The Tribune

MAJOR construction is set to begin “imminently” on the Abaco Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre, according to Disaster Reconstruction Authority chairman Alex Storr.

During remarks to those attending the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Week 2022, Mr Storr said that under his leadership the project has been revamped and relaunched completely.

The foundational footprint has also had to be reassessed and a decision made to raise the foundation to mitigate major flooding.

Despite this, Mr Storr said the project will remain within its current budget of $2m.

“One of the projects that we met stalled was the Abaco Hurricane Shelter and Community Centre,” Mr Storr told people attending the conference.

“We have since revamped and relaunched the project completely. We have made several amendments to the footprint of the shelter, which includes making the Centre accessible to residents who have disabilities. We have added a Porte-cochere to allow for a sheltered entrance into the centre.

“Further, based on the reassessment of the foundational footprint the foundation will be raised to mitigate major flooding. All this while remaining within the current budget of $2 million. Major construction will begin on the site imminently.”

He continued: “We intend to replicate this as the model for state-owned shelters throughout the Bahamas. We are developing the project plan to build at least 4 purpose-built shelters by 2024, on Cat Island, San Salvador, Grand Bahama, Long Island, Exuma and Eleuthera. “This purpose-built shelter project is one of the biggest items that we need your support in finding donors and partners for.”

Mr Storr also doubled down on his criticisms of how the authority was run under the former Minnis administration.

He said over the past year officials have worked to correct the DRA’s issues.

“Since my official appointment as chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority in November 2021, my executive team and I have worked diligently to understand the various projects, successes, and failures of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority.

“One of the first things I sought to do was to gain insight into the many projects - legacy and current projects that are pending completion.

“What was clear is the Disaster Reconstruction Authority while a good thought and idea by the former administration appeared to have been grossly mismanaged. From the current internal structure, the way contracts were negotiated, the apparent conflicts of interest, and the lack of compliance and management of every project.

“We are quickly approaching one year after taking the helm of the DRA, and I am proud to say that my team and I are making steady progress. Many stated that the presence of the DRA in disaster zones could not be felt. I don’t want to focus heavily on the past, save to say that internally we had to fix the processes, organisational structure and culture and quite frankly exit bad deals that handicapped our work.”

Back in February, Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder said it was “shameful” that there remained duties unfulfilled in storm ravaged Abaco while the former managing director of the DRA took home an “extravagant” salary.

Details of former DRA managing director Katherine Forbes-Smith’s salary came to light when she filed a lawsuit against the government for allegedly breaching her contract after her termination from the role last year.

According to a writ filed in the Supreme Court in December, Mrs Forbes-Smith is suing the DRA for $408,333.16 for that contract breach along with other allowances.

Mr Pinder, who is also Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, said people continue to suffer in Abaco and Grand Bahama despite the disaster of Hurricane Dorian occurring more than two years ago.