Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs



	Government of The Bahamas Post Hurricane Frances Ministerial Visit to Ragged Island and Exuma, Bahamas Two Government of The Bahamas Cabinet Ministers visited Ragged Island, Bahamas, and Exuma, Bahamas, on 10 August 2004, to conduct a post hurricane Frances assessment. During the one day visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Fred Mitchell and the Minister of Trade and Industry, The Hon. Leslie Miller, met with residents and community leaders on both Islands to determine the impact of hurricane Frances on local communities. The visit was also consistent with the Bahamas Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the Island communities as well as responding to local community needs following the passage of hurricane Frances. In summary, both of the visited islands were minimally impacted by hurricane Frances. In Ragged Island, residents expressed that there were no damages to the Island as a result of the hurricane. In contrast, the Island of Exuma sustained small scale and localized damage to mainly farms, homes (roof tops), and a single Government Building (the Mount Thompson Agricultural Produce Packing House). Specific key points from the visit to each of the two Islands are provided below. I. Ragged Island Approximately 22 residents attended a town meeting with Ministers Mitchell and Miller to discuss impacts from hurricane Frances. Given that there were no hurricane impacts on the island, the meet focused on community-wide concerns, needs, and priorities. These priorities included: Immediate Need for Safe and Reliable Freshwater. Most of the fresh drinking water at Ragged Island is delivered to the Island via the mail boat, once weekly. Existing on-island supplies of water is plagued by a high salt content and often colored by rust build-up in delivery pipes. Wells sunk to deliver freshwater is only of a slightly better quality. The lack of freshwater was therefore viewed as having a negative impact on the quality of life on the island. Residents expressed that the current water delivery pipe system was very old and that they had never had a pipe delivery system that brought water directly to their homes. In response, Minister Miller pointed out that the Ministry of Works is aware of the water situation at Ragged Island and had already placed an order for a reverse osmosis facility for the island. Engineers from the Ministry were also expected to visit the Island in the near future to determine and implement a satisfactory and cost effective water delivery system for the Island. Proper Mail Boat Access to the Island and Docking Facilities During the once weekly mail boat visit to the Island, the mail boat typically anchors approximately 3-4 miles from the mainland. Small boats are then used to ferry people and supplies between the docks and the mail boat, often proving hazardous during inclement weather. Minister Miller expressed that there were contrasting views on the solution to the mail boat access to the Island and docking facilities. One view held that the old existing channel which provided mail boat access to the island should be re-dredged to provide the mail boat direct access the dock at Duncan Town. Another view held that a new docking facility should be established at a location with sufficiently deep waters that would allow the mail boat to directly dock at a location on the island. Given that funds were available to address the overall mail boat access situation, Minister Miller pointed out that engineers from the Ministry of Works would be engaged to work with Island residents to provide the optimal solution. Residents expressed that such a solution would be critical to ‘opening’ up the Island to significant economic opportunities. Clinic The water situation outlined above is particularly problematic for the clinic. Further, the clinic is in critical need of air conditioning in order to regulate temperatures for medicine storage and preservation. School House Renovations The sole existing school on the Island caters to grades one through nine, employs two teachers, and services approximately fourteen students. Of the two buildings comprising the school facilities, one building is in dire need of repairs and preferably should be torn down and replaced. Residents expressed the need for a secondary school which they believe will significantly contribute to the retention of students and future residents on the Island. The planned compute lab at the school is not yet operational due to the absence of the required electrical needs (wiring, voltage, etc.). Once these measures can be addressed, the school is expected to receive five computers from the Ministry of Education to constitute their computer lab. The construction of a playground with amenities (e.g., slides for small kids) and the resurfacing of the basketball court was also identified as a need. Other General Concerns In Ragged Island Road Works Some general repairs needed in some areas. The last major road repairs were conducted approximately six years ago; however, the quality of that work was insufficient to maintain the roads in good conditions. Policing/Security The stationing of two Royal Bahamas Police Officers on the Island was deemed appropriate for the current Island population. Crime issues were mostly non-existent. However, the police station is in need of minor repairs and air conditioning. In particular, the officers are in need of a vehicle (jeep or truck) and communication equipment (e.g., VHF radios) to allow them to more effectively execute their duties. Gasoline Availability Gasoline is currently delivered to the Island in 55 Gallon drums via the mail boat. There is need for a small station on the island and residents expressed that a licensing application for such a station had already been submitted to the relevant Government authorities. Transportation Mail boat services provide the most often utilized mode of transportation in and out of the Island. An arranged airline connection with George Town, Exuma is desirable, although it was recognized that the Government of The Bahamas ay be required to subsidize such a service. Housing The construction of approximately twenty low-cost Government homes was expressed as a critical need to a) improving the quality of current housing conditions on the island, b) attracting immigrated residents back to the island, and c) allowing for future population growth. Communications There is a need for infrastructure to support cell phone services on the Island. The land service was deemed barely adequate and residents expressed an interest in seeing an upgrade in the service. Fish House The existing main dock facilities at Duncan Town appeared in reasonable condition, however, it was reported that the mail boat docked at this facility only once or twice in the last thirty years (no access due to shallow channel). The small fish house at the dock was constructed approximately fifteen years ago but never opened for business. The two freezers in the facility were deemed usable after minor repairs and as such, the facility could be activated once lease arrangements and repair cost are satisfied. II. Exuma The Island of Exuma experienced minimal damage from hurricane Frances. This view is supported by the written assessment reports compiled by the Local Government Representatives in Exuma, as well as the visual inspections undertaken during Ministers Miller and Mitchell’s visit to the Island. The local Government Report indicated the following impacts to the Island as a result of hurricane Frances: Utilities Water and Sewerage – no damage to the system B.E.C. A few power lines were broken during the hurricane but all power on the island was fully restored by 4 September 2004. BATELCO Land Lines and cellular services were disrupted on 3 September but restored by 5 September. Other General Damage Assessments in Exuma Minor surface damage to the first bridge at Barraterre Disruption of water supply to Exuma A few singles missing from the homes of private residences Minor flood at Forbes Hill A few trees fell throughout the island, but none resulted in any road blocks Damage to banana and citrus crops (such damage seen at a farm in the Rolleville area owned by Mr. Kermit Rolle) Sand dune erosion between Jimmy Hill and the Palms at 3 sisters. Public Properties Major damage (20ft X 20 ft hole) to the tin roof of the Packing House at Mount Thompson. Minor damage to the roof at the administrator’s residence Minor damage to the roof at the administrator’s complex, George Town Damage to a public telephone boot in George Town Damage to a door at the BATELCO Complex at Williams Town Minor roof damage to the roof at the Mount Thompson School Private Properties The Four Seasons Hotel suffered minimal disruptions; only a few small landscaping trees and plants were uprooted. The Peace and Plenty hotel suffered damage to one or their small docks. Sam’s place suffered damage to one of their small marina docks.