RIGHT HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER AND PARTY LEADER, PERRY GLADSTONE CHRISTIE AND LADY CHRISTIE; HONOURABLE CYNTHIA MOTHER PRATT DEPUTY LEADER PRIME MINISTER AND MR. PRATT; HONOURABLE CABINET MINISTERS AND YOUR SPOUSES, HONOURABLE SENATORS, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, PARTY CHAIRMAN RAYNARD RIGBY AND MRS. RIGBY, STALWART COUNSELORS; PARTY OFFICERS, CONVENTION DELEGATES, THE WONDERFUL AND FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF THE BAIN AND GRANTS TOWN CONSTITUENCY, PLPs IN THIS PLACE TONIGHT AND ELSEWHERE, CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT BAHAMA LAND, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

OPENING REMARKS

IN THIS OUR 49TH CONVENTION, WE OF THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY MUST ALWAYS GIVE ALL THE PRAISE AND GLORY TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR HOW FAR HE HAS BROUGHT THE BAHAMAS AND THE FACT THAT HE ALLOWED AND STILL ALLOWS THE PLP TO BE A VEHICLE OF NATIONAL PROGRESS.

AT EVERY MILESTONE IN BAHAMIAN HISTORY, THE PLP HAS LED THE WAY IN BRINGING CLARITY, SERIOUSNESS, A CONCERN FOR THE MASSES AND A SENSE OF SECURITY FOR THE OPPRESSED AND THE DOWNTRODDEN. THE PLP TAKES SERIOUSLY THE FUNCTIONING OF THE NATION BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WITHOUT STABILITY IN A POLITICAL PARTY THERE IS NO CHANCE OF STABILITY IN DECISION-MAKING. WE ARE THE OLDEST, MOST STABLE AND UNIFIED POLITICAL PARTY IN THE BAHAMAS. AND WE MOVE FORWARD IN UNITY TO BUILD A BETTER BAHAMAS.

FELLOW DELEGATES, UNLIKE THE FNM, THE PLP DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY IS TO LEAVE THE NATION TO GUESS AT THE 11TH HOUR WHO WILL BE THE LEADER! THE PLP DOES NOT CREATE FALSE STARTS BY SAYING ‘I’M RUNNING, I’M NOT RUNNING’ THEREBY LEAVING EVEN YOUR OWN PARTY MEMBERS IN TOTAL CONFUSION AS TO WHAT COURSE THE POLITICAL-DIRECTORATE WILL BE TAKING! NO STABLE POLITICAL PARTY SHOULD BE SO DUPLICITIOUS AND CONTEMPTUOUS OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP.

FELLOW DELEGATES AND THOSE UNDER THE SOUND OF MY VOICE, THE PLP CERTAINLY DOES NOT SET UP INTERIM LEADERSHIP KNOWING WELL IT’S ONLY BEING DONE IN THE HOPES OF FAILURE, SO THE PERPETRATOR CAN COME BACK TO LEAD AGAIN! NO POLITICAL PARTY SHOULD BE SEEN AS BEING SO DANGEROUSLY DEVIOUS. WHAT WE SAW LAST WEEK WAS NOT A SIGN OF STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY, BUT ONE OF VERY LITTLE INTEGRITY! THAT IS NOT HOW THE PLP DETERMINES THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. FOR WHEN THE PLP AGREES ON SOMETHING, WE TRULY AGREE.

FELLOW DELEGATES THE PLP IS NOT LIKE THE TREACHEROUS FNM. WHEN WE TAKE A DECISION ON A MATTER, WE DO AGREE AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD IN UNITY. ALL THE FNM CAN DO AND HAS EVER DONE IS AGREE TO DISAGREE! LAST YEAR THE FNM CLAIMED TO BE ‘UNITED AND IGNITED.’ BUT THE FACT IS THAT THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE EVER BEEN UNITED IN--IS IGNITING THEIR PARTY WITH TONS OF DYNAMITE LACED WITH DISSENSION! THE FNM CANNOT AGREE ON WHOM THEY WANT AS THEIR LEADER AND THEY CAN’T GET WHAT THEY NEED FOR A LEADER!

AFTER 35 YEARS AS A POLITICAL PARTY, THE FNM WAS ONLY ABLE TO COME TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE A TEN-YEAR RUN AS A GOVERNMENT. AND EVEN THEN IT WAS UNDER A RENEGADE PLP! AND FOR EACH DAY OF THOSE TEN YEARS, THE FNM WAS CUSSING THEIR PLP LEADER. AND IN THE END AT A HOSTILE MEETING IN HOLY TRINITY CHURCH HALL IN 2002 WHAT DID HUBERT SAY, ‘I’M GONNA LEAVE DEM THEY WAY I FOUND DEM!’

NOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A HABITUAL LIAR TO EVER TELL THE TRUTH, ON THAT DAY THE TRUTH WAS TOLD! AND WITH THE LATEST LEADERSHIP MOVE THE FNM MADE LAST WEEK, THERE SHOULD BE A BAHAMIAN LOTTERY TO SEE HOW LONG IT WILL BE BEFORE THEY ARE CUSSING EACH OTHER AGAIN! AFTER 35 YEARS, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. SO THE QUESTION STILL REMAINS, 35 YEARS LATER, AS TO WHO AND WHAT IS AN FNM? NOT KNOWING WHO THEY ARE IS THE ONLY THING THE FNM IS UNIFIED IN AGREEMENT WITH. BUT AFTER FIFTY YEARS AS THE OLDEST POLITICAL PARTY, THE PLP IS STILL MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY TO BUILD A BETTER BAHAMAS!

FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE, THE ROLE OF AN MP AND CABINET MINISTER IS AN AWESOME TASK FILLED WITH NEW CHALLENGES EVERYDAY. AS A CABINET MINISTER IN PARTICULAR, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I AM NEVER OFF-DUTY, AND THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS. BUT WITH THE HELP OF MANY BAHAMIANS AND THE WIDER PUBLIC AT-LARGE, I AM CONSTANTLY RENEWED. WITH THE PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES OF WATER & SEWERAGE, PUBLIC WORKS, BEC, BTC AND BAHAMASAIR, I COULDN’T POSSIBLY GET THE JOB DONE WITHOUT THE HELP OF SO MANY PERSONS IN THE PUBLIC ARENA.

HENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL CONCERNED PERSONS WHO IF THERE IS A WATER SHORTAGE, YOU EMAIL ME. IF THERE IS A PUBLIC WORKS PROBLEM, YOU EMAIL ME. IF THERE IS A BEC PROBLEM, YOU EMAIL ME. IF THERE IS A BTC PROBLEM, YOU EMAIL ME. AND IF THERE IS A BAHAMASAIR PROBLEM, YOU EMAIL ME. I THANK ALL PERSONS WHO NOTIFY ME OF POSSIBLE AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OCCURRING THAT AFFECTS MY PORTFOLIO-RESPONSIBILITIES, FOR YOU KNOW I AM ONLY ONE MAN AND CANNOT SEE EVERYTHING OR BE EVERYWHERE AT THE SAME TIME.

FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU APPRECIATE THAT I TRY MY BEST TO ADDRESS ALL YOUR EMAILS OF CONCERN AND IN TURN, PASS ON THOSE CONCERNS TO THE RELEVANT AGENCIES. SO I THANK EVERY BAHAMIAN, PERMANENT RESIDENT AND VISITOR ALIKE FOR MAKING ME AWARE OF THINGS THAT ARE HUMANELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE ON MY OWN. WHEN THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATES WITH THEIR SERVANTS IN BEING VIGILANT ABOUT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BAHAMAS, THEN WE ARE TRULY MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY TO BUILD A BETTER BAHAMAS.

BUT FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE, JUST AS I THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME ABREAST OF THE MINOR PROBLEMS, THAT IF LEFT UNATTENDED, WILL TURN INTO MAJOR PROBLEMS; I MUST ALSO APOLOGIZE TO THE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC. I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING KNOWN AHEAD OF TIME THAT SOMEONE LEFT THE GATE TO THE DUNGEON UNLOCKED. THE DUNGEON THAT HUBERT INGRAHAM WAS IN FROM 2002!

AND NOW THAT THE ABACO DRAGON IS OUT AND ON THE LOOSE, I AM SURE YOU ALL WOULD KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, RIGHT? THOUGH I WOULD HAVE NEVER LET HIM OUT OF THE DUNGEON AND SINCE I AM PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIM BEING IN THAT DUNGEON IN THE FIRST PLACE—I NOW HAVE TO HUNT THAT ABACO DRAGON DOWN AGAIN! BUT WHEN I CATCH HIM THIS TIME HE WILL BE LOCKED UP FOR GOOD! AND THAT IS A MOVE FORWARD THAT I AM SURE WE’LL BE UNITED IN, FOR IT WOULD MAKE FOR A BETTER BAHAMAS!

FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE, THIS TIME THE ABACO DRAGON WON’T BE ABLE TO CLOSE DOWN THE PARLIAMENT AND GO TO ELECTIONS, LIKE HE DID AS PM ON JANUARY 16, 2002 ALL BECAUSE HE DIDN’T WANT ME TO GO ANY FURTHER INTO HIS PAST OF FOREIGN DEALINGS. SO LET THE ABACO DRAGON KNOW THAT I SAY, YOU’RE NOW THE LEADER OF THE FNM, SO WHEN IT GETS HOT IN THE PARLIAMENT KITCHEN, YOU CAN’T PACK UP YOUR BAG, LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO, AND RUN FOR YOUR LIFE LEAVING THE FNM DEFENSELESS! AND YOUR DEPUTY WON’T HELP YOU OR DEFEND YOU WHEN YOU RUN--BECAUSE HE’S TRYING TO TAKE YOUR PLACE!

FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE TELL HUBERT INGRAHAM THAT I SAID, PREPARE TO TAKE SEVERE BLOWS, BECAUSE THEY ARE SURELY COMING. AND SINCE THE ABACO DRAGON AND THE FNM SAYS THEIR SLOGAN IS ‘READY TO SERVE,’ I HOPE HE AND THEM ARE “READY TO RECEIVE’ WHAT’S WAITING FOR THEM—NOW MORE THAN EVER! THE ABACO DRAGON HAS AT LEAST ONE SERIOUS QUESTION OF A CRIMINAL NATURE TO ANSWER. AND THIS TIME THE PLP WILL MOVE FORWARD IN UNITY TO MAKE HIM ANSWER!

ACCUSATIONS
FELLOW DELEGATES, THE HOLY BIBLE IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS CHAPTER 23 V.1 SPEAKS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE ALTAR SEEKING JUSTICE BASED ON ACCUSATIONS, WHICH ARE NOTHING MORE THAN BELIEFS WITHOUT BASIS IN FACT AND I QUOTE:

“DO NOT PASS ALONG UNTRUE REPORTS. DO NOT COOPERATE WITH AN EVIL MAN BY OFFERING ON THE WITNESS STAND SOMETHING YOU KNOW IS FALSE.”

FELLOW DELEGATES,  THE LIFE OF A PUBLIC FIGURE CAN BE FRAUGHT WITH TREACHEROUS BENDS AND SLOPES WHEN ONES PERSONAL BEHAVIOR IS BROUGHT INTO QUESTION BASED ON ACCUSATIONS OR LIES. AND IN THAT REGARD, I HAVE NOT BEEN EXCLUDED FROM SUCH AN EXPERIENCE. IT WAS LATE LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS FALSELY ACCUSED OF A SERIOUS MATTER. IN MY BELIEF IT IS AS HEINOUS A CRIME AS MURDER, ROBBERY AND TREASON. I WAS ACCUSED, BUT AT EVERY JUNCTURE THERE WAS NO BASIS IN FACT OR EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE ACCUSATION. THE FACT THAT THE VIRTUAL COMPLAINANT VOLUNTARILY AND UNEQUIVOCALLY WITHDREW THE ACCUSATION, SPEAKS LOUDLY TO THE DANGER OF PERSONS RUNNING WILD WITH ACCUSATIONS BECAUSE THEY HOPE IT TO BE TRUE FOR WHATEVER THEIR BIZARRE REASONING.

FELLOW DELEGATES,  I HAVE NEVER, EVER ASSAULTED ANYONE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE NO INTENTIONS OR DESIRES, AT THE AGE OF 60-PLUS, TO START NOW. BUT YET AT THE FNM CONVENTION LAST WEEK AND VARIOUS TIMES IN THE MEDIA, I AM STILL ACCUSED AS IF THE MATTER HASN’T BEEN TRUTHFULLY SETTLED AND AM EXPECTED ALONG WITH THE PLP TO PAY A COST FOR THIS ACCUSATION.  ACCUSATIONS CAN BE LEVIED AT ANYONE AT ANYTIME. IS THAT GROUNDS FOR A PUBLIC FIGURE TO RESIGN? ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW THAT MISFIT FNM POLITICIANS AND THEIR BRAINLESS GOONS ARE LURKING DAY AND NIGHT IN THE HOPES OF FINDING SOMETHING TO TAKE THE POLITICAL STRIPES OFF OF THEIR OPPONENTS?

AND HOW MANY TIMES DURING THE FNM’S REIGN DID ANY ONE OF THEM  RESIGN OVER ACCUSATIONS MOVING ACROSS THE FULL SPECTRUM OF DASTARD, UNSPEAKABLE AND TREACHEROUS BEHAVIOR? THEY MUST HAVE CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN THAT DURING THEIR TIME THERE WERE DASTARDLY ALLEGATIONS OF A BREAK-IN AND THEFT BY AN MP; TWO UNSPEAKABLE ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE AND ONE BEING OF A MINOR; AND OF COURSE THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN PARLIAMENT AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT TREASON, TO WHICH NO BELIEVABLE RESPONSE IN THE BAHAMAS, NOR ABROAD BROUGHT A SATISFACTORY ANSWER.

I AM WELL AWARE WHAT ACCUSATIONS CAN DO TO A PERSON’S REPUTATION AND EVEN TO THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND IN THIS CASE, THEIR POLITICAL PARTY AS WELL. AND THAT IS WHY IN THE PAST, AND EVEN IN THE FUTURE, IF I BROUGHT OR BRING AN ACCUSATION—I ALREADY KNOW IT’S TRUE BECAUSE I HAVE THE FACTS TO BACK IT UP.  AND THE PEOPLE OF LONG ISLAND COULD ATTEST TO THE CORRECTNESS OF MY DISCLOSURE ON THE LONG ISLAND DOSSIER.

BUT I NOTED CARL BETHEL, CARON SHEPARD, LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER, KAY SMITH-FORBES, SIDNEY COLLIE AND ALVIN SMITH, WHO SAW FIT LAST WEEK TO BRING UP THE STALE AND UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TO DEVIOUSLY MISGUIDE AN INNOCENT PUBLIC; I COULD ACCUSE THEM OF THINGS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY CALL FOR THEM TO RESIGN FROM PUBLIC LIFE—BUT ALSO A CAUSE THEM TO BE EXCOMMUNICATED FROM THE CHRISTIAN FAITH! AND GUESS WHAT? I WOULD HAVE THE FACTS!

SO FELLOW DELEGATES, I AM NOW ISSUING WHAT SOME WOULD CALL A WARNING TO THOSE WISHING ILL-WILL TO MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, THE PLP AND MYSELF. I AM ASKING THAT YOU ‘CEASE AND DESIST WITH REHASHING AN ALLEGATION THAT DID NOT FLY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OR BASIS IN FACT. AND YOU KNEW THAT. YOU TRIED TO GET BIG BAD BRAD, AS YOU LIKE TO CALL ME. AND YOU FAILED. NOW PICK UP WHAT LITTLE CHIPS YOU HAVE LEFT AND TRY TO GET LUCKY AND WIN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. YOU HAD YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME LAST WEEK AT YOUR CONVENTION, NOW MOVE ON BECAUSE I WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN YOU WILL EVER HAVE TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE LIVING IN GLASS HOUSES AND THROWING STONES.’

FELLOW DELEGATES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET US ALL HOPE THAT THIS IS THE LAST TIME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DETOUR FROM MY MINISTERIAL-RESPONSIBILITIES TO ADDRESS SOMETHING SO PAINFUL AND BIZARRE AND SOMETHING THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. FOR IF THERE IS A NEXT TIME, IT WILL BE A HOLY WAR TO THE VERY END AND SINCE THE FNM CLAIMS THEY ARE ‘READY’—I HOPE THERE’LL BE ‘READY’ FOR THAT!

MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIO

FELLOW DELEGATES,  THE FNM CLAIMS THAT THEY ARE READY TO SERVE, NOW MORE THAN EVER. WELL I WONDER IF THEY ARE ALSO READY TO TELL THE TRUTH, NOW MORE THAN EVER? HUBERT INGRAHAM, LAST FRIDAY NIGHT PROCLAIMED THAT HE STANDS ON HIS RECORD AND ALL OF WHAT HE LEFT BEHIND, THE PLP HAS SQUANDERED. I WANT THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE TO KNOW OF A FEW IMPORTANT ITEMS THAT HUBERT INGRAHAM AND THE FNM LEFT BEHIND:

• OVER $75 MILLION OF DEBT FOR LAND COMPULSORY ACQUIRED FOR WHICH NOT A SINGLE PENNY WAS PAID.
• OVER $15 MILLION IN STUDENT LOANS DEFAULTS UNDER THE STUDENT EDUCATIONAL LOAN PROGRAM WHICH WAS POORLY AND DISGRACEFULLY IMPLEMENTED UNDER THE WATCH OF HUBERT INGRAHAM.
• OVER $65 MILLION NEEDED FOR THE REPAVING OF RUNWAYS, APRONS ETC AT NASSAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHICH WERE IN SUCH A NIGHTMARISH STATE AWAITING DISASTER OF GRAVE AND MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS TO LIVES OF BAHAMIANS AND VISITORS.
• OVER $2 MILLION NEEDED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BOLLARDS FENDERS AND PAVING RESULTING IN CRUISE LINES THREATENING TO WITHDRAW THEIR SHIPS FROM THE BAHAMAS.
• LEAVING MARSH HARBOUR AIRPORT, THE THIRD BUSIEST AIRPORT IN THE BAHAMAS, IN A DILIPATED STATE.
• INSTALLATION OF WATER LINES YEARS IN ADVANCE IN INAGUA AND LONG ISLAND WHICH RESULTED IN ADDITIONAL COST BECAUSE OF DETORIATION OF CERTAIN PARTS. AND NO ACTION WAS INITIATED BY THE FNM GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE QUALITY WATER TO LONG ISLAND.
• SHORTLY AFTER COMING TO OFFICE WE WERE FACED WITH THE FNM GOVERNMENT NPRIP WHICH WENT BELLY-UP DUE TO THE SELECTED CONTRACTOR GOING INTO BANKRUPTCY.   THIS CREATED TREMENDOUS ANXIETY ON THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC AS ATTEMPS TO RECURIT A REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR WAS MET WITH ANY NUMBER OF OBSTICLES AND RED TAPE.  IN THE END YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT DID WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE BY ENGAGING QUALIFIED BAHAMAINS AND MEDIUM SIZE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS TO JOINT VENTURE WITH BAHAMAINS.

WE ALSO INHERITED:
• CONSTANT POWER BLACKOUTS;
• 53% in NRW (UNACCOUNTED FOR WATER) @ WSC;
• NO NATIONAL WATER PROGRAM IN PLACE;
• $22.0 MILLION IN ANNUAL SUBSIDY TO BAHAMASAIR WITH A NET LOSS OF $32.0 MILLION IN 2001.

THIS IS BUT SOME OF THE MONUMENTAL MESS LEFT BEHIND BY THE FNM ADMINISTRATION AND A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF HUBERT INGRAHAM’S LEGACY THAT HE HAS CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN TO TELL THE PUBLIC.
 
NEVERTHELESS FELLOW DELEGATES, THE PLP IS MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY TO BUILD A BETTER BAHAMAS. HENCE IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT I GIVE YOU AN OVERALL VIEW OF RECENT THINGS DONE IN THE MINISTRY UNDER MY  PORTFOLIO AS WELL AS SOME OF THE FUTURE PROJECTS THAT YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT WILL BE UNDERTAKING.

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 ½ 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 1ST 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.
?
BAHAMASAIR

CONVENTION DELEGATES AND MY FELLOW BAHAMIANS LET ME NOW BRING YOU UP TO DATE ON OUR NATIONAL FLAG CARRIER, BAHAMASAIR.
LET ME BEGIN BY TELLING YOU THAT THE GLOBAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY WILL LOSE OVER $6 BILLION THIS YEAR WITH SIMILAR LOSSES HAVING OCCURRED ANNUALLY IN RECENT YEARS.  THIS GLOOMY OUTLOOK HAS BEEN PRECIPITATED MOSTLY BY EXTERNAL EVENTS AND MORE RECENTLY THE ADVENT OF THE LOW COST CARRIERS AND THE ESCALATING COST OF FUEL.
MOST OF THE HOUSEHOLD NAME U.S. AIRLINES ARE PRESENTLY IN BANKRUPTCY AS I PREDICTED AT OUR LAST CONVENTION AND IN OTHER FORUMS.  EVEN JET BLUE, THE PREMIER US LOW COST CARRIER, LOST MONEY IN THE SECOND QUARTER THIS YEAR.
AIR JAMAICA WILL REPORTEDLY LOSE OVER US$100 MILLION THIS YEAR AND BWIA WILL LOSE OVER $60 MILLION.
ALL LEGACY AIRLINES SUCH AS BAHAMASAIR ARE LOSING MONEY AND HAVE UNDERGONE AND ARE UNDERGOING MAJOR RESTRUCTURING INCLUDING MASSIVE STAFF LAYOFFS, PAY CUTS, CHANGE IN WORK RULES AND OTHER COST SAVING INITIATIVES.  THE OUTLOOK FOR MANY OF THEM REMAINS BLEAK.
UNDER THE PLP’S STEWARDSHIP SINCE MAY ’02 WE HAVE STAYED THE COURSE ARTICULATED IN “OUR PLAN” RELATIVE TO THE AIRLINE.  THE LOSSES AT BAHAMASAIR HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FROM $86.2 MILLION IN THE LAST THREE YEARS OF THE FNM’S TENURE TO $56.8 MILLION FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS UNDER THE PLP.  BAHAMASAIR HAS OUTSOURCED ALL OF ITS ANDROS ROUTES WHICH WERE LOW DEMAND ROUTES, BASED ON OUR FLEET.  FELLOW DELEGATES BAHAMASAIR HAS INCREASED THE TOURIST SEGMENT OF ITS PASSENGER MIX FROM 12% - 15%.  BAHAMASAIR HAS OPENED MANY INTERNATIONAL SALES CHANNELS THROUGH THE INTERNET LIKE EXPEDIA, TRAVELOCITY, ORBITZ AND OTHERS.
DURING FISCAL YEARS ’03 AND ’04 ALMOST ALL MAJOR INDICATORS, FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL, HAVE TRENDED POSITIVELY INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS; AVAILABLE SEAT MILES; REVENUE PER AVAILABLE SEAT MILE; COST PER AVAILABLE SEAT MILE; ON TIME PERFORMANCE AND THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS HAVE ALL DECLINED.
THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY DECLINED FROM $55.9 MILLION TO $52.6 MILLION OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS COMPARED TO THE FINAL THREE YEARS OF THE FNM’S REGIME.
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE POSITIVELY IMPACTED SHAREHOLDER VALUE AND THE PERCEPTION OF THE AIRLINE.  THE KEY STIMULANT FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS WAS THE ACQUISITION OF THE FOUR ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT WHICH WERE ALL ACQUIRED ON ATTRACTIVE TERMS AND SERVED TO GREATLY IMPROVE THE AIRLINE’S RELIABILITY.
TREMENDOUS STRIDES HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE IN AUTOMATING OUR SALES CHANNELS.  ANYONE, ANYWHERE CAN NOW BOOK ON BAHAMASAIR FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOME OR OFFICE OVER THE INTERNET.
IN SPITE OF OUR FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, BAHAMASAIR UNDERTOOK TO REFURBISH THE DOMESTIC TERMINAL AT THE NASSAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND RELOCATED ITS FREEPORT TICKET OFFICE TO MORE MODERN AND COMFORTABLE QUARTERS TO BETTER SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

WE HAVE BROUGHT TRANSPARENCY TO BAHAMASAIR’S OPERATIONS AND HAVE KEPT THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU THE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC WITHOUT HAVING TO EXPLAIN AWAY SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL.
THE UNRELENTING LOW COST CARRIERS AND THE COST OF FUEL IS MAKING IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN THIS POSITIVE FINANCIAL TREND.  AS IF THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH YOU MAY HAVE READ RECENTLY IN THE PRESS WHERE SPIRIT AIRLINE WILL INTRODUCE IN JANUARY ’06, A STAMPEDE PROMOTION WHICH WILL EFFECTIVELY ENABLE THEIR PASSENGERS TO TRAVEL FOR $9 ON THE 9TH,  $10 ON THE 10TH AND SO ON THROUGH THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JANUARY 2006.  THIS KIND OF LOW COST CARRIER MADNESS CAN ONLY PRECIPITATE THE DEMISE OF THE REST OF THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.
NEKO GRANT AT THE FNM’S CONVENTION MADE REFERENCE TO THREE JETS SITTING IDLE ON THE TARMAC.  NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH AND MR. GRANT MUST REALLY STOP BLATANTLY LYING.  WHAT IS TRUE IS THAT   BAHAMASAIR HAS HAD TO SPARINGLY USE THE TWO JETS ACQUIRED BY THE FNM IN ORDER TO STRETCH THEIR USEFUL LIFE TO THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN THEY WILL BE RETIRED BECAUSE MORE THAN 75% OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE WAS EXPENDED BEFORE THEY WERE PURCHASED BY THE FNM WITHOUT TECHNICAL COMPETENCY REPORTS.  I AM STILL AWAITING THOSE COMPETENCY REPORTS FROM THE FNM.  MAYBE MR. GRANT CAN USE HIS RESOURCEFUL TALENTS TO GET THEM TO SATISFY ME AND THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE ON HOW SUCH A BAD DECISION WAS MADE.  THE FACT IS THAT THE ADDITIONAL JETS ALLOWED THE AIRLINE TO PERFORM 84 CHARTERS LAST FISCAL YEAR, AS FAR SOUTH AS SURINAM AND TRINIDAD, AS FAR NORTH AS CANADA AND AS FAR WEST AS PANAMA FOR INCREMENTAL REVENUE OF $1.3 MILLION.  THREE JETS COULD NOT BE IDLE PERFORMING THIS NUMBER OF CHARTERS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVICING MIAMI, FORT LAUDERDALE AND FREEPORT.  MR. GRANT IS NOT CREDIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO BAHAMASAIR AND HIS OFTEN BASELESS ATTACKS ON BAHAMASAIR IS A DISCREDIT TO HIS PARTY AND HIMSELF.
THE LOSS FOR 2005 IS PROJECTED TO BE $18 MILLION OR $7 MILLION WORSE THAN LAST YEAR.
REVENUE GREW BY $6 MILLION WHILE EXPENSES GREW BY $11 MILLION PRINCIPALLY DRIVEN BY THE HUGE INCREASE IN THE COST OF FUEL AND A $2 MILLION VALUATION WRITE DOWN (NO CASH) ON THE JETS.
THE TWO NEW ROUTES TO SANTO DOMINGO AND HAVANA HAVE BOTH PRODUCED POSITIVE MARGINS FOR THE AIRLINE
THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY, IN SPITE OF THE $6 MILLION INCREASED IN THE COST OF FUEL WAS HELD CONSTANT AT $16 MILLION IN 2005 OVER 2004.
PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE THAT ANY RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SEEK TO PRIVATIZE THE AIRLINE TO AVERT HAVING TO INJECT $17 – 20 MILLION IN DIRECT SUBSIDIES INTO THE AIRLINE AND ANOTHER $4 – 5 MILLION INDIRECTLY THROUGH OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES.  THE SITUATION IS SIMPLY BECOMING UNTENABLE GIVEN THE DISASTERS AND ALL THE OTHER SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS WITH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFRONTED.
I NOW HAVE THE FINAL PRIVATIZATION CONSULTANCY REPORT FROM MCKINSEY AND CO. WHO ALONG WITH THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED PRIVATIZATION COMMITTEE MADE UP OF BAHAMASAIR AND NON BAHAMASAIR REPRESENTATIVES DID A FINE JOB. A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS A NUMBER OF MAJOR CHANGES THAT CAN BE MADE WITH RESPECT TO STAFFING, COMPENSATION, FLEET, WORK RULES, RESTRUCTURING OF THE BALANCE SHEET AND THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT.  THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WELL SUPPORTED BY EXHAUSTIVE RESEARCH AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S $1 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE CONSULTANCY WAS WELL SPENT.  IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE CONSULTANCY WAS PUT OUT TO TENDER WITH AT LEAST FIVE WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED RESPONDENTS, INCLUDING LUFTHANSA, WITH MCKINSEY HAVING BEEN SELECTED BASED ON THEIR AIRLINE EXPERTISE AND PRICE.    IT IS NOW LEFT TO ME AND MY CABINET COLLEAGUES TO DECIDE ON THE COURSE OF ACTION TO PURSUE WITH RESPECT TO THE NATIONAL AIRLINE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL NATIONAL FISCAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH AS YOU KNOW FELLOW DELEGATES ARE DAUNTING.
ONCE AGAIN NEKO GRANT REFERRED TO MCKINSEY & CO. AS HAVING NO AIRLINE EXPERIENCE AND ONCE AGAIN HE DEMONSTRATED HOW UNINFORMED HE IS.  THE PRIVATIZATION COMMITTEE SELECTED MCKINSEY AND COMPANY PRECISELY FOR ITS GLOBAL AIRLINE EXPERIENCE.  MCKINSEY AND COMPANY’S AIRLINE PRACTICE HAS BE ENGAGED BY 12 OF THE WORLD’S TOP-20 AIRLINES OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS ON OVER 500 PROJECTS.  THE PROFESSIONALS OF THE PRACTICE INCLUDE FORMER AIRLINE PILOTS, MECHANICS, AIRLINE EXECUTIVES AND INDUSTRY-FOCUSED ACADEMICS.  THE TEAM THAT LED THE BAHAMASAIR ENGAGEMENT HAS COLLECTIVELY LED PROJECTS AT 20 AIRLINES AROUND THE WORLD AND TWO OF THE FOUR TEAM MEMBERS WORKED AT AIRLINES IN MANAGEMENT ROLES PRIOR TO JOINING MCKINSEY.

WHILE THE AVIATION INVESTMENT MARKET IS NOT VERY BULLISH AT THE PRESENT TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST AND WE ARE HOPING THAT A SYNERGISTIC PARTNER COMES FORWARD THAT MAY POSSESS COMPLIMENTARY STRENGTHS TO BAHAMASAIR THAT IS ONE WITH A SURPLUS FLEET, OPERATIONAL/MAINTENANCE DEPTH, BRAND LOYALTY, ETC.  BAHAMASAIR’S STRENGTH LIES IN ITS SAFETY RECORD, ITS LOYAL ETHNIC PASSENGER BASE AND ITS NATIONAL FLAG CARRIER STATUS WHICH ACCORDS IT VIRTUAL OPEN SKIES WITH NORTH/SOUTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
IN THE MEANTIME FELLOW DELEGATES, THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF BAHAMASAIR WILL CONTINUE WITH THEIR INITIATIVE TO EXPAND ITS LUCRATIVE CHARTER BUSINESS, OPEN NEW ROUTES TO JAMAICA AND ELSEWHERE EARLY NEXT YEAR, DEEPEN THE AIRLINE’S PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE THE TOURIST COMPONENT OF ITS PASSENGERS WHILE DILIGENTLY WORKING TO DRIVE DOWN THE COST OF OPERATING THE  AIRLINE.
I AM SATISFIED THAT THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT OF BAHAMASAIR ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO COPE UNDER VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE PURSUIT OF RESTRUCTURING THE AIRLINE IN PREPARATION FOR PRIVATIZATION.

BAHAMAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
TURNING TO THE BAHAMAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, “BTC”.

INTERNATIONAL LONG DISTANCE RATES

FELLOW DELEGATES,I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WHILE IT TOOK TWO YEARS AFTER I FIRST WENT PUBLIC WITH IT IN FREEPORT GRAND BAHAMA, BTC WAS ABLE TO REDUCE ITS DOMESTIC LONG DISTANCE RATES BY 55% UNDER THIS PLP GOVERNMENT.

IN ADDITION, BTC REDUCED IT INTERNATIONAL LONG DISTANCE RATES BY UP TO 70%.

WHILE THIS RESULTED IN TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOST REVENUES TO BTC, IT WAS IN KEEPING WITH THE PLP’S   “OUR PLAN,” TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES TO EVERY RESIDENT IN THE BAHAMAS

A FEW WEEKS AGO, BTC LAUNCHED IT NEW LONG DISTANCE PREPAID SERVICES THE “HELLO” CARD.

BTC IS PLANNING TO REDUCE THE LONG DISTANCE RATES   EVEN FURTHER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

PARTNER WITH THE YOUTH

BTC CONTINUES WITH A PROGRAM OF PARTNERING WITH THE YOUTH THAT WAS STARTED BY DR. BERNARD NOTTAGE WHEN HE WAS MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE TECHNICAL CADET PROGRAM IS AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT TEACHES MATHEMATICS, ENGLISH AND ELECTRONICS TO TENTH, ELEVEN AND TWELFTH GRADE STUDENTS. BTC PROVIDES THE VEHICLES TO TRANSPORT THE CHILDREN TO THE CLASSES AND BACK TO THEIR HOMES. BTC ALSO GRANTS AN AVERAGE OF FIVE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS SINCE THE PLP HAS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT, BTC INTRODUCED THE CYBER-CEL GIRLS AND CYBER GUYS. BTC HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH TONIQUE WILLIAMS DARLING AND ENGAGED HER AS ONE OF BTC’s SPOKESPERSONS. A FEW WEEKS AGO, BTC INTRODUCED HELLO BAHAMAS AND HELLO HAITI SPOKE PERSONS.

BTC HAS PARTNERED WITH BAHAMASAIR TO ADVERTISE ITS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY THANK THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE HARD WORKING STAFF AT BTC. THEY HAVE LABORED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS RESTORING AND HARDENING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK IN THIS COUNTRY AFTER THREE MAJOR HURRICANES.
 

PRIVATIZATION OF BATELCO
FELLOW DELEGATES, WHEN THE PLP BECAME THE GOVERNMENT IN MAY 2002, WE EXTENDED THE SITTING OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY TO ADDRESS THE NAGGING ISSUE OF THE PRIVATIZATION OF BATELCO THAT THE FNM HAD LEFT BEHIND.

THE FNM HAD ALREADY SPENT OVER $140 MILLION ON THIS PROJECT AND THE NEW PLP GOVERNMENT SOUGHT TO SEE WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SALVAGED.

TO THIS END, WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF THE PLP COMING TO POWER, THE VESTING OF THE BATELCO’S ASSETS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO DIVEST FORTY NINE PERCENT OF, WAS COMPLETED ON THE 4TH SEPTEMBER 2002. BY OCTOBER 2002 A ROAD SHOW FOR A STRATEGIC PARTNER WAS WELL ON THE WAY. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF BECOMING THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS BY NOVEMBER 2002, EIGHT POTENTIAL STRATEGIC PARTNERS WERE PERFORMING DUE DILIGENCE ON BTC.

A COMMISSION APPONITED FOR THE PRIVATIZATION OF BTC AND MADE UP OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR MEMBERS VETTED THE BIDS AND SHORT LISTED THREE POTENTIAL PARTNERS. AFTER MONTHS OF EXCRUCIATING EXAMINATIONS, THE APPOINTED COMMISSION RECOMMENDED TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT NONE OF THE SHORT LISTED COMPANIES COULD SERVE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE BAHAMAS.

HAVING REVIEWED THE ATTEMPTED PRIVATIZATION OF BTC I WILL COMISSION AN AUTHOR TO WRITE A NOVEL ON THE SUBJECT “HOW NOT TO PRIVATIZE A TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY.” FELLOW DELAGATES GUESS WHO THE VILLIAN WILL BE? IF YOU SAY THE ABACO DRAGON, YOU ARE CORRECT!!!

CELLULAR
WHEN WE CAME TO OFFICE IN 2002, THE CELLULAR NETWORK WAS ALREADY SUFFERING FROM CONGESTION. IT IS MY         UNDERSTANDING THAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION THAT IF SOMETHING WAS NOT DONE THEN, THE NETWORK COULD COLLAPSE. THE FNM HAD ALREADY ALLOWED BaTelCo TO PLACE TWO PREVIOUS MORATORIUMS ON CELLULAR, BTC’s NUMBER ONE PRODUCT. IN FACT, ONE MORATORIUM LASTED FROM MAY OF 2000 TO FEBRUARY OF 2001, NINE MONTHS. AS A RESULT THE GOVERNMENT, AS A MATTER OF URGENT PRIORITY HAD TO ADDRESS THE CELLULAR SITUATION AS WELL.

BTC LAUNCH IT PREPAID QUICK CELL SERVICES IN DECEMBER 2001 AND ITS GSM PREPAID SERVICES IN FEBRUARY 2004. THERE ARE OVER 46,000 TDMA QUICKCELL SUBSCRIBERS AND OVER 90,000 GSM CYBERCELL SUBSCRIBERS.

FELLOW DELAGATES, SO AS TO UNDERSCORE HOW BOTH THESE SERVICES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SMALL BAHAMIAN BUSINESSMEN AND ENTREPRENEURS, BTC PAID OUT IN DISCOUNTS TO ITS PREPAID VENDORS $8.6 MILLION IN 2004. AND SO FAR FOR 2005 UP TO AUGUST, BTC HAS PAID IN DISCOUNTS $12.23 MILLION TO SMALL BAHAMIAN BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS.

ABACO
BTC IS IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING FORTY GSM CELLULAR SITES IN ABACO AND ITS NEIGHBORING CAYS AT A COST OF OVER $14 MILLION. WHEN THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETED THE RESIDENTS OF ABACO WILL HAVE A UBIQUITOUS CELLULAR NETWORK COVERING NOT JUST THE MAIN LAND ABACO BUT THE CAYS AS WELL.

LAST YEAR AFTER HURRICANES FRANCIS AND JEAN, BTC EXTENDED ITS FIBER OPTIC NETWORK FROM MARSH HARBOUR TO SANDY POINT.

AS PART OF THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE CABLE NETWORK, BTC IS CONNECTING SANDY POINT TO FRESH CREEK ANDROS, AND SANDY POINT TO ARTHUR’S TOWN CAT ISLAND AND COOPER TOWN (THE HOME TOWN OF THE DRAGON) TO McLEANS’s TOWN GRAND BAHAMA WITH SUBMARINE FIBER OPTIC CABLE IN A SELF HEALING RING TOPOLOGY.

YOUR CARING PLP GOVERNMENT WANTS TO ENSURE THAT THE RESIDENTS OF ABACO ARE NOT ISOLATED AGAIN FROM A SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE.

THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE SECOND QUARTER 2006. THE CABLE SHIP IS PRESENTLY AT THE PRINCE GEORGE WHARF UNLOADING THE FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE FOR THE FIRST PHASE.

IN ADDITION, BTC IS SPENDING $1.12 MILLION ON THE PROVISION OF LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE TO CENTRAL PINES IN MARSH HARBOUR. THIS PROJECT IS 60% COMPLETED. BTC IS ALSO SPENDING $1.08 MILLION IN A NEW SUB-DIVISION IN SANDY POINT. THIS PROJECT IS 75% COMPLETED.

ABACO DO NOT MIND THE NOISE IN THE MARKET YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT CARES ABOUT YOU.

ACKLINS ISLAND
IN 2003, TELEPHONES WERE INSTALLED IN THE HOMES IN ACKLINS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

IT IS PLANNED THAT WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE GSM TECHNOLOGY WILL COME TO ACKLINS.

ANDROS
EARLIER THIS YEAR, DSL HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS WAS DEPLOYED TO THE ISLAND OF ANDROS.

IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THE CABLE SHIP WILL BE LAYING A FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE BETWEEN FRESH CREEK AND NEW PROVIDENCE AND THEN ON TO GOVERNORS HARBOUR ELEUTHERA.

THIS NEW SUBMARINE CABLE WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR BTC TO DEPLOY GSM CELLULAR SERVICES THROUGHOUT ANDROS.
SINCE THE PLP CAME TO POWER, BTC SPENT MORE THAN $2.5 MILLION UPGRADING THE MICROWAVE RADIO LINKS IN ANDROS.

BIMINI
IN MAY OF THIS YEAR I ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT BTC HAD ENGAGED NSW A SUBMARINE CABLE MANUFACTURER TO BUILD A  FIBER OPTIC CABLE BETWEEN BIMINI AND GRAND BAHAMA TO REPLACED THE  DISCONTINUED TROPO RADIO SYSTEM THAT WAS FAILING CHRONICALLY LEAVING THE RESIDENTS OF BIMINI DISCONNECTED FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

I AM PLEASE TO ANNOUNCE TO THE DELEGATES FROM BIMINI AND TO THE RESIDENTS OF BIMINI THAT THIS $6 MILLION CABLE IS INSTALLED AND WORKING. IT WAS BUILT ON BUDGET AND ON TIME. AND I AM TOLD THAT IT WAS BUILT IN WORLD RECORD TIME. I EXPECT TO BE A PART OF THE COMMISSIONING OF THIS NEW CABLE IN A FEW DAYS.

NOW THAT THE FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE HAS BEEN INSTALLED, BTC IS SPENDING AN ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION TO INSTALL GSM CELLULAR SERVICES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN ORDERED AND SHOULD BE HERE IN A FEW WEEKS TO BE INSTALLED.

I DON’T WANT TO STOP HERE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR CARING PLP GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO INSTRUCTED BTC TO DEPLOY DSL HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO THE SCHOOLS IN BIMINI SO THAT THE SCHOOLS IN BIMINI WILL HAVE THE SAME CONNECTIVITY AS THE SCHOOLS IN NEW PROVIDENCE AND GRAND BAHAMA.
CDMA CELLULAR SITES WILL ALSO BE DEPLOYED IN BIMINI

CROOKED ISLAND
CROOKED ISLAND ALREADY HAS FIBER OPTIC CONNECTIVITY TO NEW PROVIDENCE. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE CABLE WILL MAKE THE NETWORK MORE ROBUST.

IT IS PLANNED TO UPGRADE THE TELEPHONE NETWORK USING SOFT SWITCH TECHNOLOGY. THIS IS PART OF THE $2.755 MILLION SOUTHEAST ISLAND UPGRADE.
 

ELEUTHERA
THE TOWER AT HATCHET BAY IS BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $852,439.

BTC IS PRESENTLY DEPLOYING DSL HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS AT A COST OF $147,000.

THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE NETWORK WILL CONNECT GOVERNORS HARBOUR TO FRESH CREEK ANDROS AND TO GEORGE TOWN EXUMA.

IT IS PLANNED TO DEPLOY BOTH GSM AND CDMA TECHNOLOGY ON ELEUTHERA.

EXUMA
THE GEORGE TOWN BUILDING IS BEING REFURBISHED AT A COST OF $361,665.

GEORGE TOWN WILL BE CONNECTED TO GOVERNORS HARBOUR ELEUTHERA AND SIMMS LONG VIA FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE. PLANS ARE ALREADY ON THE WAY TO INSTALL GSM IN EXUMA AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $6 MILLION.

GRAND BAHAMA
$573,000 IS BEING SPENT TO ENHANCE TELEPHONE SERVICE TO REGENCY PARK, WHILE $650,500 IS BEING SENT TO ENHANCE THE TELEPHONE NETWORK TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES IN QUEENS COVE. AND ANOTHER $167,000 IS BEING SPENT TO IMPROVE THE TELEPHONE SERVICES ON FROBISHER AND ADVENTURES WAY

TO IMPROVE THE GSM CELLULAR COVERAGE AN ADDITIONAL SIX CELL SITES ARE BEING INSTALLED AT A COST OF $2.59 MILLION.

THE $6 MILLION BIMINI SUBMARINE CABLE TERMINATES IN EIGHT MILE ROCK TECHNICAL CENTRE.

CDMA WILL BE INSTALLED IN GRAND BAHAMA IN A FEW WEEKS.

DSL SERVICES ARE BEING IMPROVED WITH THE EXPENDITURE OF $106,000.
 
 
 

GRAND CAY & WALKERS CAY
HIT BY THREE HURRICANES IN THE LAST FIFTEEN MONTHS, GRAND CAY HAS SUFFERED MUCH LOST. IN FACT, THE TOTAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK WAS DESTROYED BY THE HURRICANES LAST YEAR.

NOT ONLY WAS THE NETWORK COMPLETELY REBUILT AFTER THE HURRICANES, BUT THE RESIDENTS OF GRAND CAY AND WALKERS CAY ARE ENJOYING CELLULAR SERVICES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY. NOT JUST CELLULAR SERVICES, BUT GSM CELLULAR SERVICES. GRAND CAY THIS IS YOUR CARING PLP GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR YOU.

INAGUA
THE MAIN FEEDER CABLE IN INAGUA IS BEING IMPROVED BY AN EXPENDITURE OF $532,000.

INAGUA WILL HOST ONE OF THE NATIONAL OPERATIONS NETWORK CENTRES FOR THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE CABLE. THE OTHER CENTRE WILL BE IN NEW PROVIDENCE.

INAGUA WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE LANDING POINT FOR A FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK THAT BTC WILL BUILD TO CONNECT THE BAHAMAS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF HAITI.

HARBOUR ISLAND
WHEN THE PLP BECAME THE GOVERNMENT IN 2002 THERE WAS NO CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE IN HARBOUR ISLAND. TODAY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE CAN USE THEIR CELLULAR PHONES IN HARBOUR ISLAND.
 

LONG ISLAND
THE TOWER AT SIMMS IS BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $980,000. THE TOWER IS ALREADY ON SITE.

THE CENTRAL OFFICE AT SIMMS IS BEING UPGRADED AT A COST OF $100,000 AND A NEW CUSTOMER SERVICES BUILDING IS BEING CONSTRUCTED AT A COST OF $320,000.

THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE FIBER OPTIC CABLE NETWORK WILL CONNECT LONG ISLAND TO EXUMA AS WELL AS TO DUNCAN TOWN RAGGED ISLAND.

THIS CABLE WILL ALLOW BTC TO PROVIDE GSM CELLULAR PHONE SERVICES TO LONG ISLANDERS.

MOORES ISLAND
WHEN THE PLP CAME TO POWER IN 2002 THERE WAS NO CELLULAR PHONE SERVICES IN MOORES ISLAND. TODAY THE RESIDENT OF MOORSE ISLAND CAN STAY CONNECTED TO FAMILY AND FRIEND WITH THEIR CELLULAR SERVICE.
 

NEW PROVIDENCE
CELLULAR
IN 2003 THE  GOVERNMENT GAVE BTC THE GREEN LIGHT TO BEGIN THE DEPLOYMENT OF A GSM CELLULAR OVERLAY IN NEW PROVIDENCE AND GRAND BAHAMA AT A COST OF $28 MILLION.

SINCE THE COMMERCIAL LAUNCH OF GSM IN FEBRUARY 2004, MORE 100,000 CUSTOMERS ARE NOW REGISTERED ON THE NETWORK. BAHAMIANS CAN NOW USE THEIR POSTPAID CELLULAR PHONES IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, LONDON, RUSSIA, ITALY, HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, BELIZE, MEXICO, BERMUDA AND ALL OF THE ENGLISH SPEAKING CARIBBEAN TO NAME A FEW COUNTRIES.

IN FEBRUARY 2004 WHEN GSM WAS FIRST INSTALLED, THE NETWORK WAS DESIGNED WITH A CAPACITY OF 90,000 SUBSCRIBERS AND TWENTY FIVE CELL SITES IN NEW PROVIDENCE.

OVER THE LAST FEW WEEK BTC HAS BEEN EXPANDING THE GSM CAPACITY FROM 120,000 TO 250,000 CUSTOMERS SO AS TO FACILITATE NEW CUSTOMERS AND VISITORS WHO ROAM ON THE NETWORK. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2005 AT A COST OF $6 MILLION. AND YET FELLOW DELAGATES THEY CONTINUE TO TELL THE BOLDFACE LIES THAT YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT HAS DONE NOTHING.

IN ADDITION BTC RECOGNIZES THE COVERAGE PROBLEMS IN NEW PROVIDENCE AND TO THIS END WILL BE DEPLOYING AN ADDITIONAL SIX CELL-SITES TO IMPROVE THE DEAD SPOTS IN NEW PROVIDENCE. THIS IS BEING DONE AT A COST OF $3 MILLION.

RECOGNIZING THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL ROAMING REVENUES BTC IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEPLOYING THE CDMA CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY IN NEW PROVIDENCE, GRAND BAHAMA AT A COST OF $6 MILLION. THIS WILL HELP BTC TO IMPROVE ON ITS ALREADY LUCRATIVE REVENUES THAT IS EXPECTED TO REACH $19.5 MILLION THIS YEAR. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW TOURIST VISITING OUR SHORES THAT DO NOT HAVE GSM OR TDMA CELLULAR PHONES TO STILL BE CONNECTING.

BTC IS ALSO WORKING WITH RESEARCH IN MOTION (RIM) TO ESTABLISH BLACKBERRY SERVICES. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS NEW SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE WHERE GSM IS DEPLOYED BY THE FIRST QUARTER 2006.

$4 MILLION IS BEING SPENT TO IMPROVE TELEPHONES SERVICES IN COWPEN ROAD, MARSHALL ROAD, FIRE TRAIL, SOUTH BEACH, SILVER GATE, GLADSTONE ROAD, SEA BREEZE LANE, LAKEVIEW HEIGHTS, CARMICHAEL ROAD, MISTY GARDENS, SEVEN HILLS AND LYFORD CAY.

DSL INTERNET ACCESS IS BEING IMPROVED WITH AN EXPENDITURE OF $231,000.

VOICEMAIL IS BEING INSTALLED FOR WIRELINE AT A COST OF $1.51 MILLION.
 

RAGGED ISLAND
AS PART OF THE $60 MILLION BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE CABLE NETWORK, DUNCAN TOWN RAGGED ISLAND WILL BE LINKED TO LONG ISLAND, AND TO INAGUA AS PART OF THIS SELF HEALING RING. THIS LINK COST IS APPROXIMATELY $4.9 MILLION.

IN ADDITION, RAGGED ISLAND WILL SHARE IN A $2.755 MILLION SOFT SWITCH UPGRADE FOR LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE FOR THE SOUTHEAST ISLANDS. RAGGED ISLAND, YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT CARES. I INVITE RAGGED ISLAND TO STAY TUNED FOR THE REST OF THE GREAT NEWS IN A FEW MOMENTS.

RUM CAY
RUM CAY WILL BE CONNECTED TO CROOKED ISLAND AND SAN SALVADOR BY FIBER OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLE.

BTC SUMMARY
FELLOW DELAGATES, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK I URGED THE BAHAMAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND THE BAHAMAS BROADCASTING CORPORATION TO GET TOGETHER TO MAKE USE OF THE 200 DIGITAL TV CHANNEL CAPACITY OF THE BAHAMAS DOMESTIC SUBMARINE CABLE THAT IS LINKING 14 MAJOR ISLANDS IN A SELF HEALING RING SO AS TO PROVIDE ZNS TV, THE PARLIAMENTARY CHANNEL AND QUALITY RADIO BROADCASTING TO THE FAMILY ISLAND. THE DAYS OF SOME FAMILY ISLANDS NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR ZNS RADIO OR SEE ZNS TV WILL BE NO MORE.

THIS EFFORT IS IN KEEPING WITH OUR PRIME MINISTER’S GOAL OF EQUALIZATION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE ENTIRE BAHAMAS.
 
 
 

BAHAMAS ELECTRICTY CORPORATION

MR. SESSION CHAIRMAN, FELLOW DELEGATES, AS MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEC, I AM COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT THE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC DEMANDS GOOD SERVICE FROM BEC. IN FACT, THE SUCCESS OF BEC IS VITAL TO OUR COUNTRY’S EXISTENCE. I AM THEREFORE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM (PLANT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM) AT BEC IS WELL UNDERWAY. IN 2002 I REPORTED THAT I ATTENDED THE COMMISSIONING OF A NEW GAS TURBINE AT THE BLUE HILLS PLANT. SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, A 31.5MW SLOW SPEED DIESEL UNIT WAS COMMISSIONED AT CLIFTON PIER.

MR. SESSION CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT WITH REGARDS TO THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY, WE KEPT OUR PROMISE, AND IN OCTOBER 2003 WE REDUCED THE BASIC RATE FOR ALL CUSTOMERS. THIS WAS UNPRECEDENTED. UNFORTUNATELY, AS YOU ARE ALSO AWARE, THE COST OF OIL ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET HAS SKYROCKETED. THEREFORE, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT WE DECREASED THE BASIC RATE, THE OVERALL BILL WOULD HAVE INCREASED DUE TO THE FUEL SURCHARGE WHICH IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE COST OF OIL ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET – SOMETHING BEYOND OUR CONTROL. THESE HIGH PRICES HAVE AFFECTED ALL OF US AND I THEREFORE URGE ALL OF YOU TO CONSERVE AND USE ELECTRICITY RESPONSIBLY.

I CAN NOW REPORT THAT AS WE SPEAK, WORK ON THREE ADDITIONAL GENERATORS IS PRESENTLY UNDERWAY. INCLUDED ARE THE INSTALLATIONS OF:
• A 23 MW GAS TURBINE AT BLUE HILLS WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 2006
• A 20 MW STEAM TURBINE WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 2006
• A 18MW SLOW SPEED DIESEL GENERATOR WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 2006.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE ADDITION OF THESE UNITS TO THE BEC NEW PROVIDENCE AND PARADISE ISLAND NETWORK WILL NOT ONLY INCREASE THE GENERATING CAPACITY, BUT WILL ALSO IMPROVE THE RELIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY. SPECIAL NOTE SHOULD ALSO BE PAID TO THE 20MW STEAM TURBINE AND THE SLOW SPEED DIESEL GENERATOR. THE STEAM TURBINE WILL PRODUCE THE POWER WITHOUT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUEL COST AS IT WILL OPERATE ON THE EXHAUST HEAT FROM TWO EXISTING GAS TURBINES. THIS EXHAUST HEAT, RATHER THAT GOING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, WILL NOW DRIVE A STEAM TURBINE THEREBY PRODUCING ELECTRICITY. THE SLOW SPEED DIESEL WHICH HAS A HIGH EFFICIENCY, UTILIZES HFO, THE CHEAPER OF THE TWO FUELS USED BY BEC.

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPROVED EFFICIENCIES OF THE FIRST TWO NEW UNITS, THERE WILL BE SOME $15 MILLION SAVINGS IN FUEL COST.
IN OCTOBER 2006, A NEW SLOW SPEED DIESEL GENERATOR WILL ALSO BE ADDED TO THE SYSTEM. THIS WILL RESULT IN FURTHER FUEL SAVINGS - A TOTAL OF SOME $21.8 MILLION FOR THE THREE UNITS. THIS WILL PRESENT TREMENDOUS BENEFITS TO ALL CUSTOMERS.

AS A RESULT OF THE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS, BEC WILL CARRY OUT A STUDY WITH VIEW TO DETERMINE IF ANOTHER RATE REDUCTION IS POSSIBLE. SHOULD THE STUDY INDICATE THAT A FURTHER REDUCTION OF THE BASE ELECTRICITY RATE IS POSSIBLE, THEN THE SAVINGS WILL BE PASSED ON TO THE CUSTOMERS AS EARLY AS OCTOBER 2006.  FELLOW DELEGATES, THIS IS ANOTHER DEFINITIVE EXAMPLE OF YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ALL BAHAMIANS.

WHILE I AM AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN  OUTAGES LATELY, DUE MAINLY TO ILLEGAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION,  I CAN REPORT THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AT BEC AND DURING THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO NEED FOR MAJOR LOAD SHEDDING. AS A RESULT OF THE STEPS THAT BEC HAS TAKEN, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

AS A RESULT OF THE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM AND IMPROVED MAINTENANCE, BEC WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING:
• A 14% REDUCTION IN THE USE OF ADO, DIESEL THE MORE EXPENSIVE OF THE TWO FUELS USED BY BEC
• A 15% INCREASE IN THE USE OF HFO, THE CHEAPER OF THE FUELS USED BY BEC (USED IN THE SLOW SPEED DIESELS AT CLIFTON PIER)
• A 4% REDUCTION IN WORKS POWER
• A 14% IMPROVEMENT IN PLANT RELIABILITY
• A REDUCTION IN THE OUTAGE RATE

CONVENTION DELEGATES, THE BAHAMAS WAS ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY TWO HURRICANES LAST YEAR. THE STAFF AT BEC RESPONDED ADMIRABLY UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS AND I THEREFORE WANT TO COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR EFFORT. THIS YEAR, A FEW OF THE NORTHERN ISLANDS WERE ONCE AGAIN AFFECTED BY A HURRICANE. AND WHILE THE PERFORMANCE OF BEC WAS ONCE AGAIN ADMIRABLE, CONSIDERATION SHOULD NOW BE GIVEN TO MITIGATING SUCH LOSSES, POSSIBLY BE INSTALLING MORE OF THE NETWORK UNDERGROUND AS COMPARED TO OVERHEAD.

OVER THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, BEC HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROJECTS, SOME OF WHICH WERE RELATED TO THE EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY AND OTHERS TO IMPROVING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE SERVICE DELIVERY.

 FAMILY ISLANDS
 ABACO
• WINDING BAY – INSTALLATION OF SUPPLIES TO THE WINDING BAY PROJECT IN ABACO
• ABACO CAYS  – UPGRADE OF CABLES SUPPLYING THE CAYS ARE PRESENTLY UNDERWAY
ANDROS
• SOUTH ANDROS – INSTALLATION OF A NEW GENERATOR
ELEUTHERA
• ELEUTHERA – AN ISLAND WIDE SYSTEM STUDY
• HATCHET BAY, ELEUTHERA – TWO NEW GENERATORS WERE INSTALLED
• HARBOUR ISLAND, ELEUTHERA – TWO NEW GENERATORS WERE INSTALLED
            EXUMA

• EXUMA – A NEW POWER STATION WAS COMMISSIONED
MAYAGUANA
• MAYAGUANA – PIPELINE REPAIR/UPGRADE
SAN SALVADOR
• SAN SALVADOR – DISTRIBUTION UPGRADE

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN THE AREA OF TRAINING, I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT BEC HAS REINTRODUCED ITS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN CONTINUING TO PRODUCE QUALIFIED CRAFTSMEN AND TECHNICIANS TO OPERATE, MAINTAIN AND REPAIR EQUIPMENT AMONGST OTHER THINGS. ADDITIONALLY BEC HAS ENGAGED A NUMBER OF ENGINEERS WHO ARE PRESENTLY UNDERGOING AN “ENGINEER IN TRAINING” PROGRAM. I AM ALSO DELIGHTED TO REPORT THAT INCLUDED IN THE NUMBERS ARE THE FIRST TWO FEMALE ENGINEERS FOR BEC. OTHER TRAINING PROGRAMS, BOTH LOCALLY AND ABROAD ARE UNDERWAY.

IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PRESENT B.E.C. BOARD TO TRANSFORM THE COMPANY INTO A MORE CUSTOMER FRIENDLY ORGANIZATION.  BY SO DOING, CUSTOMERS SHOULD EXPECT TO RECEIVE FASTER RESPONSES TO QUERIES, BILLINGS RELATED MATTERS, NEW SERVICES CONNECTIONS AND SERVICE CALLS.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES INCLUSIVE OF A REINVIGORATED TRAINING PROGRAM THAT ARE PRESENTLY UNDERWAY OR PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE. INCLUDED ARE:
 NEW PROVIDENCE
• KERZNER PHASE 3 EXPANSION
• BAHAMAR DEVELOPMENT
• WINTON – INCREASED CAPACITY TO THE EAST END OF THE ISLAND
• WEST BAY ST (SEA BEACH AND WEST RIDGE AREA) – CABLE UPGRADE
• BONITA BAY – NEW SUBSTATION FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT
• ROSE ISLAND – PROPOSED NEW RESORT
• OLD FORT, SOUTH WEST BAY RD – NEW DEVELOPMENT
• VARIOUS REINFORCEMENT PROJECTS

ABACO
• ABACO – CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POWER STATION
• MARSH HARBOUR – UPGRADE OF THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
• TREASURE CAY – UPGRADE AND REINFORCEMENT OF THE NETWORK
• BAKERS BAY (GUANA CAY, ABACO)
• CROSSING ROCK TO SANDY POINT – CONSTRUCTION OF AN OVERHEAD LINE (IMPROVED SUPPLIES)
ANDROS
• CENTRAL ANDROS – CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POWER STATION BUILDING
• BONE FISH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
 

BIMINI
• BIMINI – CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POWER PLANT
• BIMINI BAY PROJECT

CAT ISLAND
• LUCKY MOUNT CAT ISLAND DEVELOPMENT
• HAWK NEST EXPANSION
• RESORT & BRIDGE DEVELOPMENT AT ORANGE CREEK

CROOKED ISLAND
• PITTSTOWN POINT LANDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

ELEUTHERA
• COTTON BAY CLUB, ELEUTHERA
• WINDERMERE ISLAND
• GLASS WINDOW BRIDGE – INSTALLATION OF A CABLE TO REPLACE THE OVERHEAD LINES (IMPROVED RELIABILITY DURING SEA SURGES)
• GOVERNORS HARBOUR RESORT & MARINA
• RESORT AND GOLF COURSE HALF SOUND AT HATCHET BAY

EXUMA
• EMERALD BAY EXPANSION
• CRAB CAY

RAGGED ISLAND
• RAGGED ISLAND – NEW FUEL TANK

RUM CAY
• MONTANA HOLDINGS RUM CAY CLUB DEVELOPMENT

INAGUA
• INAGUA – TAKEOVER OF THE POWER COMPANY
 
MR. SESSION CHAIRMAN, FELLOW DELEGATES, AS THE MINISTER I WILL CONTINUE TO MOTIVATE AND ENCOURAGE BEC TO PROVIDE GOOD SERVICE AND TO BE THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.  YOUR NEW PLP GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO AGGRESSIVELY ATTEND TO THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES AT BEC IN OUR COMMITMENT TO SECURE CONTINUOUS POWER SUPPLY AT REASONABLE COST FOR ALL.
 

MINISTRY OF WORKS & UTILITIES

FELLOW DELEGATES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I NOW WISH TO  FOCUS ON SOME OF THE INITIATIVES IN THE MINISTRY OF WORKS AND UTILITIES THAT EITHER HAVE RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED, ARE PRESENTLY UNDERWAY OR WILL COMMENCE VERY SHORTLY.  BEFORE DOING, I WISH TO MAKE AVERY BOLD AND DEFINITIVE STATEMENT.  HEAR ME WELL, FELLOW DELEGATES, AND IN PATICULAR ALL UNEMPLOYED ABLE BODIED MEN AND WOMEN,  IN   BAIN TOWN AND GRANTS TOWN, IN  FARM ROAD,  IN ENGLERSTON, ST. CECELIA, FORT CHARLOTTE,  ST. MARGARETS, DELAPORTE, ST. THOMAS MOORE, CARMICHAEL, ADELAIDE, ELIZABETH, FOX HILL  AND ANY OTHER CONSTITUENCY IN THE BAHAMAS I URGE YOU TO PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE NUMEROUS GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION INITIATIVES THAT WILL COMMENCE IN JANURAY OF 2006.  THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL ESCALATE TO A LEVEL NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR BAHAMAS.

SCHOOLS

MY MINISTRY, ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, HAS PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NUMBER OF NEW SCHOOLS SOME OF WHICH THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED LAST EVENING.
 

SCHOOLS AND OTHER PROJECTS EARMARKED FOR CONSTRUCTION DURING THE NEXT EIGHTEEN (18) TO THIRTY (30) MONTHS
 

NO. PROJECT LOCATION APPROXIMATE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET

1. T.G. Glover Primary Horse Shoe Drive, Nassau $8.0 Million
2. Junior High School ,  South West, New Providence $7.5 Million.
3. Primary School Fresh Creek, Central- Andros $3.3 Million
4. Primary School Lowe Sound - North Andros $3.5 Million
5. Junior High School  Heritage Subdivision,
Freeport- Grand Bahama $6.8 Million
6  High School Alice Town,-North Bimini $3.5 Million
7. High School  Matthew Town- Inagua $3.5 Million
8. Primary School  Salina Point- Acklins $1.2 Million
9. High School  Knowles- Cat Island $3.5 Million
10. Primary School  George Town- Exuma $4.0 Million
11. Primary School San Salvador  $3.2 Million
12. High School  San Salvador $3.9 Million
13 Eugene Dupuch Law School J.F.K Drive - Nassau $7.5 Million
14 P.E Building and Recreation Facility Doris Johnson High School $2.8 Million
15 Student Work Shops Doris Johnson High School $750,000.00

16 Student Work Shops C.V. Bethel High School $735,666.00
17 Magistrate Court Fox Hill – Nassau $450,000.00
18 Government Printing Building Repairs Industrial Park - Nassau $550,000.00
19 Detention Center Phase #2 Carmichael Road - Nassau $750,000.00
20 Registrar General Office Market Street - Nassau $5.8 Million
21 Ministry of Tourism Head-Quarters Bolam House - George Street – Nassau $1.8 Million
22 Airport Terminal Building Inagua $1 Million
23 300 Cell Block - Her Majesty Prison Fox Hill – Nassau $6 Million
24 Softball Sports Facility   Freeport, Grand Bahama $1.3 Million
25 Students Work Shops North Andros High School - North Andros  $850,000.00
26 Straw Market Building Bay Street  $13 M

                   TOTAL              $95.19 M
 

AIRPORTS UPGRADES:
MANGROVE CAY AIRPORT     $500,000.00
ACKLINS – CLEARING OF RUNWAY VERGE
AND REFILLING ESCAVATED CAVITIES  $500,000.00
NEW BIGHT, CAT ISLAND (EURO FUNDING)  $2 M
RAGGED ISLAND (EURO FUNDING   $650,000.00
MARSH HARBOUR AIRPORT EXPANSION
AND REMODELLING OF TERMINAL
BUILDING,  APPROXIMATELY              $300,000.00
NASSAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT   $25 M
 
        TOTAL   $28.9 M
 

NEW PROVIDENCE ROADS:

FELLOW DELEGATES, ON COMING TO OFFICE WE FOUND IN PLACE AN OLD SECOND HAND ASPHALT PLANT   PURCHASED IN 1989 AND WAS CONSTANTLY BREAKING DOWN AND POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT.  I TAKE MUCH DELIGHT TO INFORM THIS CONVENTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A SPANKING BRAND NEW SATE OF THE ART ALMIX ASPHALT PLANT WHICH WILL BE LOCATED IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK OFF FIRE TRAIL ROAD AT A COST OF $1.6 MILLION INCLUSIVE OF GROUND PREPARATION. THE NEW PLANT IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE WITHIN 30 DAYS. STARTING JANUARY 2006 A NEW INVIGORATED ROAD PAVING PROGRAM WILL BE LAUNCHED IN NEW PROVIDENCE. FELLOW DELEGATES YOUR PLP GOVERNMENT WILL RESTORE NEW PROVIDENCE ROADS.
 
 
 

FAITH AVENUE EXTENSION

DURING THE COURSE OF THE PAST YEAR, THE MINISTRY OF WORKS UNDERTOOK THE CONSTRUCTION AND PAVING OF THE EXTENSION OF FAITH AVENUE FROM COWPEN ROAD TO MARSHALL ROAD.  THIS NEW HIGHWAY HAS ENHANCED THE WELLBEING AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE RESIDENTS OF FAITH GARDENS  AND PASTEL GARDENS AT A COST OF $1.2M.
 

COMPLETION OF THE NEW PROVIDENCE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CNPRIP)

HARROLD ROAD DUALING AND REHABILITATION PROJECT

FELLOW DELEGATES, THE HARROLD ROAD DUALING AND REHABILITATION PROJECT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ORIGINAL NEW PROVIDENCE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN 2003 FOR  COMPLETION BY LOCAL CONTRACTORS.  THE WORK COMMENCED IN APRIL 2004 AND THE PROJECT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 2005.   THE CONTRACT WAS EXECUTED BY THE LOCAL JOINT VENTURE (JV) PARTNERSHIP COMPRISED OF BETHELL’S TRUCKING AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT & BAHAMAS HOT MIX.

THE CONTRACT SUM WAS $5,716,710.20 INCLUSIVE OF AN AGREED DISCOUNT FROM THE CONTRACTOR OF $363,215.76.

REMAINING CORRIDORS

THE REMAINING CORRIDORS HAVE BEEN DIVIDED INTO SEVEN SMALLER INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS CALLED SLICES AND EARMARKED FOR  COMPLETION BY BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BIDDING AS FOLLOWS:

SLICE 1, WHICH INCLUDES BAILLOU HILL RD, MARKET ST, EAST ST AND IS FOR INTERNATIONAL BIDDING AND THE ANTICIPATED CONTRACT AWARD IS APRIL 2006

SLICE 2, WHICH INCLUDES ROBINSON ROAD, PRINCE CHARLES DR, MARATHON RD AND WULFF RD AND IS ALSO INTENDED TO GO OUT TO INTERNATIONAL BIDDING THE ANTICIPATED CONTRACT AWARD, IS APRIL 2006

SLICE 3, WHICH INCLUDES THE BAMBOO BLVD AND EAST ST JUNCTION, BAMBOO BLVD, MILO BUTLER HWY EXTENSION TO CARMICHAEL RD, ABUNDANT LIFE RD WILL GO OUT TO  LOCAL BIDS – THE BID DOCUMENTS WERE ISSUED TO THE BIDDERS LAST MONTH AND IT IS  ANTICIPATED THAT THE CONTRACT WILL BE  AWARDED  IN MARCH 2006.

SLICE 4, WHICH INCLUDES BETHEL AVENUE EXTENSION FROM J.F.K. DR TO WEST BAY ST AND THE NEW CORDEAUX AVE LINK BETWEEN BAILLOU HILL RD AND THOMPSON BLVD IS FOR LOCAL BIDDING THE ANTICIPATED CONTRACT AWARD IS SEPTEMBER 2006

SLICE 5, WHICH INCLUDES THE BETHEL AVE REALIGNMENT BETWEEN TONIQUE WILIAMS-DARLING HWY AND J.F.K. DR AND THE NEW OAKS FIELD DISTRIBUTOR FROM YELLOW ELDER WAY TO THE NEW BETHEL AVE REALIGNMENT IS FOR LOCAL BIDDING THE ANTICIPATED CONTRACT AWARD IS SEPTEMBER 2007

SLICE 6 WHICH IS FOR LOCAL BIDDING IS ON HOLD PENDING FINAL DESIGNS OF THE BAH MAR DEVELOPMENT

SLICE 7 A LOCAL CONTRACT WAS SIGNED ON OCTOBER 18, 2005 AND THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 2006.  THIS PROJECT IS INTENDED TO IMPROVE THAT  SECTION OF BAILLOU HILL ROAD BETWEEN ROBINSON ROAD AND THE INDEPENDENCE DRIVE/TONIQUE WILLIAMS-DARLING HIGHWAY/BAILLOU HILL ROUNDABOUT.  THE CONTRACT FOR SLICE 7 WAS AWARDED TO THE LOCAL JOINT VENTURE (JV) PARTNERSHIP OF BETHELL’S TRUCKING AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT & BAHAMAS HOT MIX.

THE CONTRACT SUM FOR SLICE 7 IS $3,334,531.61 AND THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN SEVEN (7) MONTHS.  THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED, FOR EARLY COMPLETION, A BONUS OF $166,726.58, TO BE PAID TO THE CONTRACTOR IF THE PROJECT CAN BE COMPLETED WITHIN FIVE (5) MONTHS.  THIS BONUS WAS APPROVED TO ENCOURAGE THE EARLY COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT CORRIDOR OF THE ISLAND’S ROAD NETWORK AS .  EARLY COMPLETION OF THIS WORK WILL MINIMIZE HARDSHIP AND INCONVENIENCES TO THE PUBLIC AND BUSINESSES AT LARGE.

THE OVERALL CNPRIP IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A PROJECT COST OF BETWEEN $75 MILLION TO $80 MILLION AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT ALL WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BY 2008.
 

FAMILY ISLAND ROADS:
ELEUTHERA MAIN ROAD – THE CONTRACT IS PROGRESSING AND COMPLETION DATE IS EXPECTED IN ANOTHER 5 MONTHS.
ELEUTHERA SETTLEMENT ROADS – CONTRACTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AWARDED WITHIN THE NEXT 60 TO 90 DAYS FOR THE ROADS IN THE FOLLOWING SETTLEMENTS:
? NORTH & SOUTH PALMETTO POINT
? CUPID’S CAY AND BETSY VILLAGE ROAD
? SAVANNAH SOUND
? THE CURRENT

? UPPER & LOWER BOGUE
 

MANGROVE CAY ROADS – THE CONTRACT FOR THE REPAVING WILL BE EXECUTED ON 28 NOVEMBER, 2005 AT A COST OF $3.5 M.
EAST GRAND BAHAMA ROADS – THE REPAVING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THESE ROADS HAVE COMMENCED AT A COST OF $5 M PLUS.
ACKLINS ROADS – TENDERS  WILL BE INVITED SHORTLY FOR THIS WORK WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST JUST UNDER $4 M. (EURO FUNDING).
LONG ISLAND SETTLEMENT ROADS – THE CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED SHORTLY AT A COST OF UNDER $400,000.00.

DRAINAGE:
A CONTRACT HAS RECENTLY BEEN REWARDED FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE 1 OF A PROPERLY ENGINEERED DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR THE CHIPPINGHAM AREA AT A COSTS OF JUST UNDER $1 M.

DREDGING:
THE DREDGER TO COMMENCE THE DREDGING OF THE BIMINI BAY INLET WILL ARRIVE IN BIMINI TOMORROW EVENING AND THE WORKS WILL COMMENCE SHORTLY THEREAFTER AT A COST OF $2.750M.
 

DOCK:
RAGGED ISLAND DOCK/DREDGING  -  AFTER MANY YEARS OF PLEADING BY THE RESIDENTS OF RAGGED ISLAND, THE GOVERNMENT IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT TENDERS WILL SHORTLY BE INVITED TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY DREDGING AND THE BUILDING OF A DOCK IN RAGGED ISLAND AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF SOME $3.5 M.
FRESH CREEK DOCK     - FOLLOWING LAST YEARS HURRICANE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SAME WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. REPLACEMENT WILL COST $ 867,112.00 EURO FUNDING.
BENNETS HARBOUR DOCK CAT ISLAND   - REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $ 1M PLUS.

SEAWALLS:
THE REPAIRS TO THE SEAWALL AT JAMES CISTERN IS ONGOING AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED SHORTLY.
TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE ON SEAWALLS FOR WEST AND EAST BAY STREETS, AND YAMACRAW SEAWALLS IN NEW PROVIDENCE.
TENDERS FOR THE LOWE SOUND, ANDROS SEAWALLS WILL BE INVITED SHORTLY AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE EARLY IN 2006 AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1 M.

GLASS WINDOW CAUSEWAY:
FELLOW DELEGATES, TONIGHT I AM PLEASED TO INFORM THIS CONVENTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO UNDERTAKE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GLASS WINDOW CAUSEWAY UTILIZING ITS OWN  RESOURCES AND HAS INFORMED THE INTER AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK WHO HAS OFFERED NO OBJECTION.

MY MINISTRY WILL NOW PROCEED WITH THE ENGAGEMENT OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS FOR THE FINAL DESIGN OF THE CAUSEWAY.  IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE ENGINEERS  WILL TAKE SOME 5 TO 6 MONTHS FOR THE FINAL DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF BID DOCUMENTS.  FOLLOWING THIS WILL BE THE ISSUE OF BID DOCUMENTS TO PRE-QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS, THE BIDDING AND EVALUATION PROCESS AND APPOINTMENT OF CONTRACTORS WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS.  ASSUMING ALL GOES AS SCHEDULED, SEPTEMBER 1 2006 IS PROJECTED TO BE THE START DATE OF CONSTRUCTION AND SAME IS ESTIMATED TO TAKE FROM 12 TO 15 MONTHS.

BEFORE I MOVE TO CONCLUSION, CONVENTION, I WISH TO DRAW TO YOUR ATTENTION  AN ARTICLE I READ IN THIS MORNING'S NEWS PAPER WHICH STATED THAT THE FNM WILL BE MOVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER’S PENSION ACT DURING THE NEXT SITTING OF PARLIAMENT.   IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, THAT IS THE EQUIVALENCE OF A THIEF BREAKING INTO  YOUR HOUSE, YOU SUBDUE  HIM AND THE THIEF INSIST ON CALLING THE POLICE.    WHAT UTTER MADNESS.

CONCLUSION
IN CONCLUSION, FELLOW DELEGATES, THERE IS TRUTH IN MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY. UNITY DEMANDS TRUTHFULNESS IN ORDER FOR POSITIVE GOALS TO BE REACHED FOR THE GREATER GOOD. UNFORTUNATELY, IN THEIR CONVENTION LAST WEEK THE FNM DIDN’T GRASP THE CONCEPT OF TRUTH IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD IN UNITY.

FOR THE TRUTH IS THAT BEFORE LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER CAN OPEN HER MOUTH ABOUT THE PLP’S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THE LONGSTANDING IMMIGRATION DILEMMA; SHE NEEDS TO TELL THE PUBLIC WHY SHE FAILED TO ADDRESS HER OWN HUSBAND ABOUT IMMIGRATION MATTERS! IT WAS HER HUSBAND AS AN ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LAWYER WHO SIGNED OFF ON ALL TITLES OF LAND THAT THE FNM GOVERNMENT GAVE TO VAST NUMBERS OF HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS! AND LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER HAS THE GALL TO HUFF AND PUFF ABOUT THE PLP’S FAILURE? THE FIRST LAW TO BEING IN UNITY WITH GOD AND YOUR FELLOW PERSONS—IS TO BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!

ANOTHER TRUTH, IF TOLD BY THE FNM THAT WOULD BE A BASIS OF UNITY IS THE DIRTY TRICK PLAYED ON THE SELF-PROCLAIMED GENIUS AND POLITICAL STRATEGIST, CARL BETHEL, FORMER CHAIRMAN. HE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THAT HIS OWN PARTY WAS OVERJOYED TO HEAR HE WAS RUNNING FOR DEPUTY LEADER! THEY EVEN ENCOURAGED HIM BECAUSE THEY FELT HE MIGHT BE RE-ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN, BUT WOULD BE DEFEATED IF RUNNING FOR DEPUTY! THE GENIUS FELL RIGHT INTO THAT TRAP—AND EVERY FNM, BUT HIM, KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON! THE GENIUS FINALLY OUTTHOUGHT HIMSELF AND IN THAT CASE, ALL BAHAMIANS ARE IN UNITY AND MOVING FORWARD WITH JOY AT HIS IRRELEVANCE TO THE POLITICAL DIRECTORATE OF THE FNM!

ANOTHER TRUTH, IF TOLD BY THE FNM AND WOULD BE A BASIS OF UNITY, IS IF THEY ADMIT WHAT IT MEANS NOW THAT BRENT SYMONETTE IS THEIR DEPUTY LEADER. BUT WHAT WOULD IT ULTIMATELY MEAN, IF GOD FORBID, HE BECAME DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER? HE COULD THEN GIVE HIS PRIVATE BUSINESSES ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS—BUT THIS TIME, INSTEAD OF INGRAHAM FIRING HIM, HE WOULD HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO FIRE HIMSELF!

ANOTHER TRUTH AND A SAD ONE AT THAT, WHICH IF TOLD BY THE FNM WOULD BE A BASIS FOR UNITY, WOULD BE WHAT THE FNM DID TO TOMMY TURNQUEST AND DION FOULKES AT THEIR CONVENTION LAST WEEK. AS FORMER PARLIAMENT COLLEAGUES OF MINES, IT WAS SAD TO HEAR THAT NEITHER OF YOU MADE IT OVER THE FINISH LINE. BUT WHAT CAN I SAY? THE TRUTH IS THAT AFTER 35 YEARS AS A PARTY, YOU FINALLY FOUND OUT IN 2005, THAT YOUR PARTY STILL DOESN’T BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN WIN WITH AN FNM AS PARTY LEADER—THE CLOSEST THAT THEY COULD COME IS TO HAVE THE LAST BASTION OF UBP-ISM AS THE DEPUTY LEADER!

AND I WANT ALVIN SMITH TO KNOW THAT A TRUTH, IF TOLD BY THE FNM, THAT WOULD BE A BASIS FOR UNITY, WOULD BE IF HE ACCEPTS THAT A ‘LURID SEXUAL SCANDAL,’ AS HE SAID, USING PEOPLE’S NAMES IS JUST AS VULGAR AND NO DIFFERENT THAN A DEVIANT SEXUAL SCANDAL WITH NO NAMES CALLED! ALVIN SMITH, WHETHER BY NAME OR NOT, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WHAT YOU ARE!

FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE, THOSE ARE JUST SOME TRUTHS THAT IF THE FNM WOULD ONLY TELL THEMSELVES, THEY WOULD THEN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY. SO THE SUM OF ALL THESE TRUTHS IS, THAT IF YOU HAVE A UBP, A VANGUARD AND A PLP IN A LEADERSHIP RACE—THEY COULD ONLY BE RUNNING FOR THE FNM PARTY! BECAUSE THAT PARTY HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY CERTAINLY DON’T WANT AN FNM.

FELLOW DELEGATES AND PUBLIC AT-LARGE, CERTAINLY THE PLP KNOWS WHAT TRUTH AND UNITY IS ALL ABOUT! THE PLP KNOWS THAT TRUTH AND UNITY EQUALS PROGRESS, PROTECTION AND PROSPERITY! YOUR PLP KNOWS THAT WITHOUT TRUTH THEY’LL NEVER BE UNITY! AND FOR TODAY, AS FOR YESTERDAY AND FOR TOMORROW—THE PLP WILL BE MOVING FORWARD IN UNITY TO BUILD A BETTER BAHAMAS FOR YOU, FOR THEM, FOR EVERYONE!

GOD BLESS THE BAHAMAS AND THE PLP.