By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Potter’s Cay Dock Produce Exchange is being temporarily relocated as part of a $20,000 refurbishment designed to alleviate health concerns that have existed since Hurricane Matthew.

The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) confirmed that the facility is being moved to its Soldier Road headquarters while upgrades to the Potter’s Cay Fish-farm building are completed.

Senior executives admitted that the Produce Exchange has been in disrepair since Hurricane Matthew struck New Providence in October 2016, and has since become “infested” with mould. This, in turn, has created health concerns for employees and the safety of farm produce.

Bishop Gregory Collie, pictured, BAIC’s chairman, said: “If you have been going out to the produce exchange, you would see that our staff and patrons were subjected to serving the customers - and customers were also buying produce - on the porch.

‘Since Hurricane Matthew the building, which was destroyed by the hurricane, remained leaking whereby mould and other dangerous conditions were allowed to exist.”

He added: “The area where the fish farm store used to be housed, we have taken a decision to go back into that facility to have it properly repaired and furnished, so that we will have a modern, clean and air conditioned environment to which patrons can come in and purchase their produce in an atmosphere that is conducive.

“Also, our staff will be able to work in a clean environment not detrimental to their health.So we have planned to renovate that section of Potter’s Cay where the fish-farm used to be housed within the next 60 to 90 days.

“We have our target date at the end of March to have it fully renovated and refurbished, so as to open for the public, and we can continue to sell the produce to help the farmers on the Family Islands.”

The cost of repairing the Fish-farm location at the Potter’s Cay Dock is pegged at $20,000.