Post Hurricane Matthew, the Department of Environmental Health has its hands full and Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett said workers are busy throughout the island ensuring residents are environmentally safe.

 “In the aftermath of the hurricane, we are busy throughout all of our restaurants and food stores alike, making sure that the food that is being sold, to our people, is of good quality. Refrigeration was down and there’s food that can be spoiled. So that is also a role that the inspectorate plays,” Mr. Dorsett said.

 With the issue of settling water left after the storm showers, and the consistent rainy weather over the past week, Mr. Dorsett said this raises the concern of the threat of disease carrying mosquitoes.

 “We have been disseminating chemicals in standing water to fight against the larvae. The clean-up of the island is part and parcel of making sure that we don’t have a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he said.

 “The fogging will also continue. The rain has thwarted our efforts this week in large measure because when it rains, we can’t fog. But fogging is supposed to be ramped up weather permitting. That’s just not in Nassau, but throughout all of our islands,” Mr. Dorsett explained.

 “We are going to cover all areas. The fogging of New Providence requires us to be everywhere, consistent with what we ordinarily do. But right now we’re focusing on the southwest areas where we know that water has settled. While I was on tour with the prime minister, I noticed my teams were out checking the water particularly where there is a high saline content,” he continued.

 He also empathised with the thousands of residents who remain without power supply.

 “With limited electricity in certain areas, I think it only heightens the discomfort when you have to deal with mosquitoes too. So we’re going to do what we can to reduce the breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he assured.

 Responding to the question of the related costs involved, the minister said it is challenging to put a price tag on it, as it is uncertain how long these conditions will last.

.