The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WITH the 2017 hurricane season opening on Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis noted yesterday that there are still homes in a state of disrepair following 2016's Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Joaquin in 2015.

This is despite a hefty loan in the millions for hurricane repairs under the Christie administration.

Last October, the former administration moved a resolution in Parliament for a loan of up to $150m to defray the costs of this country's recovery and reconstruction efforts for both hurricanes.

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie at the time said that the damage caused by Matthew was estimated at $600m, while Joaquin imposed costs estimated at around $200m. The combined total of $800m as a result of both storms, Mr Christie said, came to 40 per cent of the national budget or nine per cent of GDP.

But with the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30 and homes still not repaired, Dr Minnis reiterated that forensic audits will be conducted with a view to discovering how the loan money was spent.

He further requested from officials a list of homes still needing repair, noting that the new housing programme had not started since Matthew touched down on Bahamian soil last year.

"We're looking at doing forensic audits in various different areas. Hurricane relief is one of them. We'll look at areas like National Insurance," Dr Minnis said in response to a question from the media following a tour and briefing at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

"Well, I don't want to call them. If I state what they are, then they might start to hide stuff," the prime minister continued.

Asked when an audit of NEMA would begin, Dr Minnis said: "As soon as possible. I can't give you date. All I know is, I want all of the information locked down so I can't give you too much information. If I give you too much information then those who are guilty might start to hide information and I want to expose everything so that the Bahamian people would know."

During a brief address to NEMA officials and those representing more than 40 government and quasi-government agencies, Dr Minnis urged the group not to let their guard down. He also called on officials to improve the way they communicate once the season opens.

He said: "Although all indicators suggest that the 2017 hurricane season should be a moderate one, I remind you to adhere to the core duties of your agencies.

"I wish to advise you to place special emphasis on the following: improve your messaging.

"Make use of all media tools to disseminate information in preparation of an unexpected storm. That is radio, television, Facebook, Twitter, billboards, etc, and I emphasise the importance of social media, which will allow you to connect directly and immediately with Bahamians and residents throughout the country, not only here in The Bahamas, but outside of our shores.

"Reactivate your hurricane committees in all Family Island districts. You may wish to consider hurricane subcommittees by districts or zones in both New Providence and Grand Bahama. Reactivate your inter-agency committees in order to ensure proper coordination. And you must ensure that you have the tools and equipment to act in the event of an emergency. And I refer to hand held radios, communication sets, standby generators, emergency vehicles and personnel and you must review all evacuation plans.

"Co-ordinate with relevant government agencies. For example, a well-coordinated and aggressive tree-trimming programme should be carried out. Review hurricane preparation plans with utility programmes and essential quasi-government agencies such as Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), BTC and, of course, Water and Sewerage.

"As part of your inter-agency meetings, you should, along with relevant government agencies and or partners clear water drains so that we can have less flooding.

"Inventories should be carried out with respect to emergency building supplies.

"Hold community meetings to apprise residents of your plans. The people want to hear from you. A plan on paper without action is useless. There has to be greater collaboration between you and the community," Dr Minnis continued.

"I encourage you to continue and complete all repairs which are in progress. Please bring all such projects to completion before you commence new ones.

"I wish for you to provide the Office of the Prime Minister a report of the remaining houses to be repaired post Hurricane Matthew. I am aware that you have not commenced your new housing programme since Matthew and I would hope you can start to rebuild homes shortly as I understand a number of people are without homes. We have much work to do and must redouble our efforts in the shortest period of time to bring relief and comfort to those who are hurting," Dr Minnis said.

"A lot of homes are still not repaired. As you drive around you will see many houses still have tarps yet the hurricane season is approaching. Even my own home has not yet been repaired. Every time it rains I'm still swimming but I hope to have that repaired very, very soon," he said.

Hurricane season

Director of Meteorology Trevor Basden said The Bahamas will need to be ready for the hurricane season, as the international agencies, on which officials rely for hurricane predictions, have given conflicting forecasts.

"Colorado State University, where we usually get predictions from, they are going for a slightly below average season, 11 named storms of which four (are) supposed to develop into hurricanes and of the four, two into major hurricanes.

"However NOAA, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration whom we also get predictions from, they are the true forerunners in predictions for the hurricane season. NOAA is going for 11 to 17 named storms of which five to nine may develop into hurricanes and of the five to nine, two to four into major hurricanes. So therefore NOAA is going for an above season while Colorado State University is going for slightly below.

"So we can see now that even the experts are in disagreement and, therefore, this is one of the reasons why we say prepare no matter what."

Asked his prediction on how many of these storms could affect the country, Mr Basden said: "They are expecting more of the tropical cyclones meaning storms to affect the southeastern coast of the United States so therefore the track usually has them passing through us.

"But again, no matter what, just one event as we had with Joaquin in 2015 and Matthew in 2016, just one can be so devastating. So whether we get just one, we are hoping through the grace of God that none arrive," Mr Basden said.