US donates generators and reverse osmosis systems to NEMA for shelters

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE United States government donated 28 generators that will be deployed to shelters in seven Family Islands and six reverse osmosis systems. The official handover ceremony of disaster response equipment to support a national shelter programme was held yesterday where Myles Laroda, state minister for disaster preparedness, outlined the capabilities of the equipment.

“Today, we are gathered, once again, to accept and give thanks for the United States government’s very generous donation of 28 generators which will be installed with automatic transfer switches, carbon monoxide sensors and fire extinguishers,” he said.

“This support package costs approximately $600,000. The generators will be deployed to shelters in seven of our Family Islands. The islands receiving these generators for their shelters are Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Mayaguana, and Crooked Island. The determination of which islands will be supplied with generators was made following inspections in

2022 of the 143 facilities that served as hurricane and emergency shelters throughout The Bahamas.

“US Northern Command has also partnered with the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) to secure a generator for the hurricane shelter/community centre that is currently under construction in Abaco. In addition to the generators that are being donated today, the US Northern Command is also donating six easy transportable reverse osmosis systems. These systems will allow for the rapid production of potable water for general use in remote areas,” Mr Laroda said.

Jon Smart, international engagement and acquisition division chief for the US Northern Command, boasted about the relationship the two nations have.

“This equipment supports the planning, mitigation, response and recovery before, during, and after an emergency or disaster. The equipment highlights the culture of preparedness that exists throughout The Bahamas. It also enhances and strengthens the movement towards climate resiliency here in The Bahamas,” he said.

“The turnover of the equipment is especially timely as the hurricane season approaches and it’s just around the corner.

Northern Command is proud of the relationship we have with this great nation. It is a relationship that has grown over the last few years, which is due in no small part to the superb leadership within the administration and the hard work of the Bahamian people.”

Lance Posey, acting deputy chief of mission for the US Embassy, expressed the critical equipment and ongoing training engagements are vital to emergency management.

“As close friends and partners to The Bahamas, US government, US NORTHCOM and the US people don’t believe in simply showing up after disaster strikes. We know that the work done now is just as important as the work that you have yet to come. We’re here now and we’ll always be here ready to help side by side with our Bahamian neighbours.” the Bahamian consumer”.

“While the government is sensitive to the plight of petroleum retailers, who have primarily asked for an increase on the currently fixed margin of 54 cents per gallon, it is also a priority of the Davis administration to act in a manner that does not impose a further financial burden on consumers,” OPM’s statement noted.

“In light of this, the government has agreed to explore other avenues to bring some relief to the retailers.”

The statement said the government and retailers have agreed to further discussions with other stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcome to resume talks and arrive at a conclusion in a week and a half.

This comes after the vice president of the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association pleaded with the government to reconsider its position on not granting retailers a margin increase, calling on Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis to have a “change of heart”.

With repeated calls for the government to grant a margin increase, fuel retailers have threatened to take action soon to get the government’s attention, saying that they can no longer afford to operate on the current margin regime due to increasing costs.

The last time petroleum dealers enjoyed a margin increase was in 2011 when the Hubert Ingraham-led Free National Movement (FNM) government granted a 10-cent increase per gallon of gasoline to take it from 44 cents to 54 cents. A 15-cent increase per gallon of diesel was also allowed. The government itself currently collects over $1.60 for every gallon of gasoline sold in The Bahamas.

On Friday, Vasco Bastian pleaded with Mr Halkitis to reconsider, calling him a “reasonable gentleman” despite his recent comments that the government is “not minded” to do anything that will increase the cost of fuel at the pump.

Mr Bastian also said retailers were open to any reasonable agreement that the two sides can come up with.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

DISASTER Reconstruction Authority executive chairman Alex Storr said a number of internal investigations at the agency will soon be turned over to police for further action.

He reported last October that between $250,000 to $1m-worth of post Hurricane Dorian supplies belonging to the agency are still missing.

“We have not located any more of the assets but those along with some other matters that we’re looking at the DRA, we’re meeting, discussing these and moving on to passing it on to the next level of investigation, which will involve more police action,” he told reporters yesterday.

He also said: “We have put together our internal investigations on a number of matters and we’ll be handing all that to the police.”

“I don’t even want to take that chance right now. It could be in the millions of dollars, so I just leave it at that, “ he said in roughly calculating on what is outstanding.

Yesterday, he also estimated some $20m to $30m will be needed by his agency to handle the hurricane season.

“Well, as you would have heard the minister spoke to a while ago, there has been legislation passed that will merge the DRA and NEMA and so we’re preparing for that,” he answered.

“We have put forward a budget to the Ministry of Finance that will make sure that the agency is prepared for whatever happens (during) hurricane season.” Myles Laroda, state minister for disaster preparedness, has previously said the National Emergency and Management Agency (NEMA) and the DRA will be merging into one authority “to reduce the duplication of positions and also responsibilities”.

Mr Storr was asked for an approximate figure on what is needed by the DRA to handle the hurricane season.

He answered: “I’d say it’s in the $20 (million)-$30m (range).”

Asked to confirm if it was up to $30m, Mr Storr added: “Yes and you know it all depends on whether we have a storm or not and as the cleanup and repair has continued for Dorian.”

As for domes in the agency’s possession which were used as temporary living structures by the last administration post-Hurricane Dorian, Mr Storr said some other organisations may be able to use them.

“I’m wary of using them for any type of long-term housing, because they have proven to be issues with them. But right now on my desk, I have a number of proposals from a number of organisations that have uses for the dorms.”