The Tribune

ON MONDAY, as Hurricane Irma swirled in the Atlantic gathering strength on what appears to be a direct path for the southeastern Bahamas, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and officials from various ministries and departments held a press conference at Police Headquarters. The purpose of the press conference was ostensibly to advise individuals how to prepare for the oncoming storm and to persuade the same public that government was doing all it needed to do and could do to protect life and property.

There was another purpose for the press conference. With an overwhelming gathering and show of high-ranking officials from every nook and cranny of the public sector, government wanted to send a clear message that it was not going to be caught with its pants down this time as the former government was in Hurricane Joaquin two years ago.

While we heard one official after another at the press conference discuss plans, most of which sounded thorough, what we did not see on the streets is what we had expected to see.

Where were the BPL bucket trucks that should have been clearing tree branches from power lines? We traversed the island, from Gambier to Adelaide, Albany to Sea Breeze over the past few days, from the time that Irma first became a threat, and there was a complete absence of physical preparation by BPL.

How much more is the Bahamian public supposed to accept from this company that cannot keep power on during calm and tranquil days and is making no show of stepping it up for a hurricane that is barreling towards us with winds and rain that will certainly down power lines? How much more are we supposed to take from a company that must know inaction will wreak far worse havoc because heavy tree branches are overhanging power lines throughout the island of New Providence? BPL must fire up its trucks and clear away branches fast, even if it means engaging other companies that have the equipment and manpower to assist.

The press conference reflected an appropriate, even impressive, sense of urgency. It is good that there are command centres set up on various islands and the Ministry of Health has its plans in place as do Tourism and Environmental Health.

It is acceptable that Police promise to prosecute anyone who attempts price gouging or, following the storm, is found breaking the law, including looting. We commend the Royal Bahamas Defence Force which said 150 people were engaged, another 100 persons ready to go, ships positioned to serve as relief centres and they are taking responsibility for managing shelters throughout New Providence. It appears that the Defence Force has emerged as the prime model for hurricane preparedness, assistance, rescue and recovery with its ships ready to set up in affected locations, making and storing water, providing medical care and serving as the floating centres of sustenance for those impacted by the storm. Its mobile base city can produce up to 33,000 gallons of water a day. Its landing craft was in Inagua Monday offloading supplies donated by the American government to NEMA’s newly constructed warehouse. We wish the Defence Force were in charge of the distribution. But the information it presented and has presented before are the straightforward facts we need to know.

Nassau as a whole responded differently to the threat of the storm. We saw people and businesses preparing farther in advance than we have ever seen even though Irma was expected to graze New Providence, saving her most powerful blow for the southern Bahamas. Cash registers were ringing as plywood, nails, tuna, canned goods and batteries flew off the shelves and cars filled up with fuel. The traffic on the road was reminiscent of last minute holiday shopping. Long lines formed at water depots.

Our hearts go out to those in the southern Bahamas, many of whom are still reeling and recovering from Hurricane Joaquin. We do not know how they will find the strength to bear the brunt of another brutal storm. Rebuilding the church in Acklins, a labour of love, is still ongoing nearly two years later as the Bahamas Hurricane Restoration Fund works to transform the structure into a beautiful community centre with historic architectural integrity and contemporary amenities that make it useful as a shelter as well as a place to worship. In Crooked Island, of the houses that are left, several still have tarpaulins for roofs. Rebuild Bahamas, the recovery effort between the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation and Rotary, and the Restoration Fund continue to work in the area.

The wrath of a storm makes news and fades as other news replaces it, leaving those impacted to struggle as they rebuild their lives. While we pray for our brothers and sisters in the southern Bahamas, again we ask: Where are the BPL bucket trucks that should be clearing New Providence to keep the damage from high winds to a minimum? We wait with baited breath for the day Minister of Works Desmond Bannister lays bare the management contract with PowerSecure and the mysterious business plan that the Bahamian people paid for that to date has remained a secret.

As we await the storm, we issue one last plea to BPL, please, tackle the job at hand. There are people in Adelaide who still do not have power, 11 months after Hurricane Matthew. Much rests on your shoulders and nothing will demonstrate your lack of love for The Bahamas more than your actions that so far tell us you think it is business as usual when it is anything but. The cost and unreliability of consistent energy is the second greatest obstacle to doing business in The Bahamas. This is one chance for BPL to show its stuff if it actually wants to remain in The Bahamas post-Irma. If not, the Bahamian people will very likely support a government that says: “Enough is enough and we are just not going to take it anymore.” The days ahead may be stormy for the country but they will be even stormier for the management contract for the company called BPL if it fails to perform in an emergency.

• EDITOR’S NOTE:

The Tribune received a statement from BPL yesterday in which the company says it has initiated its emergency response plan and had started its tree trimming exercise earlier in the year. Our eyes reveal that if there was indeed a plan it fell far short of what it should have been. We saw heavy tree branches overhanging power lines throughout New Providence. Further, The Tribune confirmed that the tree trimming is the responsibility of BPL and not the Ministry of Works. If this is a wake-up call, we hope it serves the purpose and that BPL will quickly call in all assistance to minimise damage and widespread loss of power. (Click HERE for BPL statement).