By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
Abaco's main supermarket will re-open "within two weeks" with just over 40 percent of its pre-Dorian staff, as one of its principals said: "I've never seen devastation like that in my life."
Rupert Roberts, the Super Value chief, told Tribune Business that the category five storm had inflicted an estimated $10m worth of damage to wholesale and retail properties owned by himself and business partner, Chad Sawyer.
However, he revealed that Maxwell's Supermarket is in the process of being restocked in a bid to "be up and running" in around a fortnight after it was one of the few Marsh Harbour properties - besides the government complex and clinic - to emerge from Dorian relatively unscathed.
"If Maxwell's was wiped out we would have been wiped out," Mr Roberts told Tribune Business. "We've had building and property damage of at least $10m, I'd estimate, but Maxwell's had very little damage. We may have some roof damage, and may have lost ten solar panels, but there were two buildings in Marsh Harbour that stood up - the clinic and Maxwell's."
He added that Price Right and their wholesale operation had taken the brunt of Dorian's impact, but the focus was on reviving Maxwell's retail operation so that Abaco could have an organised food distribution point that will be a critical component in encouraging residents to return and start the rebuilding process.
"Last week we were stocking Maxwell's with stock room merchandise and items so that it will be up and running in two weeks," Mr Roberts revealed. "I think we're going to have about 60 or 70 of the 170 staff; we know that now. With the other 100, they have no where to live.
"It will be the only organised distributor of food, and people can't go back until there is food. Our concern was to get Maxwell's up and running to supply food to the island again, and then we'll look at other problems. When they get that under control and restocked we may start to let the public in and buy whatever is there. The public is not expecting a grand opening."
Mr Roberts confirmed that Commonwealth Bank was being given space in Maxwell's to help restore banking and financial services to Abaco, adding that "we wanted a pharmacy and a couple of other essential services" to also move in.
"Abaco is completely destroyed," the Super Value chief told Tribune Business. "I've never seen anything like that. I've never seen devastation like that in my life or on any hurricane in Abaco. The concern is how quickly we get this debris removed and what we do with it. We cannot do anything to contaminate the water supply.
He added that a partnership between the Government and private sector was critical to rebuilding Abaco, suggesting that the island will have to be "condemned" if it was left to the former alone.
"If it was up to the Government I would say no government of The Bahamas could do it. We'd have to condemn Abaco," Mr Roberts told Tribune Business. "But thousands of homeowners and merchants will do their own thing.
"In three months you'd be surprised at how far we could come back; the depths of the come back. With everyone working together, in a year a lot of the hurricane costs will be removed, and Abaco and Freeport will be productive economies.
"If we could get BPL up and running we could make speedy progress in Abaco because the people are determined, but we need power to do the work and live."
Comments
Economist 5 years, 2 months ago
Well done Mr. Roberts. Congratulations to you and your team.
johnd 5 years, 2 months ago
Please tell me how Abaconians are going to pay for this food - as 90% are now unemployed, homeless and are completely without funds. If it wasn't for the NGOs bringing in relief food and water, most people would have nothing to eat or drink. Any money people once had was used long ago to survive. And now you want us to buy food and fuel with what little we have left. Do you not understand that anyone living in Marsh Harbour has to have a generator to live and to keep it running you have to have fuel - which again costs money? So either Maxwell's knows something we don't know and power will be restored to Marsh Harbour in 2 weeks or they're living in a dream world thinking that those here will populate their store and buy their food.
WAKE UP!! WE ARE BROKE!!!
johnd 5 years, 2 months ago
check
islandgirl 5 years, 2 months ago
Mr. Roberts,
With all due respect,
Will you enlighten me as to how the people remaining in Abaco are going to pay for your groceries? I live here in Abaco and am very lucky to have survived. However, what little money I did have with me before the hurricane is being depleted very quickly buying fuel to operate my generator on a limited basis. The banks have all been destroyed , so no access to funds. Also, how are we to get to Maxwell's without fuel for transportation?
Thank God for the NGOs who brought as much relief as they did (through rough seas by small boats) because it has sustained many people . Now that the harbour has less debris, I hope the NGOs are able to step up their efforts as that is what is going to help the people of Abaco who have no money, no jobs and have lost all their worldly possessions.
I don't think you truly and fully understand the pulse on the ground here in Abaco.
The_Oracle 5 years, 2 months ago
Maybe he is preparing Maxwells to be seized fully stocked by the Nema/Defense force/ Minister and Ministry of Disaster. Ya'll better read the legislation they're ramming through the house.
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Why don't some you bloggers come right out say comrade Abacoians, would've been better off had comrade Rupert not scheduled the reopening within two weeks of his food store and had sent home the over 40 percent of its post Dorian staff - soon return back their paycheques, yes, no .... Can I get a comrade witness to such negativevastation on display by you bunch bloggers, never before seen in all my life. .... Some you bloggers does got some serious issues deal with ....
ohdrap4 5 years, 2 months ago
Someone has to start somewhere. The govt pace being too slow, yes the NGOs were the life savers, and continue to be. But it will not go on indefinitely.
Mr. Roberts is an elderly man who could be retired many times over. But he will employ some people, and they will help their family.
Others who can will come back to repair their homes and find a way.
John 5 years, 2 months ago
Recovery has to begin some where and Mr. Rupert Roberts should be applauded for the fact that he has the vision and fortitude to get the food business up and running. Yes it may be a fact that most persons left on Abaco are broke and unemployed, but Roberts is providing 40 jobs for people who were until now, also unemployed. And there will be workers coming on to the island who will need supplies and can now purchase them on Abaco rather than having to bring them in. Andrather than persons having to ship goods to Abaco to help with relief, they can now send money and the goods can be bought there. And even with the government assistance, the food vouchers can be given out and be used locally to buy supplies. This is how recovery begins. There may have been a perfect storm, but recovery has to start piece by piece, bit by bit. These stores may be months or even years before they are up and fully operational or before there is sufficient volume to realize a profit.
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