The Tribune

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday accused the National Emergency Management Agency of giving “preferential treatment” to Progressive Liberal Party supporters and leaving everyone else “out in the cold” in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Speaking with The Tribune after completing a walkabout in Lowe Sound, Andros, Dr Minnis said residents claimed that NEMA is only buying food and supplies from stores where the owners support the government.

He also said that there are no construction supplies in Andros and residents are “anxious” to begin repairs on their homes.

North Andros was one of the islands hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew earlier this month. The island suffered severe flooding, damage to nearly 100 homes while 35 others were destroyed.

“My team and I came down to Andros to see the progress and to ensure that there is fairness in terms of distribution,” Dr Minnis said. “You know we have a huge concern with transparency and honesty with this government.

“There are still no construction supplies and that is causing concern because the residents want to begin repair work but NEMA has not provided them with any supplies. Residents also complained that there is a food shortage on the island and NEMA has been purchasing food from local stores but only from PLPs. We will not tolerate this and we in the (Official) Opposition will push for fair play and accountability. I will be speaking with NEMA when I return.”

Dr Minnis also said it is a shame that three weeks after the storm, Lowe Sound is still without power and the one Bahamas Power and Light bucket truck that is on the island, is leaving on Monday.

“In spite of what Bahamas Power and Light said there is no light here,” he added. “They are getting assistance from individuals from Dominica, but there is only one bucket truck. So there is work to do but only a little can be done with only one truck,” Dr Minnis said.

“And I am being told that the truck is leaving today and being sent back to Eleuthera, but the work is not completed. They need two or three more days to complete the work and this needs to be done. I urge BPL if they are concerned with the quality of life, not only in New Providence, to provide the facilities necessary to get the work completed.”

Days after the storm, Dr Minnis said the government’s Hurricane Matthew recovery and restoration efforts would involve cronyism and victimisation.

“We know the PLP has a history of cronyism, a history of dishonesty and a history of corruption and a history of victimisation,” he said at the time. “I am not really listening to what they say about transparency and how they are going to not look at the political landscape. An election is coming. If they have demonstrated overt victimisation and cronyism immediately after the last election, God help what they can do with the coming election just to ensure they have the advantage to win.”