MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco – Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, Wednesday met with national, regional and international law enforcement, security services and military personnel that have been providing security on the ground in Marsh Harbour in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Minister Campbell thanked the various personnel for their service. The Minister also met with, and applauded the service provided by the various Emergency Support Functions (ESF) groupings that help to facilitate the work of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Minister Campbell led an advanced delegation to Abaco Wednesday morning as Bahamian disaster management officials continue to oversee what is being viewed as arguably the largest humanitarian aid effort The Bahamas has ever faced.

The team arrived ahead of the main delegation that was led by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis. The Prime Minister delivered a Communication in the House of Assembly Wednesday morning on the impacts of Hurricane Dorian and the government’s efforts in the aftermath of the storm. The House resumed Wednesday following the summer break. Prime Minister Minnis and his delegation then flew to Marsh Harbour.

“I want to begin by thanking you for all that you have done, all that you are doing and all that you will do in helping to provide security in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian,” Minister Campbell said while addressing the law enforcement and military personnel on the steps of the Government Complex in Marsh Harbour.

“We are faced with something that one could have never imagined, could have never planned for, but here we are having to deal with it. We are grateful to persons such as yourselves who would have traveled from near and far, bringing with you, the various experiences and expertise to help us get through this.”

Minister Campbell, who spent 29 years in law enforcement as a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, said world history has shown that whenever there is a disastrous event such as a hurricane, there will be “those unscrupulous persons who would want to take advantage of and exploit the situation and so security is a priority.”

“As a former Police Officer, I have a special affinity for law enforcement and military personnel, and so I am especially grateful to you for the sense of security you are here providing.”

Minister Campbell said the Government of The Bahamas has already discussed the matter of addressing the continued security needs of the island once the security teams were to leave.

“I hear the question concerning who is going to replace them? I want you to know that the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security just yesterday (Tuesday, October 1) had a conversation relative to that. I don’t want to pre-empt them, and so all I will say is that I am satisfied, that the requisite numbers will become available as security is of the utmost importance.”