Law enforcement officials yesterday welcomed 119 defenceforce troops from Trinidad and Tobago to ensure the safety of residents on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. 

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, along with Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Tellis Bethel, this past Saturday evening welcomed a contingent of Jamaican defence force officers.

Minister Dames described this as “a moving experience”.

He said, “We have brothers throughout the region, who on a moment’s notice, were able to pick up the phone and call our prime minister and say, ‘What do you need?’”

He said dealing with an archipelago like The Bahamas in times of crisis is usually a complex arrangement. 

An arrangement, he said, that requires a significant amount of planning and resources. 

“Today we welcome the resources from Trinidad and Tobago because we know we will have a complement of officers from this great nation as well as Jamaica to complement our Royal Bahamas Defence Force,” Minister Dames said.

“There’s no doubt that we are grateful. Ours is just a small country of some 400,000 people, but a lot of land to conquer.”

Trinidad and Tobago Minister of National Security Stuart Young offered his sincerest condolences to the country. 

“It’s times like this when global eyes are on our region and I am proud to be a son of the soil, not only from Trinidad and Tobago, but from CARICOM.” he said.

“We may have our differences as we go along, as everyone does, but anytime there is a time of need like this we always come together.”

The officers will be assisting with the country’s public order.

This includes medics, engineers, a small crew from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, as well as the country’s Water and Sewerage Authority’s chairman. 

The remainder of these officials will trickle into the country by Tuesday. 

He added that the people of Trinidad and Tobago are putting together as much relief supplies they can get in accordance with what Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has asked for.