The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE illegal and improper dumping of derelict vehicles, particularly in Freeport following the passing of Hurricane Dorian, is causing concern for city officials who have now identified a designated plot of land for their disposal.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited, which manages the Freeport area, has secured land in the civic industrial area for storage of derelict vehicles until the borders are reopened to transport them to US for crushing.

In the meantime, GBPA officials are calling for “illegal automotive operators” to stop their improper disposal of derelict vehicles in areas not zoned for dumping.

“We want to send a clarion call to illegal operators to cease and desist,” warned Nakira Wilchcombe, director of building and development services and chairperson of the GBPA’s Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee.

According to officials, vehicles are being disposed of on verges in the civic industrial/commercial area, and in residential areas, such as Queen’s Cove.

Last September, thousands of vehicles were destroyed as a result of flooding during Hurricane Dorian. Disposal of those vehicles has been a huge challenge, with the lack of a proper disposal facility on the island and due to the closing of borders since the COVID-19 shutdown, officials reported.

In a statement issued, GBPA said it is partnering with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Department of Environmental Health “to bring resolve to the dangerous and unsightly problem of dumping derelict vehicles in and around residential and commercial areas and on verges.”

The company noted that since the storm many vehicles still remain on private property or in public areas on verges, and that some residents have hired tow truck drivers to remove and discard their vehicles.

“Disposal of the vehicles presents a challenge as, to date, residents have not had a facility for them, and the borders of the country have been closed during the emergency order. In addition, licensees in this category of service are few,” it said.

GBPA President Ian Rolle said: “To bring immediate resolve to this matter, we have identified and designated a plot of land to store vehicles.”

Troy McIntosh, deputy director of building and development services, said company representatives were able to secure “appropriate space” in the civic industrial area to “safely store derelict vehicles from around the island.”

“We will be working with licensed automotive tow truck companies to arrange the coordinated delivery on behalf of the owners. The vehicles will be stored at the site until such time as the island’s borders open to allow their transport to a facility in the United States for crushing,” he said.

Mrs Wilchcombe reported that they have received numerous complaints from residents in Freeport about the improper discarding of vehicles at illegal automotive operations in residential areas. She urged people in this category to come into compliance and obtain a license to conduct business in an area zoned for this type of operation.

“Our customer relations team and commercial department can guide interested persons with setting up proper operations, among other things,” she said.