The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE nation’s leader said he was going to sign exigency orders yesterday to allow Bahamians to import duty-free items for storm relief as thousands of residents from the southern and central islands focus on rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Joaquin.

Mr Christie has also said his administration will have to borrow money for the relief and rebuilding efforts. He has estimated the price tag to rebuild Acklins, Crooked Island, San Salvador, Long Island and Rum Cay will cost tens of millions of dollars.

“We will return to the field where ministers will be deployed to continue to be able to see for themselves what is happening, talk to people out there, and have feel for the urgency of the moment so that when NEMA provides their full assessments to us, we are able to inform public policy and make those determinations that will be required and to really make the decisions to spend the money, obviously some of which will have to be borrowed,” Mr Christie said at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday morning.

Later, during yesterday’s House of Assembly session, Mr Christie said it was the view of the government to waive certain fees to assist those affected, making the journey to piece their lives together easier.

“The Declaration of Exigency is issued whereby persons in the affected areas can begin to rebuild their lives,” Mr Christie said.

“In fact, Mr Speaker, I will sign the Exigency Order to allow Bahamians to import duty-free essential items. Coupled with the waiver of related landing fees, certain departure taxes and custom processing fees, these fiscal measures will aid in making our Bahamian brothers and sisters stronger.”

Meanwhile during his communication, opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis said the Free National Movement pledged firm and unwavering commitment to work with the government and respective stakeholders to ensure the affected islands return to normalcy as soon as possible.

Dr Minnis said he was told that the definition of “Joaquin” had significance in that it means “God will judge”.

“Mr Speaker that is very significant considering how divided a nation we were becoming,” Dr Minnis said. “And a nation becoming adrift, so God certainly will judge, Mr Speaker, to see whether or not we have learned anything and whether this hurricane has brought us together. So it is significant that it means God will judge.”

“Looking and remembering the devastation I have seen throughout our travels the devastation done by Joaquin, Mr Speaker, one has to wonder if God was not sending us a message for such a hurricane, Joaquin, with the definition of God will judge. Mr Speaker, that is very significant to me, with a meaning God will judge.”

The category four storm moved slowly, churning through the central and southern Bahamas last Thursday and Friday.

However, effects from the hurricane were felt as early Wednesday night in some areas. Joaquin brought storm surges, torrential rain and winds of more than 100 miles per hour. The storm ripped off roofs, knocked down walls, destroyed buildings and uprooted utility poles.