The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER cabinet minister yesterday said he is disappointed with NEMA and its response to distressed Family Islands – particularly Exuma – in the aftermath of 
recent flooding across the country.

Phenton Neymour, Minister of State for Public Utilities under the former FNM administration, is calling on officials to give immediate attention to residents of Exuma who have had serious losses, the result of last weeks severe weather. He believes that the lack of urgent response to the conditions at Exuma is the result of MP Anthony Moss’ absence from the constituency and persons on the island having trouble communicating with officials in the capital.

Mr Neymour was the FNM’s candidate for the Exumas and Ragged island during the 2012 general election campaign.

“Almost half of the island has challenges to get to the airport and challenges getting to the dock so. So the residents are essentially cut off from their life lines,” he said.

“I was down there and went into all the settlements affected, made my own assessments and did whatever I could do in a few short hours. I am pleased however that local government was able to procure two pumps to get the water out of Bahama Sounds and Queen’s Highway.

“I didn’t even see the MP on the island while I was there.

“It indicates that the government is not responsive to the island or the flooding. I have wanted immediate attention since Saturday.”

Mr Neymour further explained that in some parts of Exuma, settled water measured at two or three feet and several homes were still flooded.

His concerns were raised to The Tribune just moments before officials issued a statement announcing that Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis was accompanying NEMA officials to assess the damage in Exuma.

The statement said: “Captain Stephen Russell, director of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, heads the assessment team. The team also comprises engineers from the Ministry of Works and Urban Development and personnel of the Department of Social Services.

“The team will arrive into Georgetown and will then tour the flood-damaged areas, which have up to six feet of water, due to heavy rain experienced over the past 24 hours.”