The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

ANYONE who needs sand to help protect their assets from floods can get it for free from James Edgar Curling, a Bahamian businessman who hopes to help his fellow citizens throughout the rainy hurricane season.

Mr Curling has already delivered piles of sand to Mount Tabor Full Baptist Church and the South Beach Police Station.

He is the owner of Tycoon Management Company Ltd, an Arawak Cay-based organisation specialising in sand mining, and he is eager to deliver more sand to those that need it.

“I’m not only giving sand to persons in Pinewood, but in the Eastern area as well,” he told The Tribune yesterday, adding: “I’m placing the sand in areas like the Police Station and churches so people could go to them and fill their bags with it.

“They could put the sand in front of their doors in order to prevent the water from coming into their houses.”

Mr Curling said he won’t stop donating sand anytime soon and plans to donate it throughout the hurricane season despite the cost to his company.

“We would’ve placed about $10,000 worth of material so far,” he said, adding: “Throughout the hurricane season we anticipate placing about $50,000 worth of material.

“If any government official wants me to donate sand for them, I would do so. Any place that wants sand, I’m waiting on that call.”

Mr Curling said although he hasn’t directly been affected by floods, he knows people who have.

“I’ve seen the waters rise and know that this isn’t a way of life for us as Bahamians so I want to give back. I’ve not been affected by the flooding but I have family members who would’ve been affected.

“I’m not going to wait until the floods come again. I will maintain this action throughout the hurricane season.

“I spoke to (Minister) Khaalis Rolle. He said he endorsed what I am doing and is very grateful to me for it.

“This is something I’m doing out of the goodness of my heart. No one asked me to do it. I just thought about giving back and assisting people in low-lying areas.”