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Bahamian Politics Last Updated: Apr 5, 2017 - 3:42:44 PM


DNA: Dorsett’s Promises on Landfill an Election Season Farce
By Branville McCartney, Leader, Democratic National Alliance (DNA)
Apr 5, 2017 - 11:53:10 AM

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Weeks after a massive fire ripped through the New Providence landfill forcing the evacuation of nearby communities, those residents continue to cope with the serious health implications of that blaze. The fire has since sent government officials into a scramble amid a barrage of harsh criticisms on the part of affected Bahamians. Sadly though, it is apparent that the government’s recent interest in finding a real solution to the issues plaguing that facility has more to do with proximity of a general election.

After years of wasting time, and energy tiptoeing around issues at the New Providence Landfill, the DNA finds its very interesting that this administration, with just weeks to go before a general election is once again making grandiose promises regarding the future of the New Providence Landfill. According to recent comments made by the Minister of the Environment Ken Dorsett, the government’s preliminary investigations have revealed that plans for true remediation at the dump could cost taxpayers upwards of 30 million dollars, a plan which he says would re-engineer the facility providing proper treatment of hazardous, green and white waste, as well as the introduction of new technologies, all of which he says will be achieved through a public RFP.

While I am happy that the Minister seems to FINALLY be taking his job, and the wellbeing of Bahamian families seriously, I cannot ignore the level of hypocrisy under which he and this administration continue to operate. After publicly dismissing the concerns of Bahamian companies who had previously questioned the government’s private appointment of renew Bahamas to the management role at the dump, the Minister has changed his tune, undoubtedly in an attempt to appease critics ahead of an election.

This government, like the FNM’s administration, has had more than ample opportunities to address the dump. Bahamians will remember the fiasco that ensued as a result of that illegally signed LOI agreement valued at some 650 million dollars for a waste to energy facility which never materialized and for which Bahamians have yet to receive a satisfactory answer. Equally noteworthy is the nearly 35 million dollars that was allocated to address the issues at the dump. Dating as far back 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 the New Providence and up to 18 such sites throughout the family islands. These plans, if executed at that time by the Free National Movement, could have revolutionized local strategies for waste disposal and management bringing this country more in line with first world practices. Instead, Bahamian taxpayers have borne the burden of repaying that multi-million-dollar loan but have NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT!

With the government’s penchant for heavy borrowing and reckless spending, BAHAMIANS EVERYWHERE should be very wary of this new 30-million-dollar price tag. Where will this money come from and how can Bahamians be assured that any of this government’s so called plans will actually see fruition?

Unlike the FNM and PLP, the DNA has crafted a well thought out plan for true remediation at the dump; one which employs local expertise, innovation and first world technologies to ensure that Bahamians can enjoy the quality of life they DESERVE! We implore Bahamians not to be swayed by the empty campaign rhetoric and grandiose promises. Instead, judge the minister and this government on their behavior to date and TRASH this administration.

Branville McCartney

DNA Leader


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