Grand Bahama is five months away from the third anniversary of Hurricane Dorian, which devastated almost 80 percent of the island, leaving behind tons of debris from damaged homes, businesses and the island's pine forest, some of which are still not cleared and are being dumped illegally.

Since that time, many residents and business owners have steadily cleaned up the once-pristine island, but there is still much to contend with.

Grand Bahama News was contacted last week by a concerned citizen, who notified GB News about multiple piles of debris accumulating all over the island; most significantly, on Queen’s Highway as well as rumors of illegal dumping being perpetrated at the old dumpsite in Freeport, which was officially closed in 2002 and moved to a location farther east just past the airport.

GB News’ photographer Matthew Aylen captured several piles of debris on Queen’s Highway, at the closed dumpsite, and at several closed businesses. 

Responsibility of keeping the city of Freeport clean falls under the direction of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), and its city maintenance department.

GB News reached out to Nakira Wilchcombe, vice president of building and development services, to ask her about the state of the Queen’s Highway and the illegal dumping.

“The City Maintenance and Management section of the GBPA continues to agitate for stakeholders of the Civic Industrial Area (CIA) to properly address debris generated from their businesses.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian