In the aftermath of Hurricane Frances the central government in Nassau is treating Grand Bahama like a “colony” and subjecting the people there to “suffering and abuse” it was claimed yesterday.
The relief efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane have also proved that the authority of local government should be expanded and that all the family islands would benefit from stronger local government agencies, said Freeport lawyer Frederick Smith, who was a former president of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association.
Mr. Smith’s main complaint with central government following the destruction caused by Hurricane Frances was the long response time concerning the duty charged on items such as water, food and generators.
“Why was there confusion regarding taxation and why did it take a week to lift the duty from items necessary to disaster relief?” the lawyer asked.
Mr. Smith, who is still an active member in the Human Rights Association, said he cannot understand why the duty issue was not immediately given to the Grand Bahama administrators to deal with at their own discretion.
He said he does not blame the Customs Department in nassau for the delay but places the blame “squarely at the feet of the Cabinet”.
He further noted that government should have been better prepared for the hurricane and had a standaard relief programme in place.
Source: Karin Herig, The Tribune
