Conditions on Ragged Island in 2017 after Hurricane Irma.
By Rashad Rolle
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
NEARLY two years after Hurricane Irma devastated Ragged Island, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis outlined plans last night for an $8 million investment in rebuilding key public infrastructure on the island.
He also said candidates have been shortlisted to participate in a request for proposals process for a solar generation facility on the island, with the RFP expected to be published soon and the facility completed by year’s end.
He was speaking during his third national address of the year, one focused on the environment.
In September 2017, Dr Minnis promised to transform Ragged Island into the “first fully green island in the region”.
That month he said in the House of Assembly: “Out of the devastation and the destruction, a new Ragged Island will emerge, including stronger building codes, improved zoning, and strategies to mitigate against climate change and rising sea levels.”
However, as months passed, little transformation took place and critics deemed his promise hollow. Last night, Dr Minnis said a school and teacher’s duplex will be constructed on the island at a cost of $2 million, a new clinic at $2.5 million, an administrator’s office, post office and court room at $2.5 million and a police station and accommodations for officers for $1 million.
Without being specific, he said negotiations are ongoing “for what may be a major economic development at Mayaguana, our easternmost island.”
Dr Minnis, for the second time this month, also foreshadowed new land policies.
“We are restructuring the application process for Crown land,” he said. “We will reduce the number of months to attain land leases or Crown grants. Land reform is not an easy or quick fix. But we intend to ensure that many more Bahamians have access to Crown land. Essential to the development of the Family Islands is the grant of Crown land to Bahamians for lodges and boutique properties, for agriculture, for second home development and for other purposes.”
During a rally earlier this month, Dr Minnis pledged to give Bahamians unprecedented access to Crown land, saying the policies will be revealed during the upcoming budget exercise.
Comments
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
That should shut up Cooper now ........ at least the FNM has a sensible plan
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
It took them two years to come up with a plan they saw. How long will it be before it is a reality?
Mr: Cooper has a right to speak providing it is still a free country?
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
The PLP left behind $300 million of bills ....... many from the hurricanes. Birdie, please have nothing to say on this matter.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
It is still a free Country. do you remember the FNM ;left l00 million over run on road works. Governments are continuous and bills will always be left behind.
And I call you Friend. and I love you as a fellow Bahamian. The Bahamas is all we have.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
doc cared more about Dominica than he cared about Ragged Island. Remember how he wept and mourn about Dominica and not a tear shed for Ragged Island or the young boy who had lost his life.
And the consummate actor Parker Edgecombe was front and center. distraught,
DWW 5 years, 6 months ago
$8,000,000 for island with 25 people eh? sure why not.
DWW 5 years, 6 months ago
$320,000 per person. meanwhile Marsh Harbour police station is basically derelict. Hope Town's post office/police station/council office has just been condemned with no plan to deal with it. Nassau schools are overburdened. but yes we need to make sure Ragged Island gets $8,000,000 in government buildings. yay, such good governance.
TigerB 5 years, 6 months ago
I heard Cooper rambling on, so look at it in a different perspective. IF your house was hit by a tornado and is has been deemed to be uninhabitable and you say you not leaving. It has no roof, doors, you had no insurance to rebuild... but you stay anyway in my mind it's your fault. Cooper is doing he political ting...but he has to remember no matter what the government does, Exuma, and Ragged Island still is PLP country. he not gaining any extra votes. I don't think putting those plans in place will change them to FNM. The last census the population in 2010 was 72, not sure that amount is there now...and here it is they will spend 8 million, them few ppl should be glad. That is a start.
stillwaters 5 years, 6 months ago
I guess there will now be a stampede of anybody remotely related to Ragged Island families to get back to this island and try to collect.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
Or bid on contracts????? ......... It was already stated publicly that Ragged Island suffered catastrophic hurricane damage because their pre-Irma buildings were not built to the Bahamian building code .......... So, no one there is qualified to bid on these new contracts.
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