[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Brighter Days Ahead for Grand Bahama, Darville says
By Simon Louis, BIS
Sep 25, 2014 - 10:43:53 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

Minister_Darville_Addresses_Engineers.jpg
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, as he addressed professional engineers on Grand Bahama, Thursday morning. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

In his address of the Bahamas Society of Engineers, Northern Branch, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville told the grouping on Thursday that he strongly believes Grand Bahama has passed through the economic storm and that brighter days are ahead for the island.

In his remarks at the Engineers Northern Branch Annual Workshop at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant, he also discussed the shortage of engineers in the country and that training of young people for the profession must increase.

The Minister said it was an honour to greet them the Northern division, and specially thanked them for their dedication in promoting Science, Technology and Engineering among the youth in Grand Bahama.

He stated: “Earlier this year, I had the opportunity, along with The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, to attend the SECME Science Fair and Awards Ceremony at St. George’s High School and I must admit that I was completely blown away with the commitment and creativity of our students, as well as their knowledge of mathematics, engineering design, and their ability to apply engineering concepts to everyday life.”

The champion of that Bishop Michael Eldon High School, he said, went on to stiffer international competition taking 2nd place in the International SECME mousetrap tourney; and can look forward to being recognized during the workshop, and among the 2014 Kettering University engineering scholarship recipients. It would not have been possible without the Rotary Club of Lucaya and the financial support of Bahamas Society of Engineers Northern Division.

Also an engineer by profession, the Minister told participants that a recent survey verified that there is a shortage of professional engineers throughout the country,

but more specifically the Family Islands, where many construction projects are underway. “This shortage of professionals has forced the government and our private sector partners to recruit civil, environmental, mechanical, chemical and electrical engineers from out of the country to meet the demands of the Ministry of Public Works.

“Therefore, going forward as a country, it is paramount that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and private sector partners come together to promote engineering opportunities through scholarship programs for our brighter high school students upon graduation.

“I am proud to announce that next month the Ministry for Grand Bahama, in conjunction with The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, will conduct our annual technical and industrial career opportunities fair, with the assistance of the major industrial and maritime companies on Grand Bahama,” he said.

Dr. Darville recalled that last year, it was very successful and quite a few of the engineers employed in the industrial sector played a major role assisting ninth through twelfth grade students select career paths in engineering, science and technical and vocational careers.

Further, he told delegates that Franklin D. Roosevelt, former President of The United States once said ‘we cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.’ “As professionals therefore, we must continue to give back through training and community service. I wish to tip my hat to the executives of the Northern Branch of The Bahamas Society of Engineers, and congratulate you all for the progress made since chartering the first branch of The Bahamas Society of Engineers, outside of New Providence, approximately two years ago.

“I have not only heard, but seen the accomplishments of the current board, which includes an increase in membership from eight members to almost forty members. I am certain that the new slate of officers will carry this important division to even greater heights while protecting the rights of Bahamian engineers,” he stated.

Continuing, the Minister stressed that he, himself being a Canadian-trained engineer, understands the critical role that engineers play in planning, developing building and maintaining public infrastructure.

“The role of engineering for modern civilization is inherent in every aspect of our lives. In fact, rapid progress in the development of any country takes place through the application of engineering to different sectors, including road works, building of cities and infrastructure, sanitation systems, manufacturing industries and the list goes on.

“The crucial role of engineering for modern civilization is implicit in every aspect of our lives. It is predicted that over the next two decades, the world population will increase by an additional two billion people, with 95% of these people living in developing or underdeveloped countries.

“As engineers, we certainly must play a major role in the way forward as The Bahamas moves from a developing to a developed country. Considering the existing local and future global challenges, we must resolve to contribute to the development of a more sustainable, stable and equitable country, where local engineers lead the way in the modernization, technological and industrial expansion of our islands,” he said.

Continuing, the Minister for Grand Bahama said “from where I sit I am convinced that Grand Bahama Island is poised and will soon witness an industrial explosion. New projects in both the private and public sectors will be available, resulting in a surplus of employment opportunities for Bahamian engineers and other construction professionals.

“As outlined in Our Charter for Governance, this administration pledges to ensure meaningful participation of Bahamians to the greatest extent possible in all projects, government and foreign investments alike. However, we ask that you do your part in ensuring that high standards are upheld and the quality of your work is never compromised.

“As I have done in the past, I once again implore every engineer attached to this branch to partner with the Ministry of Labour and the Department of Immigration, moving forward, to ensure that when these projects come on stream, you are not overlooked.

“The Ministry for Grand Bahama is committed to protecting the rights of Bahamian professionals and to heighten awareness for a profession that will certainly play a critical role in creating structures and technologies that will aid us to sustain a decent quality of life for current and future generations on Grand Bahama Island.

“Finally colleagues, I believe that Grand Bahama has passed through the worst part of the storm and brighter days lie ahead. There is currently a shortage of engineers throughout the country and going forward as a government we must work closely with professional bodies like the Bahamas Society of Professional Engineers to ensure that there is a mechanism in place to ensure that every major project coming to the island of Grand Bahama allows for transference of knowledge to Bahamian professionals, as well as their economic empowerment,” he concluded.


Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Latest Headlines
Junkanoo Summer Festival Is Back, Bigger and Better
ZNS Celebrates 86th Anniversary with Church Service
Doctoral degree posthumously conferred to Hon. A.D. Hanna by University of The Bahamas
Select Jif Peanut Butter Products Recall - Update
Dr. Rodney Smith confers final degrees as President and CEO of UB: asks graduates to take the next step with an open mind