The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WEEKS after hurricane Sandy ravished the country, the government has declared that six Family Islands are eligible for duty free imports.

Those islands, recommended by the National Emergency Management Agency, include Abaco and its cays, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma and its cays, Grand Bahama and Long Island.

The move necessitates a Declaration of Exigency under the Excise Act.

Building materials; electrical and plumbing fixtures; household furniture and appliances; freezers and heaters; materials for clean up or property fencing; fishing boats, gear, parts and apparatus; farming equipment and motor vehicles can all be imported duty free for 90 days, beginning November 15.

Assessments of the islands affected revealed that Cat Island and Exuma were hit hardest. On Long Island, many farmers reported ruined crops and destroyed buildings. The Grand Bahama airport and a school in Ragged Island were flooded.Docks on the western side of Great Inagua were destroyed and the roof of a government building was partially torn off.