The Tribune

A GOVERNMENT trip to assess the impact of Hurricane Sandy on Abaco has revealed some “serious health issues.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie and members of the Advisory Committee travelled to Abaco yesterday to assess the damage caused by hurricane Sandy.

Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, Captain Stephen Russell the team had three major concerns that need to be addressed immediately.

“When we went to Crown Haven in the north, the first thing we noticed was several large fishing vessels that were uprooted and tossed in the bushes. We were concerned about the livelihood of the captain and the crew because we know they depend on the vessels to earn a living,” he said.

“A number of docks were also totally destroyed. In particular, a dock on Fox Town which is a fishing community. The dock was the hub of the town and now the government’s main concern is how to get it back up and running. The Prime Minister’s main concern is to get them some assistance as soon as possible.”

Captain Russell said the team also visited a shanty migrant town called Sand Bank in Treasure Cay that presented serious health issues.

“There was still a significant amount of water settled on the ground,” he said. “Health officials are concerned that the water will be a breeding ground for disease. There were elderly persons and children playing in the sloppy water. We also went to the Mud and other Haitian communities and we found the same flooding problem.”

Captain Russell said the next step for the government is to send a team from the Ministry of Works to assess the damage and come up with figures.

He said after an estimate of the damage is complete the government will find a way to get the funds and assist.

The team is scheduled to tour Eleuthera today.