(Statement) During the 2012
general election campaign, the PLP, then in opposition campaigned heavily on
the need for energy reform in this country. In fact, they promised to
drastically reduce the cost of electricity across our archipelago by
encouraging the introduction of alternative energy sources.
Since coming to office
however, the government has failed to deliver, and all announced plans for
reforms have been met with countless delays. In New Providence, the
introduction of the massive multimillion dollar Bahamar project this May threatens
to wreak havoc on an already strained electricity system and yet the government
seems uninterested in taking advantage of the countless green energy options
available to them. Take for example the New Providence landfill which remains a
gold mine for waste to energy production. Rather than use the pounds of waste
at the dump as an efficient and cost effective energy producer, some government
officials have used their influence to secure contracts for the garbage
collection trucks, while others have attempted to broker deals at a higher cost
to the public allegedly in hopes of pocketing millions. Yes, even as the cost
of oil declines globally, residents across this country continue to endure
subpar service while being forced to pay astronomical power bills.
The benefits of
lowering the cost of electricity are obvious. Reducing the cost of power
generation can empower hundreds more Bahamians thereby improving the quality of
life for struggling Bahamian families. Lower electricity rates not only
encourage entrepreneurship but also make available thousands of dollars in
consumer spending which can be pumped back into the local economy. A switch
from energy production dependent on crude oil also has countless environmental
benefits. This is particularly important for our still developing country which
depends heavily on various aspects of our environment to attract visitors and as
part of our national livelihood.
Residents on Grand
Bahama, are all too familiar with the hardships caused by higher energy costs. For
years now, the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) has held the island
hostage. In Freeport, the cost of
electricity has not only become an inconvenience, but a hindrance to the
island’s economic recovery. Under the watch of this, and previous
administrations, the GBPC has been allowed to fleece struggling families on
that island, and force countless operations out of business.
Unfortunately, this
and previous administrations have failed to intervene on behalf of its
citizenry. Despite its insistence that it cannot rightly interfere with the
business of a private entity, the government is not without recourse. For years
now, the government has chosen not to exert the influence afforded it as a 7%
shareholder of the Grand Bahama Port Authority – the company which acts as the
sole regulator of the GBPC. Instead, the government of the Bahamas left cat to
watch the canary, seemingly conceding all of its power to the Grand Bahama Port
Authority. By all accounts it would seem that the two companies have acted in
collusion with successive administrations to prevent the introduction of
alternative energy sources.
Proposals for solar
and wind energy production by private citizens and potential investors have all
been denied. The question is why? Why would an administration which was elected
on the promise of lowering the cost of electricity abandon plans to do just
that? The answer:
CORRUPTION. Rather
than acting in the best interest of the citizenry, government officials have
stalled and even rejected projects which have not been beneficial to their
personal agendas or did not line the pockets of their friends, family members
and political cronies.
As with countless
other national issues the personal agendas of government ministers, their
cronies and special interest groups have taken precedence over any actual
progress and the government has ignored the cry of residents in Freeport many
of whom now live without electricity simply because they cannot afford it.
In a 21st
century Bahamas, this is
UNNACCEPTABLE!
Electricity should
NOT be a luxury
which only the wealthy can afford.
NO
longer can Bahamians pay light bills which rival rent and mortgage payments. No
longer should young children, the elderly or the infirm, suffer without
comforts which electricity provide simply because they are unable to afford it.
Branville McCartney
DNA Leader
