The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The government’s post-Dorian reconstruction ‘wish list’ sought almost $1bn in financing to address multiple housing, infrastructure and public services needs extending beyond Abaco and Grand Bahama.

Carlos Palacious, managing principle of BRON Ltd, a subsidiary of Caribbean Coastal Services, unveiled the ambitious funding needs list prior to donor pledges made at Monday’s conference. His presentation pegged the total sum sought at $910.805m, which was exceeded by the $1.5bn in forthcoming pledges - provided they all materialise.

“They were prepared by the government through the ministry of disaster preparedness, management and reconstruction, with all of the supporting government agencies involved and impacted by the disaster having given their impact assessments to the ministry for it to be compiled,” Mr Palacious explained. “They then asked me to present the government’s findings at today’s conference.”

The government estimates that debris removal and re-engineering in Abaco, inclusive of the demolition of unsafe structures, clearance and removal, will cost $3m, with remaining debris clearance projected to be $50m. The rehabilitation of the Snake Cay dumpsite requires a further $1.5m.

Marine and debris removal from Grand Bahama and Abaco’s waterways has been forecast at $40m, with the final projection pending an environmental assessment. The government is also seeking to invest $21m in micro-grid technology and a $20m waste-to-power gasification plant set at $20m. The total amount required for debris removal and environmental re-engineering is set at $155.5m.

In healthcare, Mr Palacious said the government wants to rebuild Freeport’s Rand Memorial Hospital for a total investment of between $90m to $120m. It also wants to build a new hospital for New Providence, which will require between $300m to $500m, and spend $50m to construct and repurpose Abaco’s clinics.

As for education, Mr Palacious said the government wants to invest $2.2m to restore and retrofit pre-primary and primary schools. Another $5.965m is needed to restore and retrofit junior and senior secondary schools, while the construction of a pre-primary and primary school is estimated at $5.1, and the construction of a secondary school at $5.85m

The government also wishes to implement an educational and information management system valued at $450,000, along with instructional material and supplies for students and teachers costing $2.85m. The total education ‘wish list’ came to $22.145m

For micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMES), the government was targeting $43m for grants, equity financing and loan guarantees to help storm-hit businesses get back on their feet.

Some $5m was eyed for restoring terrestrial and marine habitats, and particularly coral reefs, in Abaco. A national reforestation initiative was pegged at $2.5m, while “a forest industry economic stimulus” will cost a further $2m.

The government also wanted to invest in managing and monitoring forest ecosystems, and climate change impacts, for which the bill would be $5m.

For transport and related infrastructure projects, the government prioritised the $6m replacement of the Little Abaco bridge, as well as the construction of the Bayshore Road in Marsh Harbour complete with seawall for estimated $1.5m.

In Grand Bahama, the repair and restoration of the Fishing Hole Road will cost $2.1m, with seawall repair and new construction adding $24m to the total $32.71m bill.

As for housing repairs and construction, the government sought $50m. A sustainable housing development project in Abaco was pegged at $40m, with the government to contribute some 120 acres of crown land valued at $20,000 per acre for approximately $2.4m.

Mr Palacious said private sector involvement would require a $21m investment in each subdivision.

He said the government’s long-term disaster recovery strategy would include the $750,000 retrofitting and “building back better” of public infrastructure, and $16.875m for the enhancement and implementation of sustainable community recovery.