OPENING REMARKS
After 25 years as the government and ten years as the Opposition, the PLP has returned to government new and improved. We of the new PLP have so much to be grateful for and we thank Almighty God.

After ten years as a Government backbencher and ten years as an Opposition Member, and the new PLP’s National Chairman for two years, I have so much to be grateful to the Grants Town and Bain & Grants Town Constituencies, the PLP and Almighty God for. And though along the way to victory God took some PLP’s home to be with Him and other PLP’s took different paths, after six months in government, the new PLP has so much to be grateful to the electorate for.

And after these first six months in Office, though the economic finances of the government is much worse then anyone could have imagined, the electorate has so much to still be grateful for; because they got rid of the dastardly FNM on May 2, 2002. The storm is over.

And tonight as I make my last speech as Chairman of the new PLP, I have not come to praise the FNM and their Caesar—but to bury them once and for all!

My fellow PLP brothers and sisters and those of goodwill toward the Bahamas, I have firstly come tonight to say goodbye as the PLP National Chairman and to welcome my successor who will walk in my footsteps as the new Chairperson. I have also come to explain how through the deliberate acts of the previous Administration, just how serious and dire the economic condition in the nation is at this time. And naturally, as Minister of Public Works, Utilities and Bahamasair, I have also come to tell you what my government is planning and doing to rescue the country from the terrible circumstances left by the FNM on the Bahamas. The new PLP is about securing our future together with all Bahamians.

Therefore, as we celebrate this 47th PLP National Convention, for all of those wicked FNM Officials sitting out in television land, I have come in part tonight to say that though the storm is over for the Bahamian electorate, it’s still going to be real stormy for FNM’s in this place tonight.

CHAIRMANSHIP REPORT (2000 TO PRESENT)/
ADVICE FOR NEW CHAIRPERSON
My brothers and sisters, I was privileged to have been the new PLP’s National Chairman for the past two years during which time we won the General Elections. And though I can call my chairmanship successful because the end resulted in my Party winning the General Election Campaign, I would be ignoring how valuable everyone in the Party Corp was at pivotal times, if I didn’t summarize for this Convention what really happened along the way.

My brothers and sisters, the Chairmanship race of the 2000 Convention was hotly contested.  I challenged the former Chairman and the formidable protégé of Sir Lynden Pindling, known now as Minister Obie Wilchcombe. Both of us fought mightily, though never losing sight of our inherent right to campaign with the reality being that the winner would have the support of the other. And at the end of the day, though I was the victor, Minister Obie Wilchcombe still supported me and today we still support each other as Cabinet Colleagues. I thank Minister Wilchcombe for helping in the smooth transition of the Chairmanship from his stewardship to mine at what would turn out to be the most pivotal point to date in the PLP’s march to victory.

My brothers and sisters, it is against that backdrop of events that I now report to you on my time as Chairman of the greatest and oldest Political Party in the history of the Bahamas. Though all the odds were against us, we in the new PLP worked hard to put together a group of candidates that obviously was formidable and credible. And even the candidates that did not win are poised to be in the next team of new PLP’s to win seats in the next General Election.

My brothers and sisters, our Candidates Committee picked the very best of the best to represent us not only on the Campaign field, but also in the character needed to show the public that this organization was really a new PLP. We worked day and night and as I now reflect on those times, I truly believe that God had already given us our General Election victory after the 2000 Convention and all we had to do was claim it and possess the land set out for us.

My brothers and sisters, when the Referendum came along in February of 2002, the new PLP was in high gear and we got even more encouragement to press on when God put the reality of our victory in the mouth of the enemy, when big mouth Hubert told the nation whoever won the Referendum would win the General Election. Nevertheless we still had to posses what God would give our great organization. And come election time, PLP’s literally swarmed the land. At times rallies were being held in three different places across the nation. I can remember the many times big mouth Hubert would laugh when I would tell him in Parliament that 2002 would not be like 1992 or 1997. He laughed then but he’s not laughing now, for after the recent Elections even he said that we had a very cohesive campaign team.

My brothers and sisters, though persons living in New Providence witnessed the togetherness and razor sharp precision of the new PLP Campaign, I want to tell you that it was in the Family Islands that we on the campaign trail saw the full fruits of our efforts. The Family Islanders showed unconditional support and love. It was Family Islanders that stayed with us from the moment we touched down in a Family Island, until the minute our plane left for another venue.

It is with that in mind that I salute all the Family Island delegates who are with us at this Convention, as well as those residents who showed absolute confidence in the new PLP. It goes without question that while we stationed in New Providence were totally focused on the business at hand, Family Islanders were also focused on blazing the path ahead of us to bring our message to them. I say a special thank you as the Chairman to Family Islanders; the new PLP certainly could not have come this far without all of you.

My brothers and sisters, it was also said by those who had wished to see our demise that during the recent Election Campaign we were flush with money and the kind of money that is nefarious. Well let me tell you tonight that when God is on your side it always seems that way to the wicked. And it seems that way because God always prepares a table in the midst of the enemies of his children.

It would have seemed like we had a world full of money and that is because God opened his storehouse of treasures to the new PLP by giving us just enough of what we needed to do what needed to be done at a given time. So to those who mean us harm, if it seems that we had millions of dollars, that is only because what we had came pressed down and multiplied as a blessing from God. Therefore, if anyone has any claim of corrupt intentions on the part of this Party concerning campaign financing, I encourage them to come forward and make their case. But to you my PLP brothers and sisters, I can assure you as Chairman during the Elections that no such weapon formed against this new PLP Party will prosper.

It is also in that regard that I take this opportunity to again thank all of those persons who contributed financially to our 2002 Campaign Crusade. I thank those persons who gave out of what little they had and those persons who gave out of their abundance. And the one and only promise made to you still stands; we will move the country forward and to its proper place and role in the world, with prosperity as our goal for all Bahamians. The storm is over and we are about the business of securing our future together with all persons of goodwill.

And as I make this last speech as your humble Chairman and servant, I give this advice to the one who shall follow in my footsteps, such as my introducer, Raynard Rigby is vying to do; be committed, be resolved; be loyal; be innovative and stay focused on what is most important, moving the Party forward into new vista’s and new plateau’s. It will not be easy, but it will be rewarding if you accept that your job is to keep the PLP relevant to the times and to the small man. The new PLP has so much to be grateful to God and the voters for.

FNM ASSISTANCE IN PLP VICTORY
As a result of our recent victory at the Election Polls, it would be most ungrateful if I also didn’t thank the concepts of criminality, corruption, deception, indecency and stupidity. It would be wrong if I didn’t thank Hubert Ingraham and the FNM. While we didn’t find out until 2001 that FNM Officials were bouncing cheques to the Treasury and swindling hotel investor’s way back in 1993, the year 1997 was when the FNM made it known that voters needed the new PLP.

My brothers and sisters, do you remember the $143 million dollar deficit right after the 97 Elections? The criminal mind never ceases to amaze me. Do you remember Hubert said the deficit had nothing to do with trying to buy an election? And then there was the case of Oncology Associates Ltd Cancer Scandal. And my brothers and sisters, what about the 17 babies that died in PMH because of government negligence over bacteria in the prenatal care unit? Who was held accountable for that? And what about the U. S. Travel Advisory in the summer of 1998 after some bomb threat? Did we ever find out who the supposed suspect was? In fact, from the profile description that Hubert gave the nation of this mysterious pathological liar and Sandilands patient, one could easily believe that he was talking about himself.

My brothers and sisters, then there was the Gulf Union Bank Scandal. The FNM Government knew for months that the bank was in trouble and even used Central Bank money to prop it up. Did they ever try to hold anyone accountable for this fiasco? Then there was Hubert Ingraham’s attempt to bust up the Batelco Union and privatize Batelco. And who was it that almost got busted up instead by Batelco Workers on Bay Street? Big mouth Hubert Ingraham. His mouth was hard when he was inside the Parliament, but outside he was speechless and out of breath as he ran for his life into the Churchill Building.

And what about Clifton Cay? Do you remember that Ingraham had his goon squad, led by the Chief Goon, Speaker Italia Johnson, cut off the cameras in the Parliament, just so the public couldn’t hear the debate?

And what about this one, my brothers and sisters…. The only Minister that Hubert said he could trust, Frank Watson and the $135,000 spent on a plane that never flew this way?  We knew long time what happened to that money. We have so much to be grateful to the FNM for. And how about the Long Island Dossier Drug Scandal? Didn’t FNM’s say that I was lying? Didn’t FNM’s say I put lives in danger? Didn’t even some of the suspects say that the money used to build a 100-room hotel and marina was not drug money? Where are my accusers now and who were the liars? The only injustice done in my revealing the drug scandal is that some FNM Officials are not before the courts also. I guess FNM’s blame me for that too.

My brothers and sisters, then there was the outrageously scandalous year of 2001 and government contracts given out to FNM’s to garner their loyalty and in other cases contracts were given out by FNM Officials to their own companies. So who was to blame for that? While we can assume that Tommy and Dion were only learning and Brent was only doing what he knows to do when it comes to government contracts; it took a more seasoned crook to abuse the taxpayers funds in 2001. And again it was Hubert Ingraham who was the prime suspect. Oh we have so much to be grateful to the FNM for.

And finally my brothers and sisters, in 2002, January 16th to be exact; the question and subject of treason came into the public domain. And what did Hubert Ingraham do? He shut down the House of Assembly. He said to hell with the Hurricane Relief Bill and the $125 million dollar Appropriation Bill to prop up the economy. He put his tail between his legs and hauled u know what out of the Parliament, to never again see the place as Prime Minister or Government Member. What was he afraid of? He ran out of Parliament in January and in February he ran right into an angry monster called the Referendum. Again I say; we have so much to be grateful to the FNM for because they weren’t taking any chances on the new PLP losing, so they decided to attack the church. The FNM couldn’t wait for May 2nd to roll around. And today, the new PLP and the people of the Bahamas has so much to be grateful to the FNM for because now the storm is over.

 My brothers and sisters, the greatest advantage for me personally of the electorate voting the FNM out of Office is that I don’t have to see Madame Speaker in the House of Assembly anymore. I don’t have to hear her muttering under her breath anymore. I don’t have to wonder anymore if she’s making faces at what I say, or if that’s just the way she looks. I don’t have to see Madame Speaker in the Parliament anymore or ever again. Thank God, the storm and the ugliness it brought to the nation is over. I thank the FNM for giving her enough rope in Parliament to hang herself.

My brothers and sisters, though the new PLP is moving to secure our future together and have much to be grateful to the FNM for, they could have at least told us a few things before they left Office. They could have told us that all the bragging they did about an improved infrastructure wasn’t true. They could have told us that all the fixing up and construction they did was only cosmetic. They could have told us that they wouldn’t have been out of power for more than six months before we found out that the Prince George Dock should be condemned.

My brothers and sisters they could have told us the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority was ready to close us down because our airport runways were accidents waiting to happen. They could have told us that the schools, even some new ones, were deathtraps waiting to injure our children and teachers. And they could have told us that our economy was going belly up long before the terrorist attacks of September 9, 2001.

My brothers and sisters, though we knew some of these things while in Opposition, they still could have told us the full story. Nevertheless the storm is over my brothers and sisters and we should never be ungrateful to the FNM for their ten spiteful years in Office, for it has given us new encouragement to secure our future together as new PLP’s and Bahamians.

And just to show how grateful the new PLP is for the ten years of the FNM, we are going to fix the dock. We are going to fix the airport roads. We are going to fix the schools. We are going to fix the economy and your pockets in the process. And yes, we are going to tell Cable Bahamas to put their services in every island—or we’ll find someone else who will. All of these things and more the new PLP Government are going to do and though it’s going to take time, we are moving to secure our future you and I, us and them, the entire Bahamian community together. It is going to take all of us, and our prayers to God, to overcome the rough ten-year journey we’ve taken to a new day in the Bahamas. But now that the storm is over, we can do it, after all the FNM made it possible.

SECURING THE FUTURE TOGETHER/ MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS
My brothers and sisters, now that I have thanked the FNM for ten years of criminality, corruption and deceit as contributing factors for our victory on May 2, 2002; I would like to now focus on my ministerial portfolios and how they will assist us in securing our future together.
 THE WATER SECTOR
I shall begin first with portable water, a critical and vital item to man’s existence. There are many concerns that need to be addressed in upgrading the services that are provided by the Water and Sewerage Corporation.  First and foremost is the need for appropriate regulations so that the groundwater resources of the Commonwealth can be protected and conserved for future generations. In this regard a study is being undertaken which will focus on the environment, the threats to groundwater, and the legislation and regulations needed to administer this sector in a Bahamian context.

Secondly, significant amounts of funding are required to develop the infrastructure that is needed to make water available for all, and to deal with the untreated sewage that the nation’s urban areas is creating.  The problem of sewage is a major concern in New Providence where many persons still use private wells, and it is now becoming a serious problem in the Family Islands, particularly where there are settlements with enclosed harbours which are being threatened by pollution from septic tanks and boats which discharge wastes directly into the sea. As we speak the Water and Sewerage Corporation in the process of implementing a pilot project to test private wells in specific areas of New Providence, to show the homeowners the quality of the water they are using and give inducements for these persons to make use of, or return to, the city supply which is a safe treated supply. It is hoped that this project will become an island- wide undertaking in the near future.

In New Providence we all know that too much water is being lost through old leaky pipes and these all need to be replaced in an ongoing mains replacement program.  The Water and Sewerage Corporation has received proposals to deal with what is now known as “non-revenue water” but there is no cheap solution and we may be looking for as much as $20-million to come to gripes with this problem.

There are many challenges facing the Water and Sewerage Corporation  and in order to confront these, head on, the Corporation has developed – with the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank, and others, a Corporate Business Plan.  The objectives of this is to turn the Water and Sewerage Corporation around, from being a net loss to the Government to becoming a profitable operation capable of funding the large capital expenditures required to bring water and sewerage facilities up to the standards that are required in the developed world.

These are challenging times for the Water and Sewerage Corporation and to be able to deal with the problems facing it the Corporation will need a cadre of highly trained professionals with visionary insight and the strength and determination needed to achieve what has always seemed to be the impossible. The Government must work closely with the Water and Sewerage Corporation, and provide the support it needs, so that it can move to the level of service we all expect for such an essential commodity.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS TOWARDS IMPROVING FAMILY ISLAND WATER SUPPLIES
A decision has been made to address the needs of those islands that require water produced by means of the desalination process known as reverse osmosis.  To this effect a contract was signed with Bimini Bay Water Company to provide high quality water in Bimini and the residents have been benefiting from this arrangement since August.

A contract has also been agreed with Aqua Design Bahamas Limited to provide a similar supply of high quality water in Inagua, and this should be implemented before Christmas.

Approval has been given for the Water and Sewerage Corporation to negotiate the best terms and conditions it can with a local company that submitted the lowest bid to provide desalinated water for the system that was installed in Central Long Island, and it is hoped that his supply will become available by May 2003.

Arrangements are now being made for pipes to be installed in Farmers Cay and Staniel Cay so that these communities can also benefit from having water supplied by means of reverse osmosis.  These pipes are currently being installed prior to the reconstruction of the roads.

The Water and Sewerage Corporation recently went out to tender for contracts to supply desalination water in Great Exuma and South Eleuthera and the bids are due on 12th December.

From the above it is evident that the Government has made a serious commitment to bringing quality water to Family Island communities.  This water is costly and no doubt water rates will need to be increased so that the level of subsidy can be minimized.  There are other islands that require desalinated water and in due course they too will benefit from this programme.  These will include San Salvador and Ragged Island in particular amongst others.
In Acklins some level of relief has been brought to the people of Salina Point.  A new 2000 gallon tanker was shipped to the island along with two 2000 gallon tanks and these are now in place in Salina Point.  The Water and Sewerage Corporation is now capable of delivering 4000 gallons of water a day to this community which they can access by means of standpipes.  The Corporation is actively considering the introduction of a reverse osmosis plant and the installation of pipes to the homes in the Salina Point community.
In North Acklins the new water system serving Lovely Bay, Pastel and Chesters has been completed and piped water has finally become a reality to these people.  Just yesterday afternoon I instructed the Water Corporation to connect without delay all homes in the mentioned settlements and where necessary a standpipe to each home. A 2000 gallons tanker has been shipped to Cat Island and with improvements made to the wellfield in the Deans Wood area, the efficiency of the water tankering service on the island has been greatly improved.

There are still many areas in the Bahamas where piped water is not available, but all of us know water is essential to life, and therefore these needs must be addressed.  The programme to bring drinking water to all will continue.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the new PLP Government is securing the future for portable water for all Bahamians.

BAHAMAS ELECTRICTY CORPORATION
Mr. Session Chairman, fellow delegates, As Minister with responsibility for B.E.C I just recently had the pleasure of being a part of the commissioning of one of the corporations gas turbines generators which I am advised should provide some relief to the load shedding problem which takes place constantly throughout the island.
I am cognizant of the fact that the Bahamian Public expects better service from Bahamas Electricity Corporation (B.E.C) Consequently, I will never let the opportunity pass to remind the management and staff at Bahamas Electricity Corporation (B.E.C) of this deficiency until the public is reasonable assured that Bahamas Electricity Corporation (B.E.C)  is able to provide them with a reliable service.  I will continue to admonish management of the need to become more proactive.  I will continually stress the need for the corporation to implement maintenance programmes along with the need to bring Bahamas Electricity Corporation (B.E.C). to become the best it can become.
A recent review of the power generation needs of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation has revealed that B.E.C’s management needs to be more forceful in addressing short comings with employees, equipment, processes and vendors.   It stated that generating unit availability is much lower that it should be.
Average system availability has fallen from around 83% in 1997 to only 73% in 2001.  Many major overhauls and periodic inspections have not been performed.

As a result of management’s negligent, chronic defects are often accepted instead of solved and repaired as long as the unit can still be operated.  To put it in plain language, they let the engines run until they break down. Historical insurance audits indicate that maintenance has been lacking and the report calls for additional technical talent being needed at both Clifton Pier and Blue Hills.

The study further revealed that the pattern of not diagnosing and not addressing problems at the Corporation has led to malaise and the growing acceptance of mediocre performance.  “The will to manage the Corporation is weak”.  The end result is that those employees who would wish to make a difference at the corporation are normally discouraged.

Mr. Session Chairman, Fellow Delegates, Ladies & Gentleman;
Some three (3) weeks ago, B.E.C. commissioned new    K.W. Gas Turbine Generator at the Blue Hills Power Station.  This piece of equipment is the beginning of a programme to modernize the equipment at Blue Hills.  I am advised that the modernization programme, along with the introduction of a high performance work force, would prepare B.E.C. to meet the demands and challenges both present and future.
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 street lighting matters.

Mr. Session Chairman, fellow Delegates, As the Minister I will continue to highlight B.E.C.’s shortcomings and will continue to strongly admonish those responsible for shoddy the service the corporation gives the Bahamian taxpayers.
 B.E.C is also currently installing a new 30 Megawatt Slow Speed Diesel Generator costing  $34.8 million Clifton Pier which should be operational during the first quarter of 2003.  The company is also constructing a new 132 KV transmission line to link Clifton Pier with the leisure time substations and the Cable Beach substation which is also under construction.  This work, along with the construction of other additional substations, will cost the company some  $20 million and should also be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2003.
The island-wide street lighting programme in New Providence is almost 100% complete and should be completed early next year and the Corporation has advised that similar programmes are ongoing in the more populated Family Island communities.  In Abaco, Treasure Cay was recently connected to the Marsh Harbour electricity supply and similar re-inforcements are in progress in the Abaco Cays.
A new generating plant will be installed in Exuma at a cost of $8.0 million and new fuel storage facilities are being constructed in Eleuthera at a cost of $750,000.00.  This work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

 Fellow delegates, your new PLP Government will continue to aggressively resolve the problems at BEC in our commitment to secure continuous power supply for all.

 BAHAMAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
Mr. Session Chairman, Fellow Delegates, Ladies & Gentlemen:
The privatization of The Bahamas Telecommunications commenced some three years ago as this was said to be one of the requirements of The World Trade Organization (WTO) in order for the Bahamas to become a member of that organization.  Regrettably,  the privatization efforts have not yet been completed and up to May 2002 has cost the Bahamian tax payers some $131.0 million in separation packages and consultancy fees.  Additionally, some $23.0 million has already been expended on overtime payments and it is expected that the Corporation will have to spend additional sizable sums on overtime payments before the privatization process is completed.
After expending some  $200 million in preparation for privatization, it will be interesting to learn what will be the best offer tendered by a potential strategic partner when the process is completed.

In order to improve its viability before privatization, BTC is planning to link its Family Island Network, with a Domestic Fiber Optic Submarine Cable.  This network is designed to satisfy the national needs of the country for at least 25 years.
The company plans to proceed with the installation of this new system very shortly and it is expected that the work would be completed within 8 months after commencement.  The cost of the work cable will be somewhere in the vicinity of $60 million and will greatly enhance the company’s competitive edge through its accommodation of Family Island Projects like the Emerald Bay, four seasons and Club Med developments.
In New Providence there are mainly a number of areas, Marshall/Cowpen Roads, Gladstone Road and the Pinewood Gardens Subdivision that are being serviced by overhead copper cables.  These cables have all been exhausted and consequently  BTC is unable to offer any additional service to new residents in the aforementioned communities.  As a result, the existing systems must all be rehabilitated and replaced using Fiber Optic cabling.

In the Marshall/Cowpen Road area the BTC will expend some $1.4
million to install additional Joint Boxes and Fiber Optic cable to accommodate the residents in the area.

At Gladstone Road, the cost to rehabilitate the existing network is pegged at $1.35 million; and in Pinewood Gardens, the company will spend some $250,000.00 to upgrade the capacity there.  It is further noted that the cost to supply telephone services to the Venice Bay Subdivision is pegged at $1.09 million.

The major benefits of these capital investments are:
· The provisions of additional telephone lines to a number of subdivisions
· Increase in customer base in New Providence
· The delivery of DSL and special services
· The reduction in maintenance costs due to faculty cable
· Increase in revenue due to the rental of lines, toll and internet services.
BAHAMASAIR

Mr. Session Chairman, Fellow Delegates, The national airline, throughout it’s twenty-nine (29) year history has incurred expenses far in excess of the revenue it receives.  Consequently, Bahamasair has an accumulated deficit to date in excess of $315 million.  At the end of July 2002 the shareholders deficit stood at  $78.0 million, share capital at $9.2 million and an invested or paid in capital of  $227.0 million.

Although the airline continues to operate at a deficit, it enjoys an enviable safety record and enjoys an open sky arrangement with North America and many other countries.
The present Board of Directors during its appointment were mandated to restructure the airline so that it would become a profitable entity with two years.  After a careful review of the operations at Bahamasair, the Board has presented government with a set of bold initiatives  which it feels would turn the company around.
Balance Sheet Restructuring
Of particulars note to the Board of Directors was the fact that:
Bahamasair presently carries on its books approximately $35 million in dormant government payables and $37.6M in  non asset based/non revenue producing  Bank  Debts such as loans for settlement of U.S. Taxes ($15M), National Insurance Board Loan ($13M) etc… which should  be liquidated to regularize the Balance Sheet.  The government is being requested to forgive this debt  (which totals a whopping $72.6M)  which would place Bahamasair in a strong  financial position to negotiate loans with private commercial lending institutions on its own merit.
 Staff Redeployment
Overstaffing has always been a problem for the airline.  Presently, the staff count stands at 716 persons.  It is the Board’s recommendation that this figure now be reduced by 150 persons, bringing the headcount down to 564 person. There are 45 of them who have reached the age of 55 and over and therefore qualify for early retirement from Bahamasair.  The proposal is to absorb the remaining persons in various departments throughout the Public Service where there is said to be a need for such services.  It is estimated that this downsizing will account for about $3.5 million annually in savings.
Additionally, the Board is proposing pay cuts, amounting to $1.0 million annually, to bring Management and Pilots salaries in line with the current industry standards.
Route Realignments and Fare Increases
It is proposed that the airline’s routes will be so realigned to allow sub-carriers to operate on behalf of Bahamasair. Whilst the government is prepared to allow sub-carriers to service these routes on behalf of Bahamasair, it is the governments intention to ensure that the same high operating standards Bahamasair offers continued by the sub carriers. By discontinuing its service to low-density routes, the company will be in a better position to concentrate on high yield destinations like, Marsh Harbour /Palm Beach, Cap Haitien, Haiti, Havana, Cuba, Orlando and the Freeport to Miami routes.
Fleet
The Board of Directors has also recommended that Bahamasair speedily move to lease two (2) additional Dash-8 aircraft by the end of this month in order to capitalize on the increased traffic which is normally experienced during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.  The lease of these two (2) pieces of equipment is expected to improve the company’s annual revenue base by some  $5.0 million.  Additionally, the Board is also seeking government’s approval to off load its two (2) outdated 737-200 aircraft and replace them with the lease of newer and more cost efficient 737-300 aircraft to provide lift in Freeport, as well as to meet peak demands placed on Bahamasair’s existing routes.  It is noteworthy that the 737-200 that the company presently owns utilize some 5,000lbs of fuel per hour while 737-300 series will burn approximately 2,500lbs of fuel per hour) Projections on fuel savings alone indicate that the newer 737-300 series will benefit the company by deriving some  $9.0million per annum in revenue.
Code Share
The Airline is presently holding discussions with a number of major carriers with the view of code sharing to allow easier connections be other international carriers and Bahamasair and subsequently improved lift and revenue.
Mr. Session Chairman, Fellow Delegates, The present Board of Directors have forecasted that with the implementation of the initiatives I have just shared with you, the airline can theoretically achieve profitability and solvency within two years.
COMPUTERISATION OF BUILDINGS PERMITS/ APPLICATIONS – SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS TO DEVELOP NEW SUBDIVISIONS

Mr. Session Chairman, Fellow Delegates:  The most harrowing experience of a new home owner or developer is the inordinate length of time one experiences when attempting to have building permit and subdivision applications processed by the Ministry of Works and Utilities.
Since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for works, I have, on numerous occasions, advised staff of the need to improve the efficiency and turn around time for building permits and subdivisions approvals.
I am pleased to advise the public that efforts are presently underway to have all building permits and subdivision applications computerized and made available to the public through internet services by the end of April 2003.  My Ministry will develop a website specifically for the public to access to review the status of building permit applications, the status of buildings inspections and similarly the status of subdivisions applications.
Additionally, a work station will be placed on the ground floor of the MOW JFK HQ for the public who might wish to walk in to access the status of their particular development. Site Inspectors will be provided with hand held computers to afford them the capability of entering the data on site and upon their return to the office the information regarding the specific inspection could be immediately downloaded into the main frame computer to instantly update the project status.
NEW PROVIDENCE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
As is now common knowledge, work on this $52 million contract came to an abrupt halt in July 2002, when the Contractor, Associated Asphalt, went bust. At that time, only some 20% of the roadworks had been completed.
My Ministry has now formally terminated that contract, and invoked the Advance Payment Bond by demanding from the guarantor Bank their immediate repayment of the US $7.5 million paid to Associated Asphalt at the start of the job. I have also now authorized additional payments to Associated Asphalt’s creditors from the $2,086,000 withheld from AA at the time of their collapse, in order to bring much-needed relief to all those who supplied materials, services and their labour to the project.
In order to get the works underway again next Spring, advertisements have recently been placed in the local and international press inviting interested contractors to apply for inclusion on the new tender short-listing. This time, stringent requirements have been set to ensure that short-listed companies or joint ventures are financially robust, and have the required experience and resources, to ensure a successful conclusion. In particular, the qualification documents strongly emphasize the wish of this Government to maximize Bahamian participation this time around.   Bidders will be required to spell out their intended arrangements in this regard.

The whole re-tendering and award process is being expedited so that the successful bidder will be appointed by April 2003. This will allow the new contractor to mobilize in time for the critical Prince Charles Drive improvements which, to minimize public inconvenience, we will require to be completed during the summer school break next year. Overall, a construction period of twenty-one months is envisaged, so that the new completion date for all the remaining roadworks will be December 2004.
I am pleased to take the opportunity to announce that within a few weeks Bahamian contractors will get the opportunity to show what they can do in their own right. The dualling of Harrold Road - with full reconstruction of the existing carriageway - from Baillou Hill Road to the Sir Milo Butler Highway, will be tendered and then constructed by Bahamians to the full international standards used for the design and specification of the main New Providence Road Improvement Project.  This section of Harrold Road originally formed part of that contract, but our skilled Bahamian contractors will now have the chance to win this key section of roadworks - and bring early relief to the many who travel this neglected and
congested roadway.
FAMILY ISLAND PROJECTS – STATUS REPORT
Fellow Delegates, before I conclude I wish to share with this convention in particular with the Family Island delegates an outline of infrastructural programmes presently in progress and under the supervision of my Ministry.
At Rum Cay the Government will shortly commence work on the construction of the airstrip.  My Ministry is presently reviewing the Tenders for the work and once the evaluation has been completed, the contact will be awarded.  Tenders have been invited for the additional civil works at the San Salvador airport which included the expansion of the turning apron to accommodate the wide body jet aircraft that will fly the Club Med. guests in from Europe.  The cost of this additional work including the security fencing is estimated at $225,000.

A contract will be announced shortly for the repair and construction of seven docks in North and Central Eleuthera damaged by Hurricane Floyd.  New docks will be built at Tarpum Bay, James Cistern, Current Island and the Bogue.  Others will be repaired. A contract will be awarded shortly for the repair of the approaches to the Glass Window Bridge.

 Work should start in January.  The Government is seeking a long-term solution to the Glass Window Bridge and is considering the construction of a bypass causeway on the quiet side of the bridge.  A decision on this will be made in the near future. Seawall repairs have been completed for most of Cat Island and road works in Arthur’s Town will shortly begin.  Tenders will shortly be called for the reinstatement of the main highway in the Tea Bay to Knowles area, as well as a tender for a new dock in Bennet’s Harbour.  Each project is estimated to cost $500,000.

The Government has approved the construction of the terminal building at Mayaguana at the cost of $389,000.00.  Before any additional funds could be expended on the terminal building at Inagua, a second structural inspection will be carried out to determine the structural integrity of the building and how best the Government should proceed with the completion of this structure. The completion of this will take place early next year.

Major roadwork has been carried out on both North and South Bimini Island at the cost of some $842,000.00. However, additional work will be carried out to the cemetery road at Bailey Town, and road re-instatement brought about by the implementation of the new water system supply.  This along with the concrete works on Queens Street will cost an additional $710,423.00 to carry out.  A marine engineering consultant will shortly be engaged to make recommendations on how best to address the silting problem of the main channel in Bimini.

Repairs will be carried out early next year to the roads in the Salina Point Acklins area.  In Crooked Island a contract will be advertised shortly for the construction of a new mail boat dock to serve the area.  The cost is estimated to be $1.2 million.

Some $240,000.00 was expended on dredging work at Sweeting’s and Water Cay under the previous administration prior to any studies being carried out on the changing land conditions in the area.  The contractor is requesting a further sum of $600,000 to undertake additional dredging work.

However, before my Ministry approved this expenditure, an analysis will be carried out to determine the extent of the work required and the cost involved.
Tenders for the work at the Fishing Hole Road, West Grand Bahama were closed some two  (2) weeks ago and are presently being evaluated by the technical staff at my Ministry.  Following the evaluation of Tenders, a small eighteen (18) foot span bridge with raise approaches at either end will be constructed to address the flooding problems experienced, particularly during the winter months. Improvements to settlement roads in West Grand Bahama are ongoing and will be completed in the new year.  A contract will also be shortly awarded to address the flooding problem in West End.

The long over due South Andros roads repair program will shortly commence and the savings achieved could be utilized to correct the silting of the bay.   Long overdue major road repairs in Great Harbour Cay was completed at a cost of $1.5 million and additional roads are being considered.

The dock at Marsh Harbour is now about 90% complete and all remaining site works should be finished by the end of January 2003.  One dock at Fox Town has just been completed.  A tender will be release shortly to construct a hurricane hole for fisherman to the west of Fox Town.  The Sandy Point road and seawall was recently tendered and a contract award will be announced shortly.  The repair of a number of small side roads in Dundas and Murphy Towns and Marsh Harbour is nearing completion.  This project brings relief to thousands of residents who suffered with poor roads for years.

In Exuma work is nearing completion on the new bridges at Barretarre and a contract will be advertised for a new government dock near Georgetown in January 2003.  The Georgetown Bridge is also scheduled for replacement at the same time. And, I am advised that the airport and docking facility in Ragged Island are in poor shape and will have to be addressed.

CONCLUSION
My brothers and sisters, I end as I began by saying that for the past ten years we had to secure our homes and our lives because the storm of crime terrorized us all. For the past ten years we had to secure every penny because the storm of fiscal incompetence and economic lies threatened to make us paupers. For the past ten years we had to secure our jobs on a daily basis because the storm of an uncaring government left us fighting for survival.

But on May 2, 2002, the storm was over. Today and tomorrow we won’t have to secure our homes, secure our bodies, secure every penny or be in fear of unsecured employment. That storm is dead and gone. Now join us, your new PLP Government in securing our future for all Bahamians together. PLP! All The Way! PLP! The Only Way.