The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis Prime Minister Announces
Iram Lewis as the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and
Reconstruction
Authority, and is expected to
have the power and instru-
ments to act with “great flexibil-
ity and rapidly”.
“It is critical that we remove
the bureaucratic obstructions
which may hinder recovery and
reconstruction efforts on the
ground,” Minnis said.
“Where appropriate, we will
ensure applicable, regulatory
reform and changes, as well as
removal of unnecessary regula-
tory roadblocks and red tape.
We must, and we will rebuild
and restore Grand Bahama and
Abaco stronger and more resil-
ient.”
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Min-
nis has appointed Parliamen-
tary Secretary in the Ministry of
Public Works Iram Lewis as the
Minister of State for Disaster
Preparedness,
Management
and Reconstruction, a new min- The new ministry and NEMA
istry created in the aftermath of will remain at the Office of the
Hurricane Dorian.
Prime Minister.
Lewis, is also the member of “Regardless of the photos and
Parliament for Central Grand videos that many of us have
Bahama.
seen, it still does not fully rep-
resent the level of devastation
During a press conference to experienced on these islands,”
announce the appointment, Lewis said. “In order for us to
Minnis said due to the historic restore these islands effectively
circumstance of a “generational and efficiently, we must work
tragedy”, the new ministry will together. The continued assis-
help to focus and coordinate tance of all of the governmen-
the national response for the tal resources, along with local
recovery and reconstruction of professionals and our foreign
Grand Bahama and Abaco – the partners will be needed to
two islands that bore the brunt achieve success.”
of Dorian’s destruction.
Lewis is expected to coordi-
The main body of the ministry nate the development of, the
will function as an authority, functioning and work of the
similar to the Public Hospitals ministry, and coordinate with
the leadership of NEMA, while
the prime minister will guide
larger policy objectives of the
ministry; help to coordinate the
full government response to
Dorian; and lead efforts to seek
and to promote domestic and
international investments and
reconstruction initiatives on the
affected islands.
Mr. Lewis will also be respon-
sible for developing plans and
the construction of high capac-
ity, reinforced hurricane shel-
ters on high ground in vulner-
able communities across the
archipelago.
As part of this initiative, the new
ministry will also pre-position
hurricane relief stores; essential
food supplies and emergency
response supplies such as life
rafts, life jackets, generators,
chainsaws, jet skis and heavy
equipment, among other items
deemed necessary to service
areas affected by natural disas-
ters.
Additionally, the ministry will
also be responsible for disaster
response; relief and recovery,
including the issuance of short-
term contracts for necessary
rescue and recovery efforts;
the removal of debris and road
clearance in the immediate af-
termath of a disaster.