Who said it can’t be done?🤔...

Why doesn't the Bahamas Government(and/or whoever is tasked with these 'bright' ideas for lock-down extensions, shopping schedules, etc.) imitate British Airways and/or other countries who are allowing 'humanitarian' repatriation of citizens via air travel?

British Airways is not alone. Other countries are also using private firms, NGOs, etc. and streamline flights for persons to be repatriated. Why? Because persons are more comfortable in their own homes...duh.

COVID-19 is already on New Providence(sadly)

At least the Government can/should(with minimal effort):

Allow a temporary window for Nassauvians who have been stranded between The Family Islands since day #1(because of the lock-down) to return to New Providence - where their homes, husband/wife, sons/daughters, family members, etc. are.

There is no job to go to anymore, expenses are increasing(rent, food, etc.) and there is no end date to this lock-down🧐...Can you imagine what it feels like to be cut off for months away from home? With no clue as to when it will end?

A voter’s card can be used as proof of residence in Nassau.

I am certain that the aforementioned persons would not object to quarantine upon landing on New Providence. At least they will be home.

P.S. British Airways is running repatriation flights to bring home British people stranded abroad by the pandemic🤔...And why do you think?

Probably because ‘dis ga be long’. Therefore, I say organize repatriations n' just label it as 'humanitarian' too!
Duh!

This is good news for Abaco and the greater Bahamas! However, what is sad about this story is this:
Shortly after #HurricaneDorian devastated Abaco and grand Bahama, a particular local(100% Bahamian owned) company located in New Providence, met with some WSC engineers, NEMA officials, and other stakeholders, respectively – to propose this EXACT solution for Abaco, Grand Bahama, and The Family Islands – to rebuild WSC infrastructure, and improve water security and resilience throughout The Bahamas against natural disaster, utility load shedding, etc.
Sadly, the aforementioned local company(that specializes in solar-powered water pumping systems) also provided strategies to WSC engineers, and NEMA officials for:
1) assessing damaged site locations
2)strategies for seeking funding from select NGOs(UN, Samaritan’s Purse, World Bank, etc.) who were already deployed in Abaco
3) provided literature of the proposed water pump/s solutions to integrate with solar systems, generator, utility.
Sadly, the only thing (those) WSC engineers, NEMA officials and other stakeholders who engaged in numerous emails with the aforementioned (local) company did was(other than offering an opportunity to install/procure/consult/contract) was:
1) send a long list requesting hundreds of needed pumps(for free)
2) use the same strategies to acquire NGO funding
3) use the same strategies for selecting sites and performing analysis
4) act like the WSC team came up with this revolutionary idea, etc.
So basically…one must question(again), Why local expertise and entrepreneurship continues to be overlooked, pushed aside, ignored by supposedly select groups/persons who are keen on improving his/her own ego, social status, money, and God knows whatever else?
Are Bahamians with the technical and engineering expertise going to play integral roles in ‘rebuilding our Bahamas’ or will be always considered ‘non-expert-enough’ or ‘not financially wealthy enough’ to participate in some arenas?
Hmm…as I ponder like many other entrepreneurs…lol

This is good news for Abaco and the greater Bahamas! However, what is sad about this story is this:

Shortly after #HurricaneDorian devastated Abaco and grand Bahama, a particular local(100% Bahamian owned) company located in New Providence, met with some WSC engineers, NEMA officials, and other stakeholders, respectively – to propose this EXACT solution for Abaco, Grand Bahama, and The Family Islands – to rebuild WSC infrastructure, and improve water security and resilience throughout The Bahamas against natural disaster, utility load shedding, etc.

Sadly, the aforementioned local company(that specializes in solar-powered water pumping systems) also provided strategies to WSC engineers, and NEMA officials for:

1) assessing damaged site locations
2)strategies for seeking funding from select NGOs(UN, Samaritan’s Purse, World Bank, etc.) who were already deployed in Abaco
3) provided literature of the proposed water pump/s solutions to integrate with solar systems, generator, utility.

Sadly, the only thing (those) WSC engineers, NEMA officials and other stakeholders who engaged in numerous emails with the aforementioned (local) company did was(other than offering an opportunity to install/procure/consult/contract) was:

1) send a long list requesting hundreds of needed pumps(for free)
2) use the same strategies to acquire NGO funding
3) use the same strategies for selecting sites and performing analysis
4) act like the WSC team came up with this revolutionary idea, etc.

So basically…one must question(again), Why local expertise and entrepreneurship continues to be overlooked, pushed aside, ignored by supposedly select groups/persons who are keen on improving his/her own ego, social status, money, and God knows whatever else?

Are Bahamians with the technical and engineering expertise going to play integral roles in ‘rebuilding our Bahamas’ or will be always considered ‘non-expert-enough’ or ‘not financially wealthy enough’ to participate in some arenas?

Hmm…as I ponder like many other entrepreneurs…lol