Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister has admitted that construction needs to begin in Ragged Island.
However, the delay he said was because there had been challenges with design submissions.
This more than two years after Hurricane Irma devastated the small island in September 2017.
“It is quite appropriate for the member for Exuma (and Ragged Island Chester Cooper) to raise the issue of Ragged Island,” the Carmichael MP said Thursday during debate on the Disaster Preparedness and Response Amendment Bill 2019.
“Quite frankly, Ragged Island needs the reconstruction to start, and it will. The challenges have come from the submissions of designs, redesigns and re-redesigns.”
Before these remarks, he said the country had reached a point where national unity was required, adding it was regrettable that the opposition had made Hurricane Dorian a political issue.
“History will judge them harshly for that,” Mr Bannister told the House.
Earlier this week, Mr Cooper criticised the government for the lack of progress in one of his constituencies.
According to Mr Cooper, the Minnis administration has shown “blatant reckless neglect” in Ragged Island.
Their failure to act had led to mistrust of government from residents.
For this reason Mr Cooper said he was worried and left with heavy heart over the fate of Abaco and Grand Bahama residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.
Government essential services, a school, clinic or police station, among other things, are still absent there.
Given the continuous grim outlook on Ragged Island, its MP yesterday urged the government to extend to his constituency the same tax concessions that have been given to both Grand Bahama and Abaco, allowing residents to further rebuild.
At the same time, he urged the government to table a comprehensive report of the donations given for Ragged Island, noting "people are asking where the hurricane money gone."
Comments
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
What the fu%k does it matter than we're now into year 3 since minister made his first promise to begin rebuilding Ragged Island, yes, no....
Obviously the prime minister office's chief message writer Comrade Sister Erica has been fired, reassigned, resigned or sidetracked, yes, no ... 3 fu%king years and the crown minister Desmond has taken more twists and turns than a pretzel to excuse his not even shipping a single cement block to kick start the much promised rebuilding hurricane destroyed Ragged Island .... We'll maybe get Ragged Island in year 6 - You couldn't just make this substantive ministerial pretzel of procrastination up ....
birdiestrachan 5 years, 2 months ago
Banister you and doc made it political when you put Forbes smith in charge of distribution of hurricane relief packages. It does not get any more political than that.
You all showed be quite ashamed of the way you all treated Ragged Island providing you all had that kind of sense.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 2 months ago
Mr Banister the Bahamian people will judge the FNM cabinet and doc harshly.
When Kay Smith Forbes was put in charge of Hurricane relief it was made political.
You all should be ashamed providing you have enough sense to be ashamed of the way Ragged Island was treated . Then you lie. what ever problems there were should have been corrected by now.
BY the way how is the government house repairs coming along.??
The_Oracle 5 years, 2 months ago
If 3 years later Ragged Island reconstruction hasn't started, Abaco won't start cleanup for 10 years! What a pathetic bunch, completely lost except for photo ops, in which they look lost.
TheMadHatter 5 years, 2 months ago
Good point - except wrong. As early as 2 weeks ago tractors were busy cleaning up the Mudd and Peas areas. Priorities must be maintained and adhered to :-)
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Word from street corners are loud of major troubles behind cabinet walls, predicting that former DNA leader comrade Bran is heading back sit around cabinet's table, yes, no.... Four additional substantive ministers have rebelled to make life miserable for colony's prime minister.,,,, additionally, three members cabinet are now confirmed to be singled out be FIRED! .....
The_Oracle 5 years, 2 months ago
So in the midst of a disaster aftermath we will not only change out Defense force leadership, NEMA leadership, but Cabinet Ministers also? Not surprised but every time they switch out people it sets progress back a week!
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Ma comrade Oracle, to add PM's troubles - word has it that the PM was made reach his Pepto-Bismol after high profile ministers of finance and tourism exchanged some choice words to PM's face behind the cabinet walls, yes, no ....
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