The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson yesterday criticised East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest for accusing the government of failing to complete repairs on two schools on that island after government had been given $200,000 to complete the job. Mr Gibson said Mr Turnquest’s statements were “misleading” as the government had only received a “pledge” of $200,000 for the completion.

The minister, who is the coordinator for Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts, explained that the government did not physically receive cash to begin work at the Martin Town Primary School or the Eight Mile Rock High School.

He said the funds, pledged almost two weeks ago by Godfrey Smith, a top executive of the Hutchison Group of Companies in Freeport, would be paid directly to the contractors selected to carry out the repairs. The mobilisation cheque, Mr Gibson said, was just prepared yesterday for these contractors.

“I take strong objection to his comments,” Mr Gibson told The Tribune. “Peter Turnquest is intentionally misleading Bahamians. He knows we didn’t receive any cash.

“The government did not receive a cheque from the Container Port for the schools. We simply got a pledge.

“They pledged $200,000 but they are paying the contractors directly. Peter Turnquest knows that we didn’t get money.”

Before scores of supporters on Tuesday night during his party’s candidates launch, the Free National Movement deputy leader said it was “ridiculous” that the schools continued to be in a state of disrepair after Hurricane Matthew.

He urged the government to start the repairs, arguing that Grand Bahamians continued to be exposed to the elements due to the severity of the damage.

“The one time we need money to be spent to help Grand Bahama and Andros recover they say the money is in the bank. (Do) you think these people serious? And they say they care about people,” Mr Turnquest said.

“I had an opportunity to visit two of the schools in the Eight Mile Rock area. The teachers have had enough and so they staged a sit in.

“The government says they received $200,000 from one of the corporate investors in Grand Bahama specifically for two schools in Grand Bahama to effect repairs. Do you think anything happened yet? I’ve been in some of them classrooms and in the daytime they (are) looking at the sun and in the nighttime they (are) counting the stars. That is ridiculous.

“But I say to the government again I challenge them to please start the repairs. Our children are important and every day out of school is costing them their future (and) costing us, the country, its future.”

On Monday, the Martin Town Primary School was dismissed early when disgruntled teachers staged a sit-in at the school in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama, over the long delay over repairs following Hurricane Matthew.

The teachers and administrative staff are upset that work has not yet begun.

The 22 teachers and the administrative staff were supported by their respective unions. They complained that the condition of classrooms is unacceptable and not conducive for learning.

Two weeks ago, Mr Smith made a $200,000 donation at the Ministry for Grand Bahama to Mr Gibson.

At the time, Mr Smith said that $100,000 was to go towards school repairs at the Martin Town Primary, and the other $100,000 for repairs at the Eight Mile Rock High School.