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Last Updated: Feb 20, 2017 - 6:38:01 PM |
 Nassau, Bahamas - Remarks by Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, Q.C., M.P. Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Public Works & Urban Development on the Occasion of the Official Launch of The Bahamas Water Supply Improvement Project Monday, 20th February 2017, 9:00 a.m. British Colonial Hotel, One Bay Street
At once, I bring apologies on behalf of our Prime Minister, whose schedule has obligated him elsewhere.
I am privileged to serve as the Minister during this defining age of development for the Water and Sewerage Corporation. This ceremony marks this Government’s fulfilled promise to ensure access for all Bahamian communities to piped potable water.
When we renamed the Corporation’s administrative offices last year in honour of former manager E. George Moss, I said that water is a big deal. This reason alone can provide the basis for fully support this $41M Water Improvement Programme.
It is critically important that consumers receive (and to be able to recognise that they receive) good value for money and high standards in water services, comparing well when benchmarked with global parallels. We know that the Corporation is succeeding in its focused efforts to meet this target, because the level of customer satisfaction has obviously improved over the last five years.
The Corporation has become a premier public utility provider for The Bahamas. The Corporation’s customers and potential customers wherever they reside – along Sapodilla Boulevard in Pinewood Gardens or Mars Bay, South Andros or Arthurs Town, Cat Island or Colonel Hill, Crooked Island – they are all demanding world class potable piped water delivered on a 24/7 basis, with excellent pressure, clear in appearance and perfect to their taste buds.
Our National Development Plan, Vision 2040, is based in science and reason. Among our strengths, it recognised recent infrastructure improvements, among them, “New water pipes and fresh water production plants built”. The Water and Sewerage Corporation ought to be very proud of this validation.
This is a big deal! I encourage the Corporation and all of its stakeholders to continue their best efforts toward achieving the Programme’s goals and objectives within the agreed timelines and within budget.
Ladies and Gentlemen
With this in view, we thank the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for facilitating the loan of $28M, which provides partial funding for this water improvement programme that is essential to generate greater economic growth. This cooperative effort between the Bank and the Government of The Bahamas signals our continued international goodwill, which confirms that we pay our bills on time, every time.
While the Loan Agreement was executed in November of last year, components of the programme had long been initiated and are well underway. In fact, I am advised me of progress in three key areas of New Providence.
In Pinewood Gardens, Phase “B” Area, the project is substantially complete. The new piped water supply system was recently commissioned and Corporation teams are actively working to connect 300 homeowners, whose applications have been processed. The Corporation is diligently working to secure applications from the remaining homes.
In Coral Lakes, this project is also substantially complete and the new piped water supply system has been commissioned. One hundred twenty-five (125) applications have been processed and many of these connections have already been installed. Teams are working to secure applications from the remaining homes.
In Boatswain Hill, the project is nearing completion and this system should be commissioned in the coming days. One hundred (100) applications have been processed for this area, and I am advised that Corporation’s teams are diligently canvassing the area to secure additional connections.
The new water connections are being offered to residents free of charge. This offer is good while the works are ongoing. Residents are, therefore, encouraged to make application now.
This is a big deal! Prior to the commencement of this project, none of the mentioned areas had piped water supply. For the most part, residents supplied themselves with water from private wells. Detailed studies, however, have confirmed that the vast majority of these private wells are contaminated and unfit for potable use.
These three (3) areas, represented the largest areas of New Providence with no piped water previously. Now that they have been addressed, the Corporation has commenced the preparation of a cost estimate to provide a piped water supply for Millers Heights and any remaining pockets of New Providence with no piped water supply.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Each constituent, wherever they choose to live, has the right of access to essential services. That is why our Family Islands cannot been left out.
For South Andros, the contract for a new piped water supply, inclusive of over 20 miles of new water mains and 600 service connections, was awarded during November of last year. I am advised that the Contractor has mobilised and his materials are expected on island in the coming days. We expect works to commence immediately thereafter.
What was once only a dream to so many in South Andros based on promises for so many years, will become a reality in short order. South Andros will have water class, piped, desalinated water for the first time in its history. This is a big deal!
For my San Salvador, I am pleased to confirm that last month, a contract was awarded for the installation of nine (9) miles of new water mains and one hundred (160) service connections. This project will bring much needed relief for the remaining residents of San Salvador who do not have a piped water supply.
For my beloved Cat Island, I am particularly delighted to report that tendering for works there will commence next month. This means that Cat Island, for the first time in its history, will be provided with world class, piped, desalinated water. I have the singular honour to represent my father and his people at such a time as this.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Corporation’s management has also confirmed that in the coming months, as a part of this Programme, works will be tendered for a substantial extension of the existing Central Long Island Water Supply System northward to Salt Pond and southward to Clarence Town and Locobar. This Long Island Project also includes the supply of two (2) new Water Tanker trucks, which have already been acquired and shipped to Long Island to provide potable water supply to those beyond the piped water supply network.
Tendering works will also proceed for a new piped Water Supply System for Colonel Hill and Cabbage Hill in Crooked Island and for various system improvement on Eleuthera in the coming months.
I wish to publicly salute the General Manager and his team for their excellent work thus far. I thank the various consultants and contractors who have engaged in improving the lot of our residents. I also thank all stakeholders present who have supported this project in some form.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I cannot say it too often. Water is a big deal! This Government remains committed to bringing about world class piped potable water to each and every Bahamian at the earliest possible opportunity. We know that these improvements combined with other infrastructural improvements will spur greater economic development and an overall improvement in the quality of life for all of these communities in the medium term.
In the short term, these projects will create jobs and small contractor opportunities for members for these communities as they provide goods and services to support these projects.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I was pleased to note that this ceremony signals the start of a 2-day workshop for all project stakeholders. I was also pleased to note that, on Wednesday, the CDB, in conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will host a Procurement Fair for local Consultants and Contractors.
I wish all of you successful deliberations and look forward to your conclusions. For our visitors, please find time to enjoy the wonders of our island. Get some sand between your toes. That will guarantee your return.
With that, I am very pleased to officially launch The Bahamas Water Supply Improvement Project.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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