The Tribune

The prime minister has emphasised to the private sector that “red tape” needs to be removed so that the rebuilding process on Abaco and Grand Bahama proceeds as quickly as possible.

Dr Hubert Minnis was speaking at a meeting with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) where the rebuilding of islands affected by Hurricane Dorian was discussed.

Jeffrey Beckles, the chamber’s chief executive, assured the prime minister of its commitment to work with the government to rebuild the devastated areas of Abaco and Grand Bahama.

Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, informed the Prime Minister that close to 200 Abaco business owners attended a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the rebuilding effort.

He added that all were committed and eager to return to the island to begin the rebuilding process.

Pictured from left: Hubert Edwards, Chamber treasurer; Jeffrey Beckles, Chamber chief executive; Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, chamber chairperson; Dr Minnis; Kenneth Hutton, president, Abaco Chamber of Commerce; Nicole Campbell, permanent secretary, co-chair of the Disaster Relief and Recovery Committee; John Michael Clarke, co-chair of the Disaster Relief and Recovery Committee; and Captain Stephen Russell, director, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

PHOTO: Yontalay Bowe