Aftermath Hurricane Matthew. (Photo: File)

Amid questions about credentials to be an appropriate national coordinator for the hurricane restoration process, Minister of Labour Shane Gibson said he is dedicated and will not "rest until everyone gets the help they need in a timely fashion, regardless of their political preference".

Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis questioned Prime Minister Perry Christie's decision to appoint Gibson as the coordinator for the Hurricane Matthew relief and recovery efforts, but the prime minister said Gibson distinguished himself for the work he has done and the speed at which he did in it the aftermath of previous storms.

As a guest on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM's "Let's Talk Live" with host Carlton Smith, Gibson explained that his role involves taking ministerial responsibility for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the same way that he oversees the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance Board.

He said while there will always be some observers who second-guess the Christie administration, the PLP has "not done anything to cause people not to trust us".

"Everything we did, we can justify it and we are able to explain exactly why we are making the decisions that we are making," he said.

"Now, not every time individuals will agree with it, but we can always justify the decisions that we make."

According to Gibson, the first phase of New Providence's clean up since the passing of Hurricane Matthew was completed yesterday.

The first phase involved clearing roads of toppled trees and debris, and clearing public spaces.

Gibson said the assessment of infrastructural damage on New Providence is ongoing.

The contracts are being managed by the Ministry of Finance.

The estimated cost of damage caused by Matthew is $500 million, but could go as high as $600 million.

The government passed a resolution this week to borrow $150 million to assist in the restoration efforts.

Christie also suggested an additional special tax to help with relief, though he backtracked from the statement on Wednesday, insisting that the existing tax system is sufficient to cover the cost.

The additional borrowing and Christie's remarks sparked debate about the need for the government to provide a better accounting of tax revenue and how it is being used.

Asked whether the time has come from the government to move away from the finance model of putting all revenue into the consolidated fund, and consider earmarking taxed revenue from specific sectors of the economy, Gibson, "It could not work."

Pointing to the $20 million-$25 million the government is spending building a road between Spring Point and Salina Point, Acklins, Gibson said the island has not generated sufficient revenue to cover the roadwork.

"If you begin allocating monies specifically in areas where they were raised, I am saying a lot of the programs we are running right now, we would [not be able] to run them," he said.

Gibson insisted the government has been mapping out new strategies to ensure the government is able to gather and record data properly and use that information to make the "right decisions during the restoration process".

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