Minnis calls for extension to exigency

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis urged the government yesterday to extend its exigency order, which allows Family Island residents hard hit by Hurricane Joaquin to import certain items duty free over a 90-day period.

Speaking with The Tribune, Dr Minnis said the timeframe might not be long enough for persons to rebuild their lives, after losing practically everything during the category four hurricane.

He also said the government must also seriously consider sending therapists to hurricane impacted islands to prevent a “medical meltdown”.

“That is not even close to being enough time,” Dr Minnis said of the exigency order. “Most people do not have the cash ready to make big purchases and would have to seek assistance from their family and that takes a while. It takes a while to get an inventory of all they need and to get their stuff in order in terms of immediate needs. If the government does not extend the order we, as the opposition, will advocate on the people’s behalf until they do. We will do what needs to be done.”

He added: “The government also needs to look very seriously at the psychological impact of the hurricane before there is a medical meltdown. These people are going through a lot of changes and that is a lot of pressure on the family structure and the kids. This would impact the kids in school and how they function. They need to send therapists to these islands to see the effects before they manifest into suicidal attempts, violence, withdrawal and it destroys the family structure. If that doesn’t happen, down the road we will see a medical meltdown and an increase in crime.”

In a press release issued on the weekend, the government said Prime Minister Perry Christie signed an exigency order to respond to the urgent need for specified goods required for recovery and rebuilding.

The order covers relief of residents in the affected islands namely: Acklins, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Exuma, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana, Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Samana Cay and San Salvador who suffered hardship or loss as a result of Hurricane Joaquin, and whose claims/applications in respect of such goods are certified by the director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The import of goods specified is permitted for a period of 90 days beginning October 3, 2015.

In reference to motor vehicles, exemption will be based on the market value of the vehicle destroyed on the date of the hurricane, the government said. The destroyed vehicle must be turned over to the authority of the Customs Department.

The government has also declared the waiver of landing fees, departure tax for non-commercial flights bringing in relief goods, and Customs processing fees on imports in the above-mentioned islands for a period of one month commencing October 3, 2015.

The islands of Acklins, Crooked Island, and Long Cay have been declared sufferance port areas for a period of three months commencing October 3, 2015.

Comments

sealice says...

surprised the PLP hasn't called the election so they can wave "duty free" in front of the Southern Bahamas to try and get their votes back?

Posted 14 October 2015, 1:32 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

We got a 90 day one after Frances. Believe me. It's enough time. The abuse was amazing. I'd suggest a better system, one where you are proven to be in need and then and only then you are given duty and vat free allowances.

But no Minnis wants a free for all for a longer time....

Posted 14 October 2015, 3:59 p.m. Suggest removal

Biblebased says...

Consumers are there own worst enemies. Keep informed. Under the WTO, a country charging VAT, should not even be charging Custom Duties! Custom duties are inhumane just like the Real Property Tax. God is not pleased with the way humans are being driven to poverty by the very same Government they Vote in! How stupid can we be! Sure a country nneeds money to fuel its economy, but not off the backs of poor people, the way these Governments world wide have been doing. Its time that we have a say on percentages. Every syear there should be a "Customs Duty" Free period of 90 days for all citizens. And remember, not everyone has money to just go out and replace their furniture, most live paycheck to paycheck, so have to save money. The Banks will not lend those poor people any money to purchase furniture, you know it and I know it. An no Minnis does not want a free for all. We should all be free to purchase personal items without being charged double, Plus, Plus what you paid for it! Its just not right!

Read on :
http://de.porath.com/en/wto-agreement-c…

http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/polit…

Should be on Food too!

http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-p…

Posted 14 October 2015, 11:24 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Hubert Minnis is just a dumb as Christie, just as corrupt as Christie, but much more evil, conniving and mean than Christie could ever be! Be very careful what you pray for.......especially when it comes to any possibility whatsoever of Minnis ever becoming PM of our country. At least under dumb and corrupt Christie we can still pray for hope.......you wouldn't even be able to do that under Minnis!

Posted 21 October 2015, 11:08 p.m. Suggest removal

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