Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin has come to the government’s defense after critics said it was slow too respond to flood victims.

Last week, Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis blasted the government saying that it was moving too slow in responding to the cries of Bahamians.

But yesterday the minister, who is also a Yamacraw MP noted that it is all criticism and in fact, they were on the ball as soon as the rain had stopped.

Speaking to reporters outside cabinet she said, “Don’t mind the talk you hear about government delay and all of that.”
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Department of Social Services, the Defense Force and the Ministry of Works, they have all been in the field from day one.”

She said the team is currently carrying out the preliminary assessment and will establish a full assessment programme, after which a recommendation will be given to the Cabinet.

“You have to be able to make informed decisions, not rushed decisions,” she said.

She added that along with the respective members of parliament (MPs), there have been over 50 social workers that have hit the streets and assisted people affected by the flood from day one.

The minister said she is disappointed to learn of people thinking the government doesn’t feel their pain as her home was affected by the flood as well.

“I had three feet of water in front of my house,” she said.

“The water came into my foyer and there was three inches of water in that area. Luckily enough I didn’t have any furniture damage.”

“Many of us [MPs] have experienced it. To get out of my yard I had to jump up on a tractor that had to take me through three-feet of water because the jeep that was supposed to get me couldn’t get through my gate.”
Pinewood MP Khaalis Rolle was one of the cabinet ministers that immediately toured his area after last week’s flood to assist constituents with their damages.