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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Meant to be an outline of the government’s plans for fiscal prudence over its remaining time in office, the 2016/2017 budget has been nothing more than an opportunity for members of the Christie government to pat themselves on the back. Rather than offering real insights into their spending habits over the last fiscal year, we have watched and listened as Members of Parliament on the governing side sung the praises of the leadership of PM Perry Christie and tout any number of insignificant political victories as major accomplishments on its agenda.
One such individual was Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett whose 105 page contribution was a recounting of countless trips outside of the country all at the expense of Bahamian taxpayers. During his time as minister, Mr. Dorsett has successfully kept up appearances as a man truly concerned about the country’s environmental welfare; signing numerous treaties which have committed the government and the country to taking the necessary steps needed to combat issues like climate change and monitor the country’s carbon emissions.
Even as he kept up appearances on the world stage, the minister and the government which he represents have continued to ignore what is arguably one of the most serious environmental issues facing the island of New Providence: The City Dump! In fact, remediation plans for the dump were notably absent from the Minister’s contribution altogether. Before leaving the country again to tout his supposed commitment to environmental stewardship, We DEMAND that the minister takes the necessary steps to address the issues at home FIRST!
On more than one occasion in the near and distant past, Minister Dorsett has pledged his ministry’s commitment to addressing the long standing issues at the New Providence Landfill but has taken no actionable measures to protect the quality of life for Bahamians who continue to be impacted by noxious fumes emanating from that facility every day.
Sadly this inept PLP administration is not the first government to simply ignore the challenges at the dump. This has been a SIN committed by successive administrations for varying reasons, with perhaps the most common excuse being cost of remediation at the facility. THIS HOWEVER IS NOTHING MORE THAN ANOTHER EXCUSE!
Dating as far back as 1994, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved 4 separate grants to fund four solid waste management efforts in this country. $750,000 was awarded in 1994 for feasibility studies to be conducted locally. Just three years later, another $900,000 dollars was given to the government to fund a solid waste management project and other feasibility studies. In 1999, a total of $23.5 million dollars was awarded to the government by the IDB together with $10 million dollars of our money to fund waste management exercises which would include the construction of two waste facilities here in New Providence and up to 18 such sites throughout the family islands. These plans, if executed at that time, could have revolutionized local strategies for waste disposal and management, bringing this country more in line with first world practices.
While the government has remained silent on its plans for remediation, the Democratic National Alliance has not. In fact, the DNA is the only party to put together a comprehensive plan of action. A plan which includes an expansion of recycling efforts encouraging less wastage and less garbage creation; a push toward turning the dump site into a true and real landfill as opposed to the environmental hazard we currently have. The DNA also advocates for the introduction of fully functional waste to energy plant at the site which would use the trash and refuse as fuel, resulting in cheaper and clean electricity.
Over time, these steps would see the entire dumpsite and landfill sanitized and can be turned into a green zone that no longer poses real health risks for Bahamians. Doing so would ensure proper management of the site, keeping it clean and producing cheap energy supply and finally eradicating the uncontrolled and toxic fires.
The Democratic National Alliance has again found the Minister of Environment to be derelict in his duties. Bahamians are SICK and TIRED of the government’s silence on this issue. What they want, what they deserve is a government that does more than pay lip service to environmental protection but a government with a plan, and one prepared to ACT sooner rather than later.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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