By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

MICAL MP V Alfred Gray yesterday said the government has not forgotten Crooked Island, one of the communities ravaged by Hurricane Joaquin earlier this month, stressing that the recovery efforts will “take some time.”

According to Mr Gray, the MP for the area, government officials are still in the process of assessing the range of damage on the island and co-ordinating an adequate rebuilding effort.

Mr Gray said it is “ludicrous” to assume that he, or members of the Christie administration, would overlook any island left devastated by the massive category four storm.

His comments came after several residents complained to The Tribune about the state of the island, raising concerns about lingering floodwater, debris and the need for rebuilding material.

More than three weeks after the storm, residents who remain on Crooked Island are still without electricity due to the widespread damage to the Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s infrastructure.

“We need persons to understand that recovery efforts will take some time,” Mr Gray, the minister of agriculture, said when contacted for comment.

“With that said, I can confidently say we are working to resolve the issues in Crooked Island.”

Addressing concerns about the speed of the government’s response, he added: “You can’t just jump in and start working without knowing exactly what needs to be done. Reconstruction efforts need assessments to be carried out in order for it to be successful.”

“If we don’t know what is needed (on the island) then someone is bound to be overlooked or forgotten; we don’t need that. We are working to determine what exactly needs to be done in Crooked Island and as soon as we have completed our assessments, reconstruction efforts will begin.”

One Crooked Island resident told The Tribune yesterday that the mood on the island is depressing.

“We are just flowing, doing things we need to do just to feel normal,” he added.

“Yesterday we dug a ditch to bury garbage in. Before that we patched a road to get to Major’s Cay. We (are) still waiting for the government to come and aid in these projects. There is no organisation on the ground, we have everyone just doing things where they see fit.”

According to reports, electricity on the island is still no closer to being restored. Replacement poles for those destroyed during the storm are on the ground, however, they have not yet been installed.

Meanwhile, the safety of the island’s water supply is becoming more of a concern. Residents are worried that groundwater on the island may have been compromised by stagnant floodwater across the island.

The residents said the floodwater carries a rancid odour and is deep brown in colour.

According to residents, repairs to schools on the island are being carried out sparingly by private groups – not government efforts.

When presented with these claims, Mr Gray noted that all the issues raised will be properly addressed in a timely fashion.

He added that the government has employed the services of former Director of Public Works Melanie Roach.

Ms Roach served in the public service for nearly 23 years.

Mr Gray indicated that Ms Roach would serve as the czar of rebuilding efforts in Crooked Island.

Hurricane Joaquin battered the southeastern Bahamas as it hovered over the islands on October 1 and 2. Prime Minister Perry Christie has said it will cost at least $60m to rebuild and recover, with that figure expected to increase as more government assessments are completed.