The Recovery Task Force led by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Premier has been mobilised to lead the recovery process following the deactivation of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

The Recovery Task Force which is comprised of representatives from 11 Government Ministries and Departments, met on Monday, August 14 to discuss and agree on the recovery action plan following the impacts from the August 7 tropical wave.

The Chairperson of the Recovery Task Force, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mr. Brodrick Penn explained that the Force will provide an official basis on which planned and coordinated actions can be taken in support of the recovery efforts.

He said, “The members of the Force will work collectively to promote effective, coordinated actions among all agencies; promote timely decision making and implementation in support of the goal of recovery; facilitate and ensure efficient use of financial and technical resources, and suggest appropriate accounting and reporting arrangements.”

Mr. Penn further noted that another objective of the Task Force is to use the information gathered form technical damage assessments to reduce hazard vulnerability in the future.

He said, “Technical assessments are ongoing as we work to determine the failures that occurred to roads and slopes, analyse rainfall impacts on drains and ghuts, and conduct structural assessments which will be used to identify priority areas for development and designs best suited to minimise the impacts from similar events in the future.”

The Recovery Task Force is comprised of core working groups focused on different priority areas including; coordinating and leading the recovery process; infrastructure and utilities; finance and economic management; aid management; educational services and facilities; environment and recreational services; health; debris management and government services.

 During their meeting on Monday, The Recovery Task Force working groups established a list of required actions to be completed under each priority area. The working groups will also partner with relevant private sector stakeholders, as well as the NGOs and service clubs to ensure a Territory-wide – all hands on deck approach to our rapid and complete recovery.

The Recovery Task Force is comprised of representatives from the Premier’s Office; Deputy Governor’s Office; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Communications and Works; Ministry of Education and Culture; Ministry of Health and Social Development; Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour; Central Statistics Office; Town and Country Planning; Department of Information and Public Relations and Department of Disaster Management.

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