NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Dr Raymond King said efforts are underway to correct the structural issues at the marine base container city on Abaco.
Marines have been stationed at the site for more than a year.
“Efforts are ongoing with the construction of deeper — [with] assistance from Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) — and additional sewer black and gray water discharges and tanks to mitigate environmental flooding issues due to tide levels and the need for frequent sewer pumping services,” King told Eyewitness News.
Purported photos of conditions at the container city, which made the rounds of social media last month, showed toilets filled with feces and a makeshift outdoor kitchen that included a gas stove, cooler and foldable table on top of pieced-together plywood.
The defense force has been seeking a new location for the base.
According to King, the ideal locations identified are privately owned properties, zoned for domestic subdivisions.
“Hence, efforts are underway to correct the structural issues associated with the base container city’s present location,” he said.
The base container city has now been connected to BPL’s electrical power supply and has an emergency generator.
Generators for the site were running continuously for almost a year.
When serviced, the site was temporarily without power.
A new field kitchen facility and a containerized gallery have been secured.
In the interim, the National Emergency Management Agency will ensure food preparation and catering services until the replacement equipment is acquired and the exhaust repaired.
Additionally, the commodore said the defense force will procure new galley equipment and other appliances, including a washer and drier for the base.
King also advised approval has been obtained for the resumption of essential Internet, Cable and telephone services.
He said he was awaiting fund authorization to procure materials and supplies needed to undertake the necessary upkeep and maintenance of the base container city.
Marines have continued to reside on the island to shore up security operations, and a rotation is expected to be implemented in short order.
Due to a steady increase in cases of COVID-19, Abaco remains under a 6pm to 5am weekend curfew and weekday curfew Monday through Friday from 9pm to 5am.
