Documentary to focus on Hurricane Dorian and be produced by trio of women “We have a story not only for local and regional communities, but this is a story for the world” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamian communications expert and Film Producer Dr Juliette Storr is aiming to place a magnifying glass over the insidious devastation […]
Tag: Abaco
DORIAN AND BEYOND: Bahamian historian launches storytelling project on killer storm
“I’ve always wanted to tell Bahamian stories; I’ve always wanted an avenue to do that” Public invited to submit their testimonies NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Dr Crystal A deGregory is taking the initiative to draw a silver lining around the dark cloud left behind by the ravaging force of Hurricane Dorian. The killer storm, which rampaged […]
INTERVENTION: PM commits to adjusting 7-year wait for insurance payout for missing victims
“Apart from the financial burden this imposes, the psychological burden is immense” Davis says his administration will bring relief to Abaco despite fiscal challenges NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said his administration is reviewing the seven-year wait requirement for missing individuals to formally be declared dead, asserting it “cannot be right” for […]
HEFTY HURRICANE CLEANUP BILL: Roughly $17 million spent on Abaco debris management to date
“We have to find ways to monetize this debris and move it from Abaco because if there is another storm, debris will be everywhere” MARSH HARBOUR, ABACO — Nearly $10 million has been spent on debris management and $7.3 million on community cleanup on Abaco, according to Aviation Director Algernon Cargill. Cargill had been appointed […]
“ENCOURAGING FIRST STEP”: Abaco chamber welcomes housing proposal and other infrastructure initiatives
Govt reviewing 150 house-building proposals for Abaco Davis said his govt focused on “the ongoing suffering of the people” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Abaco Chamber of Commerce Director Krista Albury said yesterday Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis’ announcement that the government is reviewing a housing proposal for 150 homes is a “breath of fresh air”. “I […]
FLIGHT CHALLENGES: Aircraft failing to gain altitude contributed to its crash on Abaco, notes AAIA report
Two pilots confirmed sole passengers onboard at time of incident NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A plane that crashed in Treasure Cay, Abaco, on Monday and claimed the lives of two young pilots, reportedly had challenges gaining altitude upon take-off. According to initial reports from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), those challenges contributed to the accident. […]
WHAT’S THE HOLD UP?: $1.8M Abaco hurricane shelter still not completed two weeks into hurricane season
“The reality is we would have wanted it to be done way before the hurricane season” Construction of homes for Hurricane Dorian victims still being planned NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Construction on the $1.8 million Central Abaco Community Centre/Hurricane Shelter has been delayed and is expected to be completed by the end of summer, according to […]
HOUSING ON THE WAY: Abaco minister advises construction to begin on Dorian homes by months end
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — North Abaco MP Darren Henfield advised yesterday that the government will begin construction on homes in Abaco for Hurricane Dorian victims by the end of the month. The government has previously announced four housing projects on Abaco, and others on Grand Bahama. During his presentation to the budget debate, Henfield outlined several […]
“DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN”: Foreign affairs minister underscores danger of shantytowns in defense of govt’s position
Henfield: This is not about migration or illegality; this is about saving lives “We still don’t know how many lives were lost in The Mudd” ABACO, THE BAHAMAS — As he toured the storm-ravaged areas of Hurricane Dorian with a United Nations (UN) delegation over the weekend, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield defended the government’s […]
HELP US: Shantytown residents make impassioned plea for UN intervention in ongoing demolition of homes
“Stop this senseless, heartless and illegal action that is being driven by xenophobia and discrimination” ABACO, BAHAMAS — A group of residents from The Farm shantytown on Abaco demonstrated on Saturday against the ongoing demolition of their homes, calling for the United Nations (UN) to take urgent action on their behalf to stop the government […]
RELIEVED: Abaco Chamber head calls SERZ order extension “welcomed news”
Hutton: We had wanted three-year extension but we’re still very happy to have some clarity now NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton said yesterday that while the organization had been seeking a three-year extension of the Special Emergency Recovery Zone (SERZ) Order, the government’s decision to extend it to the end […]
RUNNING OUT OF TIME: “Uncertainty” looms as Dorian tax breaks set to expire, says Abaco Chamber
Hutton says Abaco residents have tried to engage govt to no avail NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With the Hurricane Dorian tax breaks set to expire at the end of June, Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday there is now a great deal of “uncertainty” on the island among residents and second homeowners looking to rebuild. […]
BAD TO WORSE: Shantytown resurgence further exacerbates Abaco’s “housing crisis”, says Chamber president
ABACO, BAHAMAS — The re-emergence of shantytowns on Abaco is merely exacerbating the housing crisis on the hurricane-ravaged island, according to its Chamber of Commerce president. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president, told Eyewitness News: “I’m not taking sides on the issue, because that is not we do that, but we support the […]
UN experts urge The Bahamas to halt plans to demolish 600 homes in Abaco shantytown
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — United Nations human rights experts today called on the Bahamas to halt planned demolitions this week of approximately 600 homes at two informal settlements known as the Farm and the Farm Road in Abaco. In a statement released this morning, the experts cited health and humanitarian concerns that “the community of largely […]
FINAL COUNTDOWN: Govt set to demolish more homes in The Farm today
Some Farm residents with nowhere to go say they will “wait and see” what happens ABACO, BAHAMAS — After placing final eviction notices on remaining shantytown homes in The Farm, Abaco, earmarked for demolition, the government is expected to tear down those unregulated structures today. The notices affixed to homes yesterday in English and Creole […]
DEMOLITION BEGINS: Govt begins removing structures in The Farm; issues “final warning”
Human Rights Bahamas denounces the move ABACO, BAHAMAS — Forty-five incomplete and unoccupied structures in the shantytown known as The Farm on Abaco were demolished yesterday, making good on Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister’s promise of resolute action in the area to remove those homes. Heavy-duty equipment tore the structures down as some residents […]
FREED UP: Abaco chamber of commerce welcomes curfew adjustment
ABACO, BAHAMAS — The prime minister’s decision to push back the curfew on mainland Abaco by two hours was branded a “big deal”, especially for small businesses on the hurricane-ravaged island. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, during a COVID-19 communication in Parliament yesterday, announced that the 8pm to 5am daily curfew on mainland Abaco would […]
Three men arrested and charged for illegal landing following viral video showing migrants living in bus
ABACO, BAHAMAS — A widely shared video allegedly showing three undocumented Haitian migrants living in a school bus on Abaco led to their arrest and ultimate conviction for illegal landing in the Magistrate’s Court today. The Department of Immigration in a statement said an investigation was launched into the video after an official complaint was […]