WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION

 TONIGHT, I HAVE CHOSEN TO BEGIN WITH THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION AND THE TOPIC “WATER”, ONE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE SURVIVAL OF MANKIND. ONE MAY ASK THE QUESTION:  WHAT IS WATER? THE MOST OBVIOUS ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS: “WATER IS COMPOSED FROM TWO CHEMICAL ELEMENTS, WHEN ASSOCIATED SEPARATELY ARE FOUND IN NATURE IN THE FORM OF GASES - HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN.  PAST GOVERNMENTS, IN MY OPINION, DID NOT PAY SUFFICIENT ATTENTION TO THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE POTABLE WATER FOR OUR PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE ARCHIPELAGO; I MUST NOTE THAT WATER IS MANDATORY TO MAN’S EXISTENCE.

FELLOW DELEGATES,   THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO MAKE THEIR MARK BY PRIVATIZING AND MODERNIZING COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRICITY BUT THEY FAILED.  WE ARE STILL CLEANING AND RESTORING WHAT WAS ATTEMPTED BUT WE WILL SHOW THEM HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE WITH WATER. 

 AS I INDICATED EARLIER, WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL.  ASK OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAT ISLAND, ACKLINS, LONG CAY, ELEUTHERA AND LONG ISLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE FAMILY ISLANDS. 

 FELLOW BAHAMIANS, WHILST THE OPPOSITION IS POSTURING ABOUT WHAT THEY DID AND DID NOT DO, THIS GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT ADDRESSING THE REAL ISSUES.  WHILST THEY FAIL TO SPEAK ABOUT THE REAL NATION BUILDING ISSUES THAT ARE TOPICAL NOW AND VERY MUCH PREVALENT DURING THEIR WATCH, WE ARE NOW ADDRESSING THEM. REMEMBER HOW HUBERT BOASTED THAT THE FNM FIXED THE INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT THE FAMILY ISLAND?? THAT WAS A SICK BOUGUS CLAIM. NOTHING COULD BE FUTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

 WE HAVE ASKED CAPABLE AND WILLING BAHAMIANS, FROM ALL POLITICAL DIVIDES, TO HELP US BUILD THIS NATION AS WE CONTINUE ON OUR QUEST TO MODERNIZE OUR COUNTRY.  FELLOW BAHAMIANS, UTILIZING PERRY CHRISTIE’S STYLE, OF ENCOURAGING FREE THINKING, I.E., THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX, THIS GOVERNMENT IS PLEASED TO TELL THE BAHAMAS THAT WE ARE DEVELOPING INOVATIVE MODELS TO MOVE OUR BELOVED COUNTRY FORWARD.

 THIS GOVERNMENT IS PLEASED TO INFORM BAHAMIANS THAT THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LONG ISLAND, ACKLINS, CAT ISLAND AND ALL OVER THE BAHAMAS, WILL ON AN ORGANIZED BASIS NOT  ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO MODERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRICITY BUT WE WILL DELIVER POTABLE WATER AS WELL.  UNDER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION, DESPITE HAVING 4 CABINET MINISTERS, WHOSE ROOTS LIE DEEP IN LONG ISLAND, QUALITY POTABLE WATER WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR LONG ISLANDERS.  HOWEVER, UNDER PERRY CHRISTIE’S WATCH QUALITY POTABLE WATER WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEADMAN’S CAY AREA.    THIS IS THE MANDATE OF PERRY CHRISTIE’S  PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY.

 FELLOW BAHAMIANS AND DELEGATES, WE HAVE TREMENDOUS LIQUIDITY IN OUR MONEY SYSTEM, DESPITE WHAT SOME MAY SAY.  I AM ADVISED THAT WE HAVE SOME $2.1 BILLION IN PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL BANK DEPOSITS, $1.2 BILLION IN NIB FUNDS AND $0.8 BILLION IN PRIVATE PENSION FUNDS. ENOUGH MONEY TO BE UTILIZED TO PROVIDE  FOR THE BETTERMENT,  “UP-LIFTMENT” AND ADVANCEMENT OF A BAHAMAS WHICH IS MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY.

 FELLOW BAHAMIANS IT GETS EVEN BETTER.  MY GOVERNMENT HAS A POLICY IN PLACE WHEREBY ALL NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR COUNTRY WILL HAVE TO UTILIZE ALL ESSENTIAL SERVICES, I.E., COMMUNICATIONS, ELECTRICITY AND WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES UNLESS THERE IS SOME COMPELLING CIRCUMSTANCES TO DO OTHERWISE.   THIS PHILOSOPHY DIFFERS FROM THAT OF FORMER GOVERNMENT.  .

 WATER IS THE ESSENCE OF MAN EXISTENCE AND WE WILL PROVIDE IT TO ALL AND SUNDRY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BAHAMIANS AND VISITORS.

 WE WILL ALSO INTRODUCE PROPER WASTEWATER AND SEWERAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES.   FELLOW BAHAMIANS  WATCH FOR THE ‘WATER BONDS’ IN NEW PROVIDENCE, EXUMA, AND LONG ISLAND AND ALL OVER, TO FUND WATER & SEWERAGE  DEVELOPMENTS.  LOOK FOR EXPANDED BAHAMIAN OWNERSHIP IN FUTURE RO PLANTS.  WE WILL RID OURSELVES OF THE OUTSIDE TOILETS IN THE OVER THE HILL AREAS, AND THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY. 

 THIS POTENTIAL WAS THERE DURING THE 9 ˝ YEARS OF THE PAST ADMINISTRATION BUT IT WASN’T REALIZED.  WE IN THE PLP RECOGNIZE IT FOR WHAT IT IS AND THE BAHAMAS WILL REAP THE REWARDS.  THIS IS WHAT GOOD GOVERNANCE IS ALL ABOUT.

THIS GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT INTRODUCING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL INTERESTED BAHAMIANS.  THIS GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT FORGING REAL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, BETWEEN THE WATER & SEWERAGE CORPORATION AND LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR, WHETHER IN CAT ISLAND, ELEUTHERA, EXUMA, MAYAGUANA AND ANY OTHER ISLAND IN ORDER TO PROVIDE GOOD DRINKING WATER TO OUR CITIZENS.

 THE PLP CARES, THE PLP LISTENS AND WE PRODUCE RESULTS.  WE ARE A TEAM – NOT A ONE MAN SHOW AND PERSONS TRYING TO RUSH US INTO BAD DECISIONS WILL NOT DETER US.  WE ARE ALL ABOUT SOUND DECISIONS IN MATTERS OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT; DECISIONS THAT ARE GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY.  THIS IS HOW A PARTY, MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY, FUNCTIONS. 

 OUR ‘INTEGRATED APPROACH’, WHICH INCLUDES A NEW NATIONAL WATER & WASTEWATER PROGRAM, IS DESIGNED TO UNITE BAHAMIANS SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT, DESTINY AND BIRTHRIGHT.  IT IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THE ECONOMIC MODEL THAT SAW CABLE BAHAMAS PLACED IN THE HANDS OF A MONOPOLY DOESN’T RE-OCCUR. IT IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THE BAHAMIAN SAVINGS SITTING IN THE BANKS, WITH LITTLE OR NO RETURN, HAS A CHANCE TO EARN GREATER RETURNS THEREBY FACILITATING THIS COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC GROWTH, AS OPPOSED TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

  PROJECTS

 OVER THE NEXT 12 – 24 MONTHS WE WILL SEE THE FOLLOWING MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY, ALL BY WAY OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

NEW PROVIDENCE:

• A 5MGPD REVERSE OSMOSIS PLANT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN BLUE HILLS AND A NEW RO PLANT WILL BE BUILT IN THE AREA NEAR ARAWAK CAY.  A NEW RO PLANT WILL ALSO BE BUILT IN WINTON TO PROVIDE POTABLE WATER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT.  FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF THIS PLANT, BARGING OF WATER FROM ANDROS WILL BE DISCONTINUED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WILL BE MAJOR UPGRADES, REINSTATEMENT AND EXPANSION TO OUR WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN NEW PROVIDENCE.   FELLOW DELEGATES, THE REALITY IS THAT IT HAS BECOME CHEAPER TO PRODUCE WATER USING RO PLANTS IN COMPARISON TO THE HIGH COST OF BARGING WATER FROM ANDROS.
• PROPER WASTEWATER PLANTS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN NEW PROVIDENCE, TO COINCIDE WITH BAHA MAR AND KERZNER’S DEVELOPMENTS, WHILST AT THE SAME TIME FACILITATING LOCAL DEMANDS.  THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR PLAN TO ERADICATE OUTSIDE TOILETS AND INTRODUCE A PROPER 1^ST WORLD SEWERAGE SYSTEM HERE ON THE ISLAND OF NEW PROVIDENCE;

 ABACO:

• AN RO PLANT WILL BE BUILT IN GREEN TURTLE CAY TO PROVIDE POTABLE WATER FOR THE RESIDENTS ON THAT CAY.  PCD SEPTEMBER 2006.

 ACKLINS:

• RO PLANTS WILL BE BUILT IN SNUG CORNER AND SALINA POINT; AND WATER MAIN DEVELOPMENTS IN BOTH COMMUNITIES;  PCD OCTOBER 2006

 ANDROS:

•  AN RO PLANT IN SOUTH ANDROS TO COVER THE AREA FROM BLUFF TO MARS BAY AND THE EXTENSION OF THE WATER MAINS. PCD APRIL 2007

 BERRY ISLAND:

• AN RO PLANT IN GREAT HARBOUR CAY/BULLOCKS HARBOUR AREA; PCD SEPTEMBER 2006

 CAT ISLAND:

•  RO PLANT WILL BE REQUIRED IN NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH CAT ISLAND AND THE INSTALLATION OF WATER MAINS THROUGHOUT CAT ISLAND. THE WIL BE LOCATED IN THE  CENTRAL CAT ISLAND. PCD OCTOBER 2007.

 CROOKED ISLAND:

•  A DEVELOPER IS COMMITED TO PROVIDE RO WATER TO THE PITTS TOWN AND LANDRAIL POINT AREA.   WATER MAIN DEVELOPMENTS IS REQUIRED IN COLONEL HILL/CHURCH GROVE/CABBAGE HILL.

 ELEUTHERA:

• THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS HAS RECENTLY APPROVED THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN RO PLANT IN CENTRAL ELEUTHERA TO PROVIDE WATER FOR CENTRAL ELEUTHERA, AND EXTENDING TO HARBOUR ISLAND AND SPANISH WELLS. RO WATER WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE RESIDENTS OF ROCK SOUND EXTENDING TO TARPUM BAY.  WATER MAINS WILL BE EXTENDED FROM ROCK SOUND TO TARPUM BAY.

EXUMA:

• RO PLANT IN LITTLE EXUMA AND WATER MAINS DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION TO ROLLEVILLE, STUARTS MANOR, CURTIS AND LITTLE EXUMA. PCD OCTOBER 2007

LONG ISLAND:

•  AS MENTIONED EARLIER, PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO EXTEND POTABLE WATER FROM TURTLE COVE TO HARD BARGAIN IN THE SOUTH SOME 12 MILES AND NOTHWARDLY FROM GRAYS TO THOMPSON BAY   IN THE NORTH. AN RO PLANT WILL BE BUILT IN THE NORTH TO COVER THE REMAINING NOTHERN SETTLEMENTS. PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WILL BE THE VEHICLE EMPLOYED TO FINALIZE PORATBLE WATER FOR LONG ISLAND. PCD SEPTEMBER 2007

 LONG CAY:

•  AN RO PLANT WILL BE BUILT AND WATER MAINS WILL BE INSTALLED IN ALBERT TOWN;

 MAYAGUANA:

•  THE MAJOR INVESTOR IN MAYAGUANA WILL BE MANDATED TO PROVIDE RO WATER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THAT ISLAND.

 RAGGED ISLAND:

• AN RO PLANT CURRENTLY PROVIDES POTABLE WATER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF DUNCAN TOWN AND THE INSTALLATION OF WATER MAINS IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE WHEN OTHER MAJOR WORKS BEGINS ON THAT ISLAND IN 2006.

  SAN SALVADOR:

•  AN RO PLANT HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED AND A CONTRACT TO EXTEND WATER MAINS TO UNITED ESTATES WILL BE SHORTLY AWARDED UP TO ALL SETTLEMENTS IN THE VICINITY OF UNITED ESTATES.

Remarks were edited to capture WSC's information only.