Relief for residents with govt's Exigency Order

Fri, Oct 21st 2016, 04:00 PM


Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville discussed the benefits of the newly implemented Bahamas Government Exigency Order in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, during an exclusive interview with The Freeport News on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Nearly two weeks ago, Hurricane Matthew made landfall on Grand Bahama leaving it in shreds with many home and business owners scrambling through the remnants of their hard earned livelihoods.

While restoration efforts across Grand Bahama are going extremely well claimed Min. Darville, credit must be extended to the Bahamas Government and its partners for taking immediate action to institute a strategy to assess and assist the hard-hit island, as well as the communities along the southern coast, inclusive of Pinder’s Point to Mack Town, Hawksbill to Eight Mile Rock, Holmes Rock to West End and Williams Town to Mader Town by dividing the entire island into red, orange and green zones.

“Certainly, Hurricane Matthew has left significant damage in its wake and now more than ever Bahamians everywhere must come together and help one another.

“The Bahamas Government is working diligently to render aid therefore, it will definitely not put more on our hurting Bahamian people than they can bear.

“Hurricane Joaquin caused $100 million in damages last year (2015) and now, the cost associated with Hurricane Matthew, which was a Category 4 storm stands at approximately $150 million; however, in spite of the price tag we must bring relief to the people, who definitely are hurting.

“As the Minister for Grand Bahama and Pine Ridge Constituency Member of Parliament, it is my responsibility to look out for the best interest of everyone on the island by finding ways and means either through humanitarian aid as well as government assistance to be able to bring them relief,” said Min. Darville.

The Exigency Order issued by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Perry Christie will bring about much-needed relief as it relates to purchasing properly-approved, privately-imported items and supplies assigned to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which will be given duty and VAT-free privilege, without processing fees being assessed for those goods.

Grand Bahamians adversely impacted by Hurricane Matthew will receive the help they need to rebuild their lives through the Exigency Order, which is outlined as follows: “Individuals importing goods and applying for Duty and VAT exemption will be allowed to import goods valued at $3,000 or less without NEMA approval once they accompany their goods and complete a NEMA application and a C18 Customs form (accompanied baggage form).

In these instances, Customs will be able to provide approval at the border.

Individuals importing goods on a Customs form C13 Home Consumption form may do so without prior approval from NEMA provided the value of the goods being imported is less than $10,000.

In these instances, individuals must complete a NEMA Verification of Damage and Request Form for the Replacement of Building materials, Electrical, Plumbing fixtures and materials, Household furniture, Furnishings,

Appliances and Generators and a Customs Officer of a rank no less than Superintendent will be responsible for approving the release of the qualified goods at the border.

Individuals seeking to import goods under the Exigency Order on more than one occasion will be required to obtain prior approval from NEMA.

In all other instances and for the importation of Motor vehicles, NEMA approval will be required prior to the clearance and release of the goods.

Please note that the NEMA Verification of Damage and Request Form for damage Motor Vehicle must be completed.

Businesses importing goods that suffered damages and wish to access duty and VAT benefits under the Exigency Order for foreign and local purchases should have a valid TIN (Tax Identification Number) and must obtain prior approval from NEMA before the clearance and release of goods.

Local Businesses engaging in VAT/Duty free sales Businesses interested in selling duty free and VAT free qualified goods during the designated hurricane recovery period of 180 days from the passing of Hurricane Matthew are invited to make application to the Hurricane Relief Section of Customs Department by completing the required Customs form.

Upon approval of such application businesses would be permitted to make duty free and VAT free sales to qualifying customers.

Businesses are required to ensure that customers submit signed NEMA application forms and copies of identification before Duty/VAT free sales are finalized. Forms are to be submitted monthly along with sales invoices to the Department of Inland Revenue through the online tax administration System for verification.

In cases where Customs duties have already been paid, businesses can also apply for the refund of duty previously paid, individuals qualifying under the exigency order and purchasing Building materials, Electrical, Plumbing fixtures & materials, Household furniture, Furnishings, Appliances and Generators may make purchases from local businesses and may do so without prior approval from NEMA if purchases are less than $10,000.00.

For purchases of more than $10,000 NEMA approval is required; clothing is not covered by the Exigency Order and is considered a relief good.

Duty and VAT free importation of clothing is subject to the approval of the Ministry of Finance such approval would only be granted prior to the arrival of the goods.

Individuals and businesses found to be guilty of fraud will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and all approvals would be subject to the post release review by Customs, NEMA and the Department of Inland Revenue.”

Relief is the order of the day for Bahamians particularly on the Hurricane torn islands of The Bahamas including Grand Bahama and according to Min. Darville, “The Exigency Order will bring relief to the people; however, when you bring in such an order it is important that the government keeps it wide so that different groups may be able to lend assistance.

“Relatives and friends of individuals, who live on this island oftentimes assist their loved ones by purchasing items and supplies abroad and shipping it to them therefore, it is imperative that we keep that line of communication and flow of supplies opened.

“While the government did extend the Exigency Order to local businesses so they too, can participate, hence our job is to allow them to keep the money on-island as much as we possibly can to circulate it.

“Yes, this does exist and in fact, when the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Dame Marguerite Pindling traveled to Grand Bahama, she was briefed on the intricacies of the Exigency Order by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Sherrick Martin with local merchants as well as building supply too.

“Of course local businesses can do so in the attempt to again try and keep currency home, however while we extended it wide, it is really due to the fact that family members and loved ones residing in the United States of America (USA) are sending it here, hence everyone can benefit from the harbor or even at our local supply offices.

“Due to the fact that we already have a bond system in place as a result of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA), Customs is already speaking with major local suppliers like Kelly’s, Dolly Madison, Gold Rock Creek, Albuild and many others, which again benefits all and helps to firmly place us on the rode to recovery.”

By Sharell Lockhart, News Reporter

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