By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE GOVERNMENT announced a duty exemption yesterday for those who were adversely affected by the recent flood in New Providence.

Michael Halkitis, State Minister for Finance, said the exigency order, which will last 90 days, is intended to provide relief to residents who suffered significant loss during the flood on May 22.

The exemption includes building materials, clean-up and plumbing materials, electrical fixtures, furniture, appliances, freezers, heaters and motor vehicles.

In order to receive the exception, however, Mr Halkitis said the requests have to be certified by the Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Last week, NEMA Director Captain Stephen Russell said the flooding either destroyed or damaged thousands of home in New Providence.

Eastern New Providence and Pinewood Gardens were some of the hardest hit areas.

Up to 13 inches of rain fell in Elizabeth Estates while Camperdown recorded 15.29 inches and Stapeldon recorded 13.6 inches.

The average rainfall for May is 5.4 inches

Opposition Leader Hubert Minnis said he is happy the government is doing something, however, he said, more focus needs to be on buying locally.

“I would like the government to go even further with the insurance companies as well as the government encourages Bahamians to purchase the items here at home. We are experiencing a recession and its essential that we try and stimulate our own economy instead of others. This can be done by allowing individuals to purchase items locally and decreasing the duty that the company would have paid so that an individual can go to the car lot and purchase the car less the duty and government can either refund the purchaser or the car dealer the duty that would have been paid before. This would encourage local buy-in individuals can also go in stores, furniture stores,” he said.

“It would also assist with job stability because a lot of stores experiencing difficulty may be placed in a position to lay off Bahamians, but with this infusion the cash would help to stabilize stores as well as jobs. If they truly believe in Bahamians they must believe in stabilizing jobs for their own children, who may have their job jeopardized by a recession. This is their opportunity to assist.”