Pictured from left are George Cornish, BALGA Treasurer; Chervita Campbell, BALGA Secretary and Gladstone Russell, Sweetings Cay Local Government Chief Councillor. (Photo: Sharell Lockhart)
The Bahamas Association of Local Government Authorities (BALGA) on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 presented several Northern Bahamas District Councils with Hurricane Relief Building Material and Supplies to assist in the restoration of adversely impacted constituencies.
Chervita Campbell, BALGA Secretary and Marco City Local Government Councillor noted that there are 32 councils within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas that play a significant role in the governance of all, therefore, in an effort to assist its membership following the passage of Hurricane Joaquin (2015) and Hurricane Matthew (October 6, 2016) executives have presented eight 4500 watt generators to chief councillors in West Grand Bahama, City of Freeport, East Grand Bahama as well as North, South and Central Andros, Mangrove Cay and the Berry Islands.
George Cornish, BALGA Treasurer and Marsh Harbour, Abaco Local Government Chief Councillor traveled to Grand Bahama to join Secretary Campbell in presenting the generators in West Grand Bahama, City of Freeport and East Grand Bahama.
“We thought it fitting after Hurricane Joaquin and Hurricane Matthew would have affected The Bahamas to present 4500 watt generators to the West Grand Bahama, City of Freeport, East Grand Bahama as well as North, South and Central Andros, Mangrove Cay and the Berry Islands courtesy of FYP Builders Mall Co. Ltd.
“Rising to the occasion to lend a helping hand is definitely all that BALGA is about and although it has taken a bit longer than we expected to deliver these supplies due to the fact that our only means of communication is through cellphone calls and email, which has been unreliable as of late we are elated to make this presentation to Gladstone Russell, Sweetings Cay Local Government Chief Councillor.
“Furthermore, BALGA not only renders support to its District Council members but also seeks to lend aid to residents of the various islands as well.
“In the not too distant days ahead, BALGA will also present goods and supplies to residents adversely impacted by Hurricane Matthew, which have been generously donated by Home Depot.
“Again, BALGA is here to serve our people in any capacity in which we are able to and all efforts would be exhausted to do just that, especially as an $8,000.00 investment has been made as a result of BALGA Executives reaching out to its international network in order to assist those in need.”
Grateful to receive a generator Councillor Russell thanked BALGA on behalf of the residents of Sweetings Cay stating, “Certainly I appreciate all that BALGA has done for the entire Grand Bahama community including Sweetings Cay and East Grand Bahama.
“On behalf of the residents of Sweetings Cay and Sweetings Cay and East Grand Bahama I gladly accept this 4,500 watt generator, which is being presented to assist in the council’s efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
“As most are aware, Hurricane Matthew caused major destruction across Grand Bahama especially as it relates to power lines and poles and most of the island has been without electricity for quite some time.
“While I commend the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) for exhausting all efforts to ensure the power supply is up-and-running safely, efficiently and in the shortest possible timeframe throughout affected areas in East Grand Bahama and Sweetings Cay and based on the last assessment that work is quickly being completed; this generator will certainly help the Sweetings Cay Local Government Council to get all our work done in the interim.
“Again for this we say thank you to BALGA and for the continued support of our fellow Local Government Council Authorities assistance.”
By: Sharell Lockhart
Source: Freeport News/Guardian
