Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin arrived in Abraham’s Bay, Mayaguana, Friday, February 3, to begin a four-day official visit.

The visit is Mrs. Griffin’s second official visit within the past six months. The Social Services Minister led a delegation here in September 2016 at which time she made a number of commitments to the residents – one of which was to qualified recipients of the Department of Social Services’ (Ministry of Social Services and Community Development) Food Assistance Programme that they would be in possession of Visa Pre-Paid Cards within a short timeframe.

Minister Griffin had also made a commitment to have a full-time Social Worker on island prior to her return. Social Worker, Mrs. Nakita Smith arrived on the island Monday, January 30, to complement Mrs. Jesse Barr and Mrs. Linda Charlton.

Mrs. Griffin had also made a commitment to expand the lunch programme. School officials here are reporting that the commitment has been met.

“One of the things I always attempt to do once I return from meeting with residents to find out their needs, is to try and ensure that their needs are met as soon as possible,” Mrs. Griffin said.

The Social Services Minister has a full schedule planned that will take her throughout three major communities of Mayaguana – Abraham’s Bay, Betsy Bay and Pirate’s Well – beginning with school visits to the Pirate’s Well Primary School and the Abraham’s Bay High School.

Mrs. Griffin is also scheduled to conduct a site visit of the proposed location for the expanded Department of Social Services Office; she will meet with Local Government Officials (Chief Councilor Deborah Moss); meet with staff of the Department of Social Services; address a Town Meeting that will be held at the Abraham’s Bay Secondary School and will conduct community visits with the elderly, children and other residents throughout the three communities here in Mayaguana.

The highlight of Mrs. Griffin visit will be the presentation of Visa Pre-Paid Cards to qualified recipients of the Department of Social Services’ Food Assistance programme. The cards will replace the paper coupons previously used. Mayaguana and Acklins are the final two islands to receive their Pre-Paid Cards. That will no longer be the case at the end of March when the Cards will hit Acklins – the final destination.

Mrs. Griffin is accompanied by Ms. Mellany Zonicle, Director, Department of Social Services; Ms. Cherely Kelly, Assistant Director, Community Support Services Division, Department of Social Services, and Ms. Tianya Johnson, Manager, Bank of The Bahamas’ Card Services.

Minister of Social Services and Community Development the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin (front centre) and members of her delegation made stops at the Abraham's Bay High School and the Pirate’s Well Primary School during Day One of Mrs. Griffin's four-day visit to Mayaguana. Mrs. Griffin and her delegation are pictured with students of the Abraham's Bay High School. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)

By Matt Maura

Bahamas Information Services