By Stephen Gay, Guardian Staff Reporter

As Hurricane Ike unleashed its fury on storm-weary Turks and Caicos Islands Saturday and took aim at the southeastern Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham reported that he was satisfied that all of the necessary hurricane preparations had been taken.

He also reported at a press conference that government officials and technical officers would conduct damage assessments today or tomorrow.

Around 11 a.m. yesterday, the eye of Hurricane Ike was passing over Mathew Town, Inagua and hurricane force winds were expected to last up to late yesterday afternoon. Tropical force winds were expected to impact all islands in the southern Bahamas up until late last night or early this morning.

Yesterday afternoon, V. Alfred Gray, Member of Parliament for Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay, told the Nassau Guardian from his home in New Providence that he had been in contact with Inagua's administrator, Preston Cunningham, who reported that there was widespread devastation on the island.

Gray said authorities had gone out to rescue a woman whose home had reportedly suffered severe roof damage.

As the storm made its approach, Ingraham said Saturday he was in constant contact with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as well as Family Island administrators and local government representatives in Ike's path.

He said he was satisfied that residents had taken the storm's threat seriously. The prime minister said government agencies that provide essential services were fully prepared to jump into action.

The prime minister also reported Saturday that the Ministry of Health had secured clinics and health care professionals were to remain on duty throughout the duration of the hurricane yesterday. The Bahamas Electricity Corporation had also advised that it had full stand-by crews in place.

NEMA officials reported yesterday that in Inagua storm shutters at the local police station and at St. Philips Community Centre had been blown off causing water breaches. There was also a water breach at the second shelter at Zion Baptist Church, but no injuries had been reported yesterday afternoon.

The roof of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company's office in Mathew Town was severely damaged and NEMA officials said land lines were out in Mayaguana and Acklins due to a power outage since Saturday night.

Twelve Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines were deployed to Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and San Salvador ahead of Ike's landfall. Three marines were stationed on each island as Ike roared through the southern Bahamas yesterday after raking over the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Prime Minister Ingraham said Defence Force craft were standing by to go into the islands if necessary after Ike passed.

"Marines are there to provide leadership, some guidance and additional skills that may or may not be in short supply in these small communities," he said.

During the press conference on Saturday, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Shannondor Evans said police were charged with the responsibility of maintaining contact throughout the islands through officers on the ground and by various other means.

"Our command centre at police headquarters East Street has been activated," Evans said. "The command centre will remain open until the storm passes."

With the threat of Hurricane Ike growing Saturday, Prime Minister Ingraham also warned merchants against price gouging.

"There are consequences which they will be exposed to if they engage in price gouging as a result of the demand because of the impending hurricane," Ingraham warned. "We expect that prices will remain the same as they were last week as opposed to being jacked up now that the hurricane is upon us."