Thirty-three members of the diplomatic corps visited the Bahamas Agruculture and Marine Science Institute's North Andros facilities during Bahamas Diplomatic Week. While there the group met with Executive Director of BAMSI Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna (4th from right) and her team.
A part of a slew of activities held during Bahamas Diplomatic Week 2016 more than 30 members of the Bahamas Diplomatic Corps visited the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI).
The group landed in North Andros on October 19th and toured the campus of the institute's academic arm, the commercial farm, livestock area and aquaponics center. They also used the opportunity to visit several settlements in North Andros, including Lowe Sound, one of the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew.
Headed by Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Cleola Hamilton, other officials included Bahamas Ambassador to Cuba H.E. Alma Adams, Bahamas Ambassador to Washington, D.C., H.E. Dr. Eugene Newry and High Commissioner to London H.E. Eldred Bethel.
Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, executive director of BAMSI's academic arm, was part of a delegation of senior North Andros administrators and BAMSI officials on hand to receive the diplomats. During a brief welcome reception held at the Western Air Airport facility, Dr. Hanna reported classes were scheduled to resume the following week and both the campus facilities and dorms were ready to receive students.
"We have taken steps to ensure that our students have not lost vital time in relation to their studies and we are pleased to report the dorms are up and running with internet service, electricity and water. The BARTAD building is thankfully without damage, and so with the return of electricity, water and internet service we are able to return to class and drive full speed ahead through the remainder of the semester."
Dr. Hanna also explained the role of the academic arm as the only tertiary-level institution in Andros and the primary center for agriculture and marine science studies in The Bahamas and the region. It was also noted that the institute experienced damage to its banana crop, livestock and aquaponics center.
Dr. Vallierre Deleveaux, head of marine and aquatic sciences, said while the shade house (cloth covered structure which houses the planting beds) was destroyed, the raceways which are used to grow the lettuce and other field greens were intact. He explained although planting continues, it was being done at a slower pace as they focus on rebuilding the shade house. The rebuilding is expected to be completed by the end of November with a return to full harvesting at that point. The diplomats were also able to sample the lettuce, with several of them indicating that they were impressed with the design and development of the produce.
Also on hand during the welcome session were North Andros Administrator Ivan Ferguson, who welcomed the team and provided a brief overview of Andros and the impact Hurricane Matthew had on the area. Ferguson was joined by Chief Councillor Brian Cleare, and head of the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) Alphonso Smith. In addition to Lowe Sound, where the diplomats did a walkabout - speaking with residents and seeing first-hand the destruction of Matthew - the group also toured Nicholl's Town, Morgan's Bluff and a tent city set up by the defense force.
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