PM Sends Condolences to the Bahamas

KINGSTON — The Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, has expressed his condolences to the Government and people of The Bahamas, where Hurricane Irene destroyed over 100 homes and brought flooding and power cuts to several areas on Wednesday August 24.

“The Government and people of Jamaica, express condolences to the people of the Bahamas, who have lost homes as a result of Hurricane Irene, the first major hurricane to hit towns and cities this season,” Mr. Golding said in his message.

“We are heartened that the hard work of the Bahamians, and the enforcement of that country’s building code, has prevented even more damage on the islands in the South East of the country. We are proud to say that through the CARICOM body, the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and with support from the USAID, Jamaica was able to facilitate a reconnaissance aircraft to get into Bahamian airspace on Friday,” the message added.

Mr. Golding promised that Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) would arrange for an officer of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and a medical officer from the Ministry of Health, to accompany CDEMA provisions, to help persons on Mayaguana.

"We hope that the considerable Jamaican population in the Bahamas was not too adversely affected. You can be assured that the Government is in close touch with the authorities, and is keeping abreast of the effects of the hurricane on Jamaican communities,' the Prime Minister said.

"For those of us at home, this is the time to be reminded that the hurricane season has another three months to run. We must be proactive and do what we can to protect our lives, homes and properties from the effects of flooding, erosion and high wind".

By Balford Henry, JIS Reporter & Editor