Minister Mckenzie Commits to Strengthening Ties with The Bahamas
By: , March 14, 2024
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), presents Bahamian Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Leon Lundy, with a locally made art piece, during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on Tuesday, March 12.
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is in conversation with Bahamian Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Leon Lundy (second left), during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on Tuesday, March 12. Listening (from left) are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, The Bahamas, Marcellus Taylor; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Marsha Henry-Martin; and Director General (Acting), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson.The Full Story
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has committed to further strengthening the relationship between Jamaica and The Bahamas.
Speaking in an interview with JIS News on Tuesday (March 12), following a courtesy call by the Bahamian Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Leon Lundy, at his offices in Kingston, Minister McKenzie informed that the relationship between the countries goes “as far back as Hurricane Gilbert, when they came to Jamaica to assist us during that period”.
He pointed out that Jamaica has also worked with The Bahamas to provide relief support to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, following the impact of the La Soufrière volcano on the island.
In 2021, the HMBS Lawrence Major, a vessel operated by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, transported a variety of supplies to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“We are the focal point within the region for The Bahamas, Haiti, and the Turks and Caicos Islands and I am intending to further strengthen the relationship between both countries. I intend, once the invitation comes, for us to visit The Bahamas to have further discussions and to see what we can learn and what we can pass on to them,” said Minister McKenzie.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing the work that was started many years ago to improve the relationship and share knowledge and learn from our friends in The Bahamas,” he added.
For his part, Minister Lundy said The Bahamas values the “camaraderie and brotherly love” that the countries share.
He said The Bahamas wants to strengthen its relationship with Jamaica “to combat… what most of the countries face in the region when it comes to disaster preparedness”.