at Odyssey yesterday told his story of the hell of Dorian. Bob Cornea told reporters: “The experience was terrible, absolutely horrifying.
“Well, it was during the storm, the last 24 hours weren’t so bad we were in a safe place. “My son had a house, second storey stayed intact. So that’s where we been for, since the eye of
the storm. ‘I’m in the same clothes that I was in in the storm. “Water was up to my neck. Stayed like that for two or three hours through the eye of the storm.
“We have been through all kinds of hurricanes, all kinds of storms, never anything like that. “I mean it was like we were standing in the middle of the ocean. That’s what it looked like.
“The waves, the water was just crashing in over us. Horrifying, absolutely horrifying. “But all I an say, God is with us. That’s the only reason we are alive. The Lord kept us alive.”
BOB CORNEA
PAGE 6, Thursday, September 5, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
DAMAGE in Grand Bahama yesterday after Hurricane Dorian.
Photo: Lyndah Wells Photography
No reports of violence against US relief agencies By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THERE have been no reports of violence against United States agencies conducting relief efforts in Abaco following Hurricane Dorian, the US Embassy has said. The embassy, on its official Twitter account, said both the United States Coast Guard and Customs & Border Protection have been unimpeded in their relief efforts. Superintendent Brian Rolle, the officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit for the northern islands, also said he has heard no official reports of criminal activities in Abaco. However, Supt Rolle noted that communication with officials in Abaco has been strained, if not impossible due to the monster
storm’s passage. US officials also said information going in and coming out of Abaco has made it “difficult” to accurately speak to the situation on the ground. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard, on its official website, said it has saved 61 people and rescued four pets as of 10am Wednesday. Additionally, US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Scott Buschman, in an interview with MSNBC, said the agency has conducted “a number” of medical evacuations. VADM Buschman said the US Coast Guard currently has helicopters in the air; Customs and Border Protection has two helicopters in the air, he said. The agency’s official website says it is conducting air operations from Andros. According to the US Coast Guard’s website, the
agency also has 17 shallowwater rescue boat teams standing by to respond to Hurricane Dorian. Three US Coast Guard cutters are “actively engaged” in hurricane response efforts, the website said. VADM Buschman, in his interview with MSNBC, said the US Coast Guard’s response was planned weeks in advance of the Category 5 storm, and that the helicopters were “pre-staged”. “We’ve actually been flying into Abaco islands— this is our third day now,” he said. “We got out there on Tuesday with a few of our helicopters that were pre-staged in The Bahamas. And I want to reiterate that we’ve been planning for this storm for several weeks now knowing that this was going to be a significant storm, maybe in The Bahamas, certainly in the United
States and everywhere in between. “So we’ve been planning for about two weeks. We had helicopters pre-positioned in The Bahamas at their request.” When asked how long he thinks the US Coast Guard will remain in The Bahamas to lend its assistance, VADM Buschman said: “That’s hard to say right now. “We’re focused on search and rescue, assisting those that need help, finding those that need the most medical evacuation, prioritise them and get them to a higher level of care. “…Today is the first day we’ve had good weather,” he added. “Not only in the Abacos. We’ve been flying for two previous days but the weather hasn’t been really great flying conditions. Today it’s good flying conditions, it’s good
flying conditions in Grand Bahama island so it gives us an opportunity to get out there and really get a handle on what the level of devastation is and how many people need assistance.” VADM Buschman said he had the opportunity to conduct an overflight assessment of Abaco with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis; Health Minister Dr Duane Sands; Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister, and other officials. He said the group was able to fly “the length” of the island. He said the group saw “lots of destruction, lots of devastation throughout our flight”. “Parts of the devastation I saw yesterday were certainly as bad as any devastation I’ve seen in any storm I’ve ever flown over after the hurricane passes,” VADM
Buschman told MSNBC. Officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said although information is limited due to its agents being unable to conduct on-theground assessments due to the inclement weather, it is currently focused on providing shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene to those affected by the storm. Additionally, an official from the US Department of State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said besides the US Coast Guard operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is offering to assist in providing air traffic control for the impacted islands. That official said the State Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs is also “ready to respond” to whatever requests for other resources that may arise.
A BOAT thrown onshore by Hurricane Dorian next to a highway near Freeport. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP
VIRGINIA Mosvold sits on sits on a lounger she was in when rescued from her home, flooded by the waters of Hurricane Dorian, on the outskirts of Freeport. The 84-year-old was taken to a hospital in Freeport. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 5, 2019, PAGE 7
Exigency order for bottled water, clothes, food, hygiene products By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net FOR the next 30 days, bottled water, clothing, food for personal consumption and personal hygiene products will be duty and value added tax-free for persons and businesses importing these items as donations to registered charities. This is according to Athena Marche, acting deputy financial secretary in the Ministry of Finance. Medicine and medical supplies, building materials, tents, cots, bedding materials, mosquito netting, electrical and plumbing fixtures and materials, household
furniture, furnishings and appliances, and electrical generators will be duty-free and VAT-free under the same circumstances for 90 days. Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson said the government had made this decision in order to allow “all and sundry” to help Bahamians who are in need. The government is also waiving a number of fees for non-commercial flights bringing in relief goods in Grand Bahama and Abaco for the next three months. These include departure tax, customs processing fees and environmental levy fees. If there is a need for items that are not on the
approved list, Ms Marche said application could be made to the ministry for review and to import the goods. Ms Marche also clarified misinformation about government-approved charities. “There is a list of approved charities/nonprofits on the Department of Inland Revenue’s website, which has been circulated via social media. This is only a list of Bahamian non-profits that are VAT registered. It is not a comprehensive list of registered charities,” she explained. “A comprehensive register of charities is maintained by the Registrar General. “NEMA also has a list of
charities that are engaged in disaster relief activities. If there are established charities that are not on a registered list for some reason, NEMA hosts a daily NGO briefing. Kindly contact NEMA Captain Russell 376-6362 if you wish your NGO to build a relationship with NEMA. “The exigency order is not exclusive to charities. All individuals and businesses can apply to import tax-free goods under the exigency order. However, all goods imported under the exigency order must be used for charitable purposes by registered charities.” Individuals and businesses are eligible to import tax-free goods under the exigency order under the
following three conditions. The imported goods fall under the approved list of items, the final destination of the imported goods is an approved island and imported goods will be used for charitable purposes to support restoration activities directly related to Hurricane Dorian or by individuals who have directly suffered hardship or loss as a result of this storm. Customs officials also said yesterday that they were aiming to make the import process easier. The process involved completing the exigency order form for approved goods. It can be downloaded at customs, National Emergency Management Agency or
A PLANE destroyed by Hurricane Dorian sits amid debris at the airport in Freeport yesterday after Hurricane Dorian.
Ministry of Finance websites or copies can be collected from the Customs Department. A C-18 form must be completed for unaccompanied goods. These are goods arriving on a private aircraft or charter plane. The C-17 form is for accompanied goods. These are for people travelling through baggage claim at the airport or on private vessel and pleasure craft. The C-13 air cargo or sea cargo must be filled out for goods arriving through a shipping company, freight forwarder, courier, including DHL, Zipx, Betty K and others. Customs will be responsible for reviewing and approving documents at the port of entry.
Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP
50 CATS, 75 DOGS SURVIVE HUMANE SOCIETY FLOODING By LEANDRA ROLLE
AT LEAST 50 cats and 75 dogs have survived after the Grand Bahama Humane Society was flooded by Hurricane Dorian, according to a statement posted on the group’s Facebook page. As Dorian stalled over Grand Bahama for nearly two days and pummelled the island with winds of
more than 150mph, the HSGB reported that six shelter workers and more than 300 animals were stuck in the flooded shelter. The six workers were rescued on Tuesday. According to updates on the HSGB’s Facebook page, animal rescue efforts are still going on. In addition to the efforts made by HSGB, several animal welfare
organisations have also joined forces to help rescue animals that have been injured and displaced in the affected islands. In a statement released on Facebook, the Bahamas Humane Society, in partnership with the Veterinary Medical Association of the Bahamas, BAARK (Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness) and the Ministry of Agriculture
noted that they are pleased to work with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which is one of the largest animal welfare organisations in the world. BHS also explained that they are currently waiting for assessments to be completed on Abaco and Grand Bahama to identify what is needed in terms of transportation, supplies or
volunteers to help the animals in need. “We as the veterinary community are completely heartbroken by the devastation Hurricane Dorian has caused to our country. We want the public to be aware that we are putting a plan into action to assist those animals in need in the affected islands,” BHS said in a statement yesterday.
Members of the public, who are aware of people needing assistance to relocate their animals in Abaco and Grand Bahama, are asked to email doriananimalrelief@gmail.com with the subject titled “Assistance Needed”. If persons would like to donate supplies or volunteer to either relief effort, they can visit BHS’ and HSGB’s Facebook pages.
PAGE 8, Thursday, September 5, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Florida senators seek US visa waiver for Bahamians US Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott have asked the Trump administration to waive or suspend certain visa requirements for Bahamian storm victims with relatives in the United States. In a letter sent to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the Republican senators asked the president “to waive, or otherwise suspend, certain visa requirements for affected citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas who have relatives in the United States with whom they can reside as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives and their country.”
The letter continued: “As Americans, and others throughout our hemisphere and across the globe, work to provide aid and assistance for the many needs of the Bahamian people at this time, perhaps one of the most basic yet meaningful steps our government can take immediately is to ensure that those who have lost everything, including family members in some instances, are provided the opportunity for shelter and reunification with family in the United States. “Florida enjoys historically deep ties with The Bahamas and, by proximity, many Floridians have family
in The Bahamas. While parts of The Bahamas endured sustained winds of 180 miles for almost two days, Florida watched and prepared for Dorian’s landfall. Although Florida’s east coast continues to experience high winds and storm surges, our state is fortunate to avoid a direct hit. Floridians are now eager to help their family and friends in The Bahamas.” According to The Miami Herald, the plea from the two senators came after Florida state Rep Shevrin Jones, a Bahamian-American with family in the Bahamas, called the two to ask them to help provide
sanctuary to those affected by Hurricane Dorian. The Florida newspaper reported that the senators’ request “is not the same as Temporary Protected Status, a temporary legal status given to foreign nationals of designated countries affected by armed conflict or natural disaster, which allows people to live and work in the United States for limited times.” The report said: “The measure proposed by Rubio and Scott would allow citizens of The Bahamas to stay with family in the United States while the country rebuilds in
the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s destruction. It is unclear if TPS is being discussed. In a Wednesday conference call between members of Congress and the State Department, a State Department official said the agency is focused on processing visa adjudications from The Bahamas quickly instead of offering TPS to Bahamians in the US. The official said it is the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to grant TPS to The Bahamas.” Meanwhile, President Trump gave reporters an update at the White House yesterday on US efforts to help this country.
“We have been sending through the United States Coast Guard who have been incredible,” Mr Trump said. “They’re on The Bahamas right now and they’re helping with The Bahamas. “A big section of The Bahamas was hit like few people have seen before, but we’re helping in a humanitarian way. We’ve been asked to help by the government of The Bahamas and we have numerous helicopters and we’re sending some people to give them a hand, they need a big hand, what’s going over there is incredible. Few people have seen anything like that.”
ROYAL NAVY DELIVERS AID TO GREAT ABACO A ROYAL Navy vessel has delivered its first batch of aid to residents of Great Abaco. Other aid has poured in as well, with the United Nations announcing yesterday an initial allocation of $1m for storm relief. The RFA Mounts Bay, a Landing Ship Dock, has provided more than 1,200 cases of water, 1,300 food ration packs and 500 shelter kits. A rigid-hulled inflatable boat was deployed yesterday afternoon with a relief team on board to join up with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to unload aid for those who have been worst hit by Hurricane Dorian. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The highly skilled crew and specialist equipment of RFA Mounts Bay have been on call since June to support our overseas territories and friends in the hurricane season. “Its Wildcat helicopter has begun conducting reconnaissance flights of the Bahamas to help assess the damage and the crew have begun distributing UK
aid. My thoughts remain with those affected and our world-class military will continue to assist the Bahamas Government to offer relief and aid to those who need it most.” UK International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said: “The images of devastation and destruction across the Bahamas are truly shocking. The clock is now ticking to get help to those in need, and I’m pleased that Mounts Bay has begun to deliver lifesaving relief items to those in desperate need.” The commanding officer of RFA Mounts Bay, Captain Rob Anders, said: “RFA Mounts Bay has been working alongside the Bahamian National Emergency and Management Agency and US Coastguard personnel, using our Wildcat helicopter to conduct initial assessments on Abaco island and we have landed reconnaissance troops ashore. “I am pleased to be able to use our people and equipment to send water and food ashore to provide aid to the Bahamian people.” In a press release issued
A RIGID-hulled inflatable from the RFA Mounts Bay, loaded with supplies, is launched to deliver relief to Great Abaco yesterday. yesterday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said it has deployed staff to support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and to support the Bahamian people
and government “as they begin the recovery from the devastating impact of the strongest hurricane in Bahamas’ history.” The UN’s statement added: “Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in (the) Bahamas on Sunday as one of the most powerful Atlantic
storms on record — maximum sustained winds reached 185 mph with some gusts of up to 220. The full scale of the storm is not yet known since the island is still underwater prohibiting landing of flights and only initial aerial assessments are possible at this time.” “We are deeply saddened
by the loss of lives and the impact on people in the Bahamas. We will work to support their prompt recovery and strengthen their livelihoods and resilience,” said UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Luis Felipe López Calva.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 5, 2019, PAGE 9
A QUEUE for gas in Freeport yesterday.
Photo: Lyndah Wells Photography
‘Donate more items that can be used right away’ By LEANDRA ROLLE THE New Providence Community Centre is appealing to the public to donate more items that can be used “right away” by those affected by Hurricane Dorian. NPCC is a donation collection point for hurricane relief. Shanelle Johnson, who is working on the relief effort at NPCC, told The Tribune yesterday
SCHOOLS REOPEN ON MONDAY ALL public schools the country except those in Abaco and Grand Bahama will reopen on Monday, September 9, the Ministry of Education said yesterday. All staff members are expected to report for duty at the usual time.
that volunteers are in need of items that hurricane victims can use immediately. “We need toothbrushes, toothpastes, sanitary pads, baby diapers, baby formulas that’s already made, juice, any kind of canned goods that they can eat with pop-up tops. If they’re going to donate canned goods without pop-up tops, we need openers because we’re sending people openers as well. Also, sleeping clothing kind of stuff and emergency kits like painkillers, Pepto Bismol, alcohol, Dettol and that kind of stuff.” Ms Johnson added: “We do have a lot of water donations. The water is heavy. Also, they got four water machines so another thing we need is if people can donate five gallons of sterilised bottles.” For those who want to make financial donations, Ms Johnson said they can do so by writing a cheque to the New Providence Community Centre.
Volunteers are working into the night to accept donations. “We’re here until 9pm. So, our volunteers are from 8.30am to 8pm and then our collection of donations runs until 6pm,” she said. Ms Johnson also noted that the NPCC leadership team will continue to visit the Abacos and Grand Bahama in the coming days, assessing the islands to see what will be needed most. “Today is our victory day because we feel as though this is the day, we will be able to send out stuff, land it and support our brothers and sisters,” she said. “And as of today, it’s a continuation and this is an ongoing project.” NPCC has partnered with numerous local non-profit organisations in an effort to provide aid and relief to those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Persons who want to volunteer can either call or sign up at church.
THE WORLD Central Kitchen team led by chef José Andrés is already delivering meals to people on Abaco. The team sent thousands of meals to Abaco yesterday via helicopter, with more on the way, and were hoping to land and assess the situation in Freeport yesterday. Mr Andrés posted pictures to Twitter of the team loading up a helicopter, saying “Getting food loaded up earlier... Helicopter just a start until we get our @WCKitchen kitchens cooking on Abaco and Grand Bahama! More soon! #ChefsForBahamas”
MEMBERS of the US Coast Guard who brought people in yesterday from affected islands to the Odyssey Aviation base in Nassau. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
PAGE 10, Thursday, September 5, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Hear of looting? Contact authorities THROUGHOUT the past day, we have received reports at The Tribune of looters operating in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. The stories are sometimes sketchy, sometimes lurid - and often difficult to pin down. This is not surprising given the difficult nature of contacting both Abaco and Grand Bahama - our own reporting team on Abaco has had difficulty themselves getting the word out with the communications network suffering. Last night, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of National Security warned of the danger of spreading stories without absolute certainty of their truth. The difficulty is this - police and defence force officers in the hurricane zone are frantically working to reach people in need of rescue. They are trying to get people out of flooded and ruined homes. They are organising food for those who are able to remain on the islands, and evacuation for those who need it. All the time they are dealing with people who are tired, hungry and deeply hurt, possibly physically but certainly emotionally. The goal of those officers is to get to people who need help - and provide it as quickly as possible. Now if they hear reports of looting, then they may have to break off from their search or reduce the manpower involved while they send people to investigate it. One such story was a report of shots being fired at a US Coast Guard helicopter. Officers diverted from their tasks to investigate - but found nothing to back up the claim. The US Embassy also put out a notice to say the Coast Guard had encountered no problems - and had only been welcomed. We do not say this to dismiss the possibility of trouble in the affected areas - the extra defence force officers being drafted to the areas, including 150 from Jamaica, are notably there to provide safety and security.
We would also be surprised if there wasn’t some form of looting taking place as desperate survivors try to grab whatever they need to keep going. But at the same time, there are halfformed reports being shared around that result in resources being diverted at the time they are most needed. This also comes at a time when there is almost information overload with the number of people reaching out and passing on locations of family to check on. So if you’re not sure, think twice before sharing these posts on. The real place to contact if a crime is being committed is the emergency services - the police, defence force officers in the area, NEMA officials - not Facebook or Twitter. If these things are happening, we absolutely must call for help - but it will come quicker and more accurately if we turn to those equipped to deal with it rather than social media. As for those who have taken part in looting, Dr Minnis and his government have pledged to come down hard on those responsible. We back such action completely. Let’s help officials to make that happen - and not waste their time along the way.
Tragedy within tragedy
In the middle of dealing with a national tragedy, the prime minister has had to deal with a personal one. It was revealed yesterday that Dr Minnis’ brother, Cecil Bosfield, has died. It is understood he died in Florida on Tuesday. We are in the very early days of response to the disaster of Hurricane Dorian, but the prime minister has so far conducted himself with dignity and determination. Learning that he has also had to bear a family loss in the midst of it all makes it all the more notable that he has been on the front line of the emergency response. We imagine that Mr Bosfield would have been very proud of his brother in this moment, and we send our own condolences to Dr Minnis on his loss.
Economic Czar EDITOR, The Tribune. IN a previous letter, I indicated that the revival and sustainable growth in the economy is vital to the success or otherwise of the Minnis administration. Job growth and the rapid expansion of the self employed are necessary if the private sector is to thrive. There are no other options. With the employment levels being what they are here in New Providence and Grand Bahama, the Most Honourable Prime Minister should appoint the Hon. Shannendon Cartwright (FNM-St Barnabas) as Minister of Commerce, Trade & Industry. Why? Brother Cartwright is a seasoned business executive having worked for many years with the McDonald’s franchise. He is also a
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net qualified financial analyst. Youthful and energetic, he is suited, in my view, to launch a major blitz here at home and in selected foreign countries to let everyone know that the FNM regime is Opened For Business once it is legitimate. Cartwright is a committed parliamentarian who knows what he is doing and he has a hands on approach to matters of statecraft. Last year, he was a part of a high powered delegation, led by Dr Minnis, on a trip to New York and the United Nations. Due to the pressure of his hectic and productive schedule, the PM requested Cartwright to deliver a very important
speech to that world body on his behalf. No other first time MP, who is not yet in cabinet, has ever had such an honour. This demonstrated the level of trust and respect which the PM has for Brother Cartwright. Once a Ministry of Commerce; Industry & Trade is up and running, it is a given that Cartwright and his team will make it work and will ensure that thousands of Bahamians are “set free” to become successful entrepreneurs and the creators of new and sustainable jobs. We have to start to think outside of the box and there is no ‘better’ candidate for this necessary ministry than Cartwright. To God then, in all things, be the glory. ORTLAND H BODIE Jr Nassau, July 31, 2019.
THE TRIBUNE
BPL: WHEN WILL ENGINES BE FIXED? NO IDEA By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Power & Light officials have “no idea” when desperately needed repairs on two of its key engines will be completed, officials have said. Quincy Parker, BPL’s director of public relations, said “new timelines” will have to be given for the repair of the two units at the Blue Hills Power Station. He added that two “specialists” will have to assess the two units before BPL can “even begin to contemplate what the new timelines will be”. And one of those specialists has not even agreed to assess the unit, according to a recent statement from BPL. Mr Parker’s comments come after a BPL statement revealed that the original timeline for repair for both units — August 30 and September 6 respectively — have been extended indefinitely. For the first unit, which provides 21-megawatts of power, BPL originally estimated seven to ten days for total system repair, which should have been done by August 30. However, BPL said that unit has seen “disappointment after disappointment in a frustrating cycle of progress and setback”. As such, BPL said it has identified a second specialist to address the “diesel starting engine issues” plaguing that unit. “Bringing on the new specialist is now a prerequisite for a new timeline to return the unit to service,” BPL said.
When questioned on how talks were going with that new specialist, Mr Parker, who said he was in Abaco, said he was “out of the loop” and thus unable to say. Concerning the second, 23-megawatt unit, BPL said it has identified a “necessary component for needed repairs” and has sent a BPL representative via air travel to secure it and bring it back to The Bahamas. According to BPL’s statement, the component has been deemed necessary by an in-town specialist in order for him to test and fully assess the generator. The company said the decision to get the component cut days off the time between sourcing it and installing it and “spinning the machine up to resume testing”. Once it is installed and the unit is started, he can commence his assessment. Mr Parker told The Tribune that the BPL representative and the component were scheduled to arrive in the country on Wednesday and taken straight to the plant to be installed. BPL said it originally anticipated up to 21 days for repair for that unit. In its statement, the company said the expected completion date will be updated “as soon as the specialist is able to render an assessment”. According to a previous statement from BPL, the two units total 44 megawatts of power, which “more than makes up the generation deficit we face during peak energy consumption hours”. BPL is also continuing load shedding.
Thursday, September 5, 2019, PAGE 11
BPL’s Clifton Pier plant - but it is the company’s Blue Hills Power Plant where two engines still need repairs. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune Staff
PAGE 12, Thursday, September 5, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at last night’s press conference.
Prime Minister’s brother dies To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
ONE of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ brothers, Cecil Bosfield, has died. In a statement yesterday, the Free National Movement extended condolences to Dr Minnis, Cyril “Boxer” Minnis, Alberta Hall and
their entire family on Bosfield’s death. “We are aware of the burden you are now carrying from the devastation by Hurricane Dorian and now the loss of your brother,” the FNM said. “Please note
that our Father God has promised that he would not put more on you than you can handle. May his soul rest in peace.” The Tribune understands Bosfield died in Florida on Tuesday.