NASSAU, Bahamas – Ahead of his visit to storm-affected areas of Abaco, Bahamas Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham gave reporters an update Monday, August 29th on the delivery of emergency supplies to victims of Hurricane Irene, and applauded the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) for its re-electrification numbers to-date.
According to PM Ingraham:
“NEMA has had supplies delivered to various points in The Bahamas. A Jamaican Defence Force aircraft delivered 400 pounds of supplies to Mayaguana. We’ve also had items delivered to Acklins and Crooked Island in particular.
The HMBS Nassau is now in Smith’s Bay, Cat Island delivering a team of 10 Defence Force officers to supplement the two who are there now. And those 12 together with the 30 members of the HMBS Nassau will assist in cleaning up in Cat Island. They are also delivering to Cat Island water, food, tarpaulin and other such items.
We are also seeking to set up in Cat Island now reverse osmosis plants together with generators.
CDEMA is assisting us with technical teams to conduct assessments in Cat Island, and BEC is in contact with CARILEC with regard to assistance with electricity restoration in Cat Island in the shortest possible time.
We are having discussions with US authorities for the purpose of supplying us with some additional generators and other such items. We are continuing to supply essentials to all the communities.
The Ministry of Public Works will undertake a more detailed assessment of infrastructure. We know some of those which we have to do such as the High School in Crooked Island, and at the same time repair the clinic in Smith’s Bay, Cat Island and to put in generators in Cat Island so that the clinics can function and have medication that is refrigerated. We will do the same thing in Acklins and elsewhere.
We are very pleased with the response of Government agencies. I think that any fair-minded person would say that the island (New Providence) has been cleaned quickly. Similar exercises are taking place elsewhere in The Bahamas.”
Prime Minister Ingraham advised that Cabinet would make a decision Tuesday, August 30th on the issuance and scope of exigency orders for the islands most heavily impacted by Irene.
Following that Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister will begin a two-day tour of the southern islands impacted by Irene. He had previously visited Cat Island and Exuma.
BEC Re-Electrification Numbers To-Date:
Island % of service restored
Andros – 100%
Bimini – 100%
Ragged Island – 100%
Inagua – 100%
Gt. Harbour Cay – 100%
Black Point & Staniel Cay – 100%
Farmer’s Cay – 100%
Mayaguana – all except for Pirates Well
Crooked Island – 100%
Rum Cay – 100%
San Salvador – 100%
Long Island – 93%
Abaco – 80%
Exuma – 95%
Eleuthera – 85%
Harbour Island – 25%
Acklins Salina Point – 100%
Spring Point – 40%
Lovely Bay – 40%
Chester’s – 40%
New Providence – 98%
Cat Island – Down Completely
Small pockets of New Providence remain without electricity such as in the areas of Tin Shop Corner, East Avenue near Centreville Food store, Bilney Lane, Sea Breeze, Imperial Park, Fox Hill, Curtis Close and Kennedy.
