Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) Executive Chairman Alex Storr said yesterday that the DRA is investigating reports that some of the domes in Spring City, Abaco, are being used as brothels.
Storr previously indicated that investigations launched on the dome project on Abaco found some residents were renting the structures for monetary gain.
When asked about allegations that some structures were also being used as brothels, he replied, “I have had reports of illegal activity along that line and other things going on. So, we’re investigating all of that. Whatever happens, we’ll make sure that we take the appropriate actions based in law.”
Storr said it is likely such activity was happening in the domes for “a matter of months”.
He said there is a multi-agency task force that will do a proper assessment of the allegations.
Storr said the government intends to bring “a proper resolution” to the issue.
Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm, decimated portions of Abaco and Grand Bahama in September 2019.
Following the storm, then-Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced the establishment of temporary housing in the form of dome-like structures, that was expected to cost about $6.4 million.
He said the government planned to set up 250 domes on Abaco in a “tent city”.
However, since the project was announced two years ago, the government has experienced an array of challenges with erecting the structures.
Storr said yesterday that there are 39 domes installed in Spring City.
“On our last check, I think maybe four may be vacant,” he said.
“And so, we have teams going out to do surveys to find out exactly who is in the dome, who should be in the domes and make sure that they reconcile.
“The government, under instructions from the prime minister, is now working on a program to try to get those persons out of the domes as soon as possible, especially with the pending hurricane season.”
Storr said the structures are not safe.
He said that even if residents are evacuated as a result of the storm, their belongings in the domes will not be safe.
“We are working to have a situation that won’t create extra hardship on the residents, but that would put them in a better circumstance,” Storr said.
