The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWO major businesses in Grand Bahama donated $300,000 to the government for hurricane relief efforts here on the island.

Hutchison Whampoa contributed $200,000 towards restoration of two schools severely damaged in West Grand Bahama, and the Freeport Oil Company Limited (FOCOL) contributed $100,000 to relief efforts.

Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson, who has been appointed to oversee Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts, accepted the cheques while in Grand Bahama on Wednesday. He commended the companies for their generous donations.

“The government and people of The Bahamas are thankful for your stepping up the plate,” he said. “We had a very productive day in Grand Bahama, and corporate Bahamas in general has responded very well to our needs. In Grand Bahama alone, we collected almost half a million dollars in donations.”

During presentation at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Godfrey Smith, CEO of Freeport Container Port, the airport and harbour companies, said that Hutchison’s managing director empathises with the people of Grand Bahama.

“He sends his regards to the people of Grand Bahama and he empathises with us and the troubles we been through with Hurricane Matthew. It was a (powerful) storm and we know that government’s purse is limited and we have a need to help,” Mr Smith said.

He noted that in addition to helping its staff directly, company officials saw the need to help the Martin Town Primary and the Eight Mile Rock (EMR) High Schools, which are pillars of the EMR community.

“We have taken the decision to present Martin Town Primary with a cheque for $100,000 toward their restoration and similarly $100,000 to the EMR High School towards its restoration. We see this as being good corporate citizens, and many of our staff and employees went to these schools and have children that go to those schools. And really we see this as a small token to help get the kids back to school in the best environment.”

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville thanked Hutchison Group of Companies for its donation, which he described as a “gift of love.”

Meanwhile, Mr Gibson visited the temporary accommodations that were created to accommodate students at the Martin Town Primary and EMR High School.

“It was an interesting experience for me today to visit the makeshift schools here on Grand Bahama,” he said. “My heart went out to the teachers and the kids because despite the conditions they find themselves in, they are still working through it as if it is another day at the office - it was very commendable. It was shocking to see there was no electricity. I have asked the director of NEMA to immediately provide a generator to each of the locations to bring them some sort of relief.”

He promised Hutchison that the monies would be spent for what it was donated for in Grand Bahama.

Mr Gibson, along with Captain Stephen Russell of NEMA, and Dr Darville later went to the Freeport Oil Company Ltd headquarters to accept another donation.

Russell Miller, a member of the board of directors of FOCOL, said the company has a long history of supporting national natural disasters over many years.

“Today is another step in that direction as we make this presentation to NEMA… of $100,000 in keeping with our tradition in the past. The island was severely affected, and FOCOL being a Grand Bahama company, we thought it only right and fitting to make this donation to help support the efforts in the restoration of Grand Bahama,” he said.

Mr Miller noted that his father, Sir Albert Miller, former chairman of FOCOL, had laid the groundwork for this over the years.

“It was after (Hurricanes) Frances and Jeanne that he, and President Anthony Robinson did a similar event where they donated $100,000 to the cause for restoration and rebuilding of the island. This is just in keeping with the tradition he established at the company and for all of us,” he said.

Mr Gibson said he is very pleased with the response received in Grand Bahama and said more presentations are forthcoming. He noted that some $1m has been collected in New Providence.