The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, presented with two cheques of $100,000 each for schools in West Grand Bahama from the Freeport Container Port.

During a presentation at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the presentation was made for the Eight Mile Rock High School and Martin Town Primary School, both of which received extensive damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

Making the presentation on behalf of the Freeport Container Port, CEO Godfrey Smith said Hurricane Matthew was a powerful storm and with the government’s purse being limited, the company “saw fit to minimize the impact as much as we could” for Martin Town Primary and Eight Mile Rock High, as many of their employees attended those schools and now have children attending those schools.

With this in mind, the company donated $100,000 to each of the schools and “we see it as a small token” to the restoration of these facilities and getting the children back to school in the best environment possible.

The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama, thanked Mr. Smith on behalf of the government and residents of Grand Bahama.

Describing Hutchison Port Holdings (Freeport Container Port)) as “excellent corporate citizens” who contribute to the community, he added that the gift is important as both schools sustained significant damage.

Minister Darville said that prior to the presentation, the group toured Martin Town Primary and the church that is currently the temporary school for Bartlett Hill Primary, as well as Hunters and Lewis Yard area permitting Minister Gibson to see first hand the situation.

Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson, Coordinator of Matthew Relief and Recovery, added that the donation was a very generous one. “It was an interesting experience for me today to visit the two makeshift areas for schools on Grand Bahama. My heart went out to the teachers and the kids because despite the conditions they find themselves in, they’re still working as though it’s just another day at the office. And that is very commendable.”

Godfrey Smith, CEO of Hutchison Port Holdings (Freeport Container Port), on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, presented NEMA with two cheques of $100,000 each, for Eight Mile Rock High and Martin Hill Primary School. Shown from left during the presentation are: Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini; Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA; Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson, who is also Coordinator for Hurricane Matthew Relief and Recovery; Mr. Smith; James Fine, Head Boy, Eight Mile Rock High; Ivan Butler, Principal of Eight Mile Rock High School; Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville; Sherry Rodgers-Brookes PA/Corporate and Government Affairs Director, Freeport Container Port; and Mary Cooper, District Superintendent for Education for Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Cays. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

Seeing that the facilities have no electricity, Minister Gibson added that they have made arrangements for generators to be delivered to each of the makeshift locations.

“As you know, the government will be taxed beyond limit to try and restore the entire country.” Unlike in the past when assistance was only given for roof repairs, on Tuesday it was decided that assistance will be given for all repairs for those who qualify.

Turning his attention to Mr. Smith, he said that corporate citizens like Freeport Container Port assist in easing the burden when they come forward with such donations.

Member of Parliament for the area, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, who is also Minister of Tourism, added that in addition to extensive damage at those schools, Holmes Rock and West End were also severely damaged by the Hurricane.

He also commended the work of the teachers of the schools who “I believe have demonstrated beyond their commitment to the future of our country. It’s the teachers who have made it known that not withstanding the lack of electricity, they believe that they can get back to work and cause the children to have better futures.”

This, he said, is a statement being made in the country. “In the rough times, we know how to rise to the occasion. And our people have come together again and are lifting each other for a better Bahamas.

“I also want to thank Hutchison because, yes, the corporate citizenship is what we look to because oftentimes there’s a disconnect of the corporate world, and what the government is doing, and what the people are doing. But this tripartite gathering and cause for the restructure of The Bahamas or the reconstruction of The Bahamas, I believe, is just enormous. We thank you. I know that you have a lot on your plate – all of what you are going through in trying to get your plant up -- that you can take the time and remember the people. We thank you for joining us.”

Ivan Butler, principal of Eight Mile Rock High, and Lesley Newton, principal of Martin Town Primary, both expressed extreme gratitude to Mr. Smith for the company’s generosity.

Martin Town Primary School received a sizable donation on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, from Freeport Container Port CEO, Godfrey Smith, to assist in the restoration of the school following the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. Shown from left at the presentation at the Ministry for Grand Bahama are: Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, MP for West Grand Bahama and Bimini; Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA; Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson, who is also Coordinator for Hurricane Matthew Relief and Recovery; Mr. Smith; Lesley Newton, Principal of Martin Town Primary School; Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville;; Sherry Rodgers-Brookes PA/Corporate and Government Affairs Director, Freeport Container Port; and Mary Cooper, District Superintendent for Education for Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Cays. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

By Robyn Adderley

Bahamas Information Services