MONTHS after government officials broke ground for a $1.8m community centre and hurricane shelter in Abaco, State Minister for Disaster Preparedness Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe said construction work has officially started on the project, with officials hoping for completion before the summer's end.

In December, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the hurricane shelter and community centre, which he said will be capable of accommodating 800 people during a hurricane.

At the time, Dr Minnis said he expected the centre to be completed by May 2021, before the beginning of the next hurricane season.

However, that target was missed.

Yesterday, Mrs Parker-Edgecombe admitted that the project had been delayed, which she suggested was due to funding restraints. However, she said work has since commenced and added that officials are now hoping to have the development completed before the end of summer.

Speaking to reporters outside the Churchill Building, she said: “There was a groundbreaking. Work has commenced and there’s a delay in that not necessarily because of the fact that it’s not going to be completed. We are hoping that it is done very shortly.

“I know there is a concern in Abaco also in regard to some other housing issues so what we’re doing is we’re sitting at the table still and trying to figure out how best to move forward,” she added.

“Funding has always been an issue for us but we’ve been very grateful for the fact that persons are coming on board to assist us with that. I am hopeful, in all honesty, that it is completed before the end of the summer months because the reality is we would’ve wanted it to be done way before the hurricane season, but we are where we are and we’re going to continue to work toward having it completed.”

Mrs Parker-Edgecome also addressed housing concerns raised by Abaco residents, a major issue there since Hurricane Dorian.

Click here to read more at The Tribune