SARAH St. George, vice-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), has commended the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) for the significant progress it has made in restoring power to the hurricane-ravaged island, reporting that 90 per cent of customers were energised as of Tuesday evening.
During an update meeting yesterday, Ms. St. George praised GBPC CEO Sarah McDonald and her Emera teams for significant progress in the restoration of power 34 days after Hurricane Matthew. Two new crews from the Emera Group - Barbados Power and Light and Dominic, the power utility of Dominica - arrived on the island after the last two weeks in Nassau and Andros assisting Bahamas Power and Light with their power restorations.
Ms. St. George said their arrival brings the total to seven Emera affiliates working together to restore power on Grand Bahama. She reported that close to 1,500 trunks and 1,700 poles have been restored, and work crews are now deployed in West Grand Bahama.
“Almost all areas have been energised, but parts of Bootle Bay, Deadman’s Reef and Holmes Rock have presented more problems than initially evident. The servicing of those damaged poles and transformers is much more than estimated,” she said.
Restoration in West End and Old Bahama Bay are still on track to be completed next Tuesday, said Ms. St. George. Because West End experienced the worst damage to residences and businesses she stressed that it would not be safe to energise many of those without inspection, which, unlike Freeport, does not fall under GBPA, but under the Ministry of Works.
She said that GBPA, the regulator for the GBPC, would be willing to assist if requested. “It is important for these inspections to take place as fast as possible to avoid delays to West End homeowners and businesses who could be energised. And I feel that GBPA could and would be helpful on this if asked. Meanwhile, the main line work and pole setting in West End will continue regardless.”
Ms. St. George urged residents to report leaning poles, damaged equipment and fallen lines to the GBPC.
She also commended voluntary clean-up efforts by local groups and organisations, including Reach Out Ministry volunteers led by Dudley Seide, the Pilot Club of Lucaya, Rotary Club of Freeport, and community activist Troy Garvey, along with residents of Hudson Estates, the GBPA’s Keep Grand Bahama Clean members, churches, Social Services, Salvation Army and the Red Cross.
“Last week, GBPA offered back-up support for two more DC3 missionary flights from America delivering food and other packages to the Salvation Army - so we are not forgotten by the rest of the world,” she said.
She also noted that the Soleviver Shoes Foundation on the cruise ship Infinity, which arrived in Freeport by accident, went to the Lewis Yard Primary School.
Troy McIntosh, City Manager of GBPA, said several clean-up crews are working in Bahama Reef, Flamingo Lane, Pelican and Sandpiper Lanes and Seahorse Village, to be followed by Windsor Park. He said Sanitation Services, Waugh Construction, and A&C Trucking Company, and Missako Investments are working on Scott Avenue and will continue to adjacent streets.
Mr. Seide and his crew working are working along East Mall Drive. And next week, he said crews will work in Gladstone Terrace, and the adjacent streets, Coral Reef Estates 1, 2, and 3 Subdivisions, Regency Park and Caravel Beach.
“All debris must be placed out before service providers arrived in the designated areas. In addition, all residents are reminded to refrain from placing debris over water lines and under-utility lines,” he advised.
Mr. McIntosh said all commercial buildings that have had debris placed on the verge must make necessary arrangements to have it moved immediately.
He thanked LUSCO Services, Sanitation Services, and third party contractors, including Dave Genetti Sr of Triple R Construction, Gordon Ritchie of A&C Trucking; Doug Silvera of Freeport Construction Company; Godfrey and Kevin Waugh of Waugh Construction; Louis Missick of Missako Investments, and Mark Adderley.
By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter
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