BEL team returns from Bahamas

A delegation of eight workers from the Belize Electricity Limited is home after a two-week deployment to hurricane ravaged Grand Bahamas. While in Freeport, the group, headed by Line Supervisor Rodney Baird, worked alongside other Caribbean utility companies to restore power after hurricane Frances practically destroyed the country’s infrastructure. Speaking with News 5 today at the PGIA Baird said the experience was productive and fulfilling.

Rodney Biard, Line Supervisor, BEL

?Our purpose was to go and assist with the power restoration to Freeport Grand Bahamas which was hit by hurricane Frances.?

Patrick Jones

?When you landed there, what did you find??

Rodney Biard

?Well, the lines in the area were pretty much destroyed and we knew what we were up to and we were ready for the challenge and we did a good job.?

Patrick Jones

?How big was the challenge??

Rodney Biard

?Well it was big a challenge but nothing that we couldn?t do. And I am certain that the people there were quite satisfied with our contribution. And on my part I?m glad to say that we had safely and effectively did a good job with the restoration there.?

?It was great in that we met people from different areas, different utilities, but pretty much line work all over the world is pretty much the same and you just meet different personalities and we were glad to help out with the restoration in that form.?

While in the Bahamas helping with the aftermath of Frances, the Belizean crew came face to face with Hurricane Jeanne which belted the island three weeks after their arrival. Baird said that when he could not secure passage out of the country for his entire crew, they decided to ride out the storm. Needless to say, they are all happy to be back in Belize. So far, about seventy five percent of electricity in the Bahamas has been restored.