HON. KENRED DORSETT M. P.
MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING
BUDGET COMMUNICATION
2015/2016
THANK YOU MR. SPEAKER
MR. SPEAKER,
I RISE ONCE AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN SHORES. PERMIT ME MR. SPEAKER, TO ONCE AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGE THEM FOR AFFORDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THEM IN THIS PLACE. IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THEM AND I THANK THEM FOR SUPPORTING ME FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS IN ALL OF THE COMMUNITY ENDEAVOURS THAT I HAVE ADVANCED AND I AM GRATEFUL TO THEM FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
MUCH WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THERE IS MORE TO COME.
MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO THANK THE URBAN RENEWAL SMALL HOME REPAIR PROGRAMME. A FEW OF MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THE PROGRAMME AND THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE. MR. SPEAKER, I’M NOT ASKING FOR MUCH. IF I GET AS MANY REPAIRS AS KILLARNEY; MR. SPEAKER, SOUTHERN SHORES WILL BE HAPPY. KILLARNEY COMPLAINS ABOUT URBAN RENEWAL BUT GETS MORE UNDER THE PROGRAMME THAN OTHERS. ANYWAY, MR. SPEAKER, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH URBAN RENEWAL OVER THE SUMMER TO COMPLETE ROOF REPAIRS IN THE CONSTITUENCY TO HELP MY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE RAINY AND HURRICANE SEASON.
MR. SPEAKER
WHILE TALKING ABOUT SMALL HOME REPAIRS, I WANT TO ALSO COMMEND THIS CARING PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE FOR PROVIDING DUTY RELIEF ON SMALL HOME REPAIR MATERIALS IN DEPRESSED AREAS. THIS WILL HELP MANY BAHAMIANS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS BUT IN PARTICULAR IN DEPRESSED AREAS IN NEW PROVIDENCE. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS ADDITIONAL RELIEF WILL HELP OUR PEOPLE.
MR. SPEAKER, I ALSO WANT TO ADVISE MY CONSTITUENTS THAT IN A FEW WEEKS WE WILL BE OPENING THE NEW SOUTHERN SHORES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE. THE STATE OF THE ART INSTITUTE WILL BE USED TO ADVANCE LEADERSHIP TRAINING; JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING; PROGRAMMES FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT A HAND UP AND NOT A HAND OUT. I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK PASTOR HERVIS BAIN III, WHO IS COORDINATOR FOR THE INSTITUTE, FOR HIS PASSION AND DRIVE IN HELPING TO ADVANCE THE INSTITUTE AND SEE THE ILEAD PROGRAMME COME TO FRUITION.
MR. SPEAKER I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE FOR ACCEEDING TO YOUR REQUEST TO RAISE THE CONSTITUENCY ALLOWANCE. MR. SPEAKER, ANATOL RODGERS HAS HAD A STELLAR YEAR. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE INCREASE BECAUSE I WILL BE USING SOME OF THE FUNDS TO DONATE A BUS TO THE SCHOOL TO ASSIST THE MIGHTY TIMBERWOLVES OF ANATOL TO GET TO AND FROM THEIR SPORTING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS.
MR. SPEAKER THIS FISCAL YEAR-2015/2016-WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON ROAD REPAIRS IN THE CONSTITUENCY, MORE PROGRAMMES FOR AT RISK YOUTH, PARK DEVELOPMENT AND MORE JOBS.
MR. SPEAKER
CONGRATULATIONS ARE INDEED IN ORDER FOR PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, THE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE, RT. HON. PERRY G. CHRISTIE FOR HIS LATEST BUDGET COMMUNICATION. THE COMMUNICATION WAS INSPIRING, CONCISE, AND INNOVATIVE AND WAS A SOURCE OF HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER DAY FOR US ALL. THIS YEAR’S BUDGET COMMUNICATION WAS CLEARLY ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY AND ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GET AHEAD. IT CONCENTRATED ON THE THREE PILLARS OF BUILDING A STRONGER BAHAMAS: SAFETY, MODERNIZATION AND PROSPEERITY. MR. SPEAKER THIS YEAR’S BUDGET COMMUNICATION WAS SO INNOVATIVE THAT THOSE ON THE SIDE OPPOSITE WERE SHELL SHOCKED AND ONCE AGAIN COULD ONLY REBUTT IT WITH THEIR USUAL ‘PIE IN THE SKY’ RETORT. HOPEFULLY, THIS YEAR WILL NOT BE A REPEAT OF LAST YEAR WHEN THEY WERE SO SHELL SHOCKED THAT THEY VOTED AGAINST THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE COUNTRY. THEY DID NOT SUPPORT FUNDING TO PAY CIVIL SERVANTS, THEY DID NOT SUPPORT FUNDNG FOR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES; BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, YOU HEARD THEM ASK FOR FUNDING FOR WORK IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES. HOW DID THEY EXPECT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES WHEN THEY VOTED AGAINST THE BUDGET. ANYWAY, I TRUST THAT THIS YEAR, EVEN IF THEY OBJECT TO ELEMENTS OF THE BUDGET, THEY WILL SHOW POLITICAL MATURITY AND SUPPORT THE ANNUAL BUDGET.
MR SPEAKER
THE THREE PILLARS THAT THE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE SPOKE OF ARE NOT NEW TO THIS ADMINISTRATION. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD A SAFER MORE PROSPEROUS BAHAMAS THROUGH MODERNIZATION FROM DAY ONE. THE STRONGER BAHAMAS CAMPAIGN IS SIMPLY A MEANS TO ARTICULATE THIS TO OUR PEOPLE IN A WAY SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR GOVERNMENT IS DOING FOR AND ON THEIR BEHALF AND HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM WHAT IS BEING ADVANCED….SIMPLE. WE ARE BUILDING A STRONGER BAHAMAS. THAT IS OUR MISSION. THAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE. THAT IS OUR GOAL. I WOULD THINK THAT ANY BAHAMIAN POLITICAL PARTY WOULD SHARE THOSE OBJECTIVES, WHETHER IT IS THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY OR ANY OTHER PARTY IN GOVERNMENT….OR SO I THOUGHT!
MR. SPEAKER
THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY COMMITTED TO BRINGING CHANGE TO THE BAHAMAS IN OUR CHARTER FOR GOVERNANCE AND THAT IS THE COURSE WHICH THIS ADMINISTRATION IS ON. CHANGE IS WHAT WE PROMISED NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AT RALLIES HELD ACROSS THIS NATION. CHANGE IS WHAT WE SPOKE OF IN THE LIVING ROOMS AND ON THE PORCHES OF THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE IN THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES. CHANGE IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WANTED AND CHANGE IS WHAT THIS PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY ADMINISTRATION IS DELIVERING. EVERYDAY THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THIS SIDE PUT OUR SHOULDERS TO THE WHEEL AND BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL, BECAUSE FOR US, THIS IS NOT JUST A JOB BUT A CAUSE, A MOVEMENT AND A PROMISE TO BE KEPT TO OUR FELLOW BAHAMIANS.
MR SPEAKER
THESE CHANGES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THEIR TOTALITY. THEY ARE A MEANS TO ENSURE THAT THE ECONOMY OF THE BAHAMAS IS ONCE AGAIN BUOYANT AND THAT OUR PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND TO PURSUE THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL DESIRES. WHEN WE TOOK OFFICE, ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT WAS BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WAS THAT WE COULD NOT GO ABOUT BUSINESS AS USUAL. WE HAD TO CREATE NEW REVENUE STREAMS. WE HAD TO ENSURE THAT TRAINING WAS AVAILABLE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. WE HAD TO LOWER THE DEFICIT. WE HAD TO CREATE JOBS FOR THOUSANDS OF BAHAMIANS WHO WERE UNEMPLOYED. WE HAD TO BOLSTER OUR FOOD SECURITY STATUS. WE HAD TO REFORM AND MODERNIZE OUR SYSTEM OF TAXATION. WE HAD TO LOWER THE COST OF ELECTRICITY AND WE HAD TO DO ALL OF THIS KNOWING THAT THE BORROW AND SPEND METHOD OF THE PAST WAS NO LONGER READILY AVAILABLE TO US. WE KNEW ALL OF THAT MR. SPEAKER, AND WITH A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND DETERMINATION, WE HAVE ADVANCED LEGISLATION, PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES TO DO THOSE THINGS….ALL PART AND PARCEL OF BUILDING A STRONGER BAHAMAS.
MR SPEAKER
IN THREE SHORT YEARS, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE MUCH FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE BAHAMAS AND BAHAMIANS. WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED VALUE ADDED TAX, A NEW REVENUE GENERATING PROGRAMME, WHICH HAS BROUGHT MUCH NEEDED INCOME INTO THE CONSOLIDATED FUND. THE TARGETS SET BY THE GOVERNMENT IN RELATION TO VAT REVENUE SHOULD BE EXCEEDED SHOULD THE CURRENT COLLECTION TRENDS CONTINUE. MR. SPEAKER THOUGH VAT IS A BIG PART OF OUR TAX REFORM PROGRAMME IT IS NOT THE ONLY COMPONENT. AS THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE WOULD HAVE MENTIONED IN HIS PRESENTATION, AS PART OF OUR TAX REFORM EFFORTS CHANGES ARE BEING MADE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CUSTOMS. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE MODERNIZATION OF THE SYSTEMS UTILIZED BY THE ROAD TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL BRING THE PROCESSES OF THE DEPARTMENT INTO THE 21ST CENTURY AND CREATE GREATER CHECKS AND BALANCES.
WE ARE BRINGING RELIEF TO HOME OWNERS THROUGH CHANGES BEING IMPLEMENTED TO THE REAL PROPERTY TAX REGIME. MR. SPEAKER, I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THIS GOVERNMENT, FOR FINALLY PROVIDING REAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR PENSIONERS. MANY BAHAMIANS FIND THEMSELVES IN THEIR TWILIGHT YEARS, STRESSED AND WITHOUT A SOLUTION OR THE MEANS TO PAY REAL PROPERTY TAX. THEY BUILT HOMES IN THE 70S AND 80S AND SOME HAVE EVEN PAID OFF THEIR MORTGAGES. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF THEIR HOMES HAVE INCREASED WITHOUT THEM DOING ANYTHING. THE VALUES HAVE INCREASED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT AT A TIME WHEN THEY HAVE NO INCOME AND HAVE DEPLETED SAVINGS (IF THEY HAVE IT) TO PAY FOR FOOD AND HEALTHCARE, THEY ARE SCRAPPING TO PAY REAL PROPERTY TAX TO SAVE THEIR ONLY ASSET. THIS IS WRONG MR. SPEAKER. MANY OF THEM HAVE HAD TO CONSIDER ABANDONING THEIR HOMES. THIS RELIEF IS FROM THE HEART MR. SPEAKER. IT IS A GOOD POLICY AND I THANK THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR THIS.
MR SPEAKER
IN THREE SHORT YEARS THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS REDUCED THE GFS DEFICIT FROM THE OVER $500 MILLION LEFT BEHIND BY THE FORMER FNM ADMINISTRATION TO APPROXIMATELY $198 MILLION DOLLARS. A DROP OF OVER $300 MILLION. THIS WAS NOT DONE THROUGH LUCK OR BY CHANCE AS THE SIDE OPPOSITE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE THIS DEFICIT THROUGH PRUDENT SPENDING, REVENUE GENERATION AND THE REMARKABLE FISCAL MANAGEMENT OF OUR LEADER THE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE AND THE MEMBER FOR GOLDEN ISLES. IN THE BUDGET COMMUNICATION A FURTHER REDUCTION IN THE DEFICIT AND A SURPLUS BY THE PERIOD 2017/18 WAS FORECASTED. PRIME MINISTER CHRISTIE STATED, “THE BALANCE ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT WILL MOVE FROM A LONG-STANDING DEFICIT POSITION TO A BALANCED POSITION IN 2016/17.” HE WENT ON STATING, “THE GFS DEFICIT WILL BE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED AND A SMALL SURPLUS WILL BE RECORDED IN 2017/18.” YOU’LL HEAR THAT…A SURPLUS IN FIVE YEARS. IF THAT IS NOT PROGRESS, I DONT KNOW WHAT IS, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT ALL THAT HAS BEEN FORECASTED IN RELATION TO OUR FISCAL AFFAIRS SINCE COMING TO OFFICE IN 2012 HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OR SURPASSED. AS USUAL, THE SIDE OPPOSITE AND THE NAYSAYERS DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS CAN BE DONE BY THIS ADMINISTRATION. HOWEVER, MY COLLEAGUES AND I FULLY BELIEVE THAT WE CAN. WE BELIEVE THIS CAN BE DONE BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. POINT. BLANK. PERIOD.
WHEN THE BUDGET COMMUNICATION OF 2007/2008 WAS READ ON MAY 30TH, 2007, THE SIDE OPPOSITE HAD BEEN IN OFFICE LESS THAN ONE MONTH. THE FORMER MEMBER FOR NORTH ABACO, THE RT. HON. HUBERT INGRAHAM, SAID IN THIS PLACE, “IN THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE WE SPECIFICALLY COMMIT TO A “BALANCED BUDGET” FISCAL POLICY. I MAKE THIS COMMITMENT ONCE AGAIN AND FROM 2007/08 WE PLACE OURSELVES ON A COURSE THAT TAKES US TOWARDS MEETING THIS COMMITMENT. THUS, THE 2007/08 BUDGET PROJECTS A PLANNED RECURRENT BUDGET SURPLUS, THE FIRST SUCH PLANNED SURPLUS SINCE THE 2000/01 BUDGET.” MR. INGRAHAM ALSO SAID, “THE TOTAL FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN 2007/08 IS $1,465 MILLION. RECURRENT REVENUE IS $1,490 MILLION. THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS A PLANNED RECURRENT BUDGET SURPLUS OF $25 MILLION.” I ASK THE SIDE OPPOSITE, HOW EXACTLY DO THEY THINK THEIR FORMER LEADER WAS ABLE TO MAKE SUCH STATEMENTS. I BELIEVE HE EVEN TALKED ABOUT HAVING SO MUCH “ FISCAL HEADROOM” WHEN HE DESCRIBED THE ECONOMY HE INHERITED IN MAY 2007. SO ONCE AGAIN MR. SPEAKER, THROUGH YOU I ASK, HOW DO THE SIDE OPPOSITE THINK THEIR FORMER MAXIMUM LEADER WAS ABLE TO MAKE SUCH STATEMENTS? I CAN TELL YOU HOW, IT’S BECAUSE OF THE STELLAR FISCAL MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY ADMINISTRATION, THAT’S HOW. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THEY INHERITED A WELL OILED MACHINE IN 2007, WHICH ENABLED THEM TO ADVANCE THE PROGRAMMES CENTRAL GRAND BAHAMA SPOKE OF. BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REMIND THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE HOW THEY SQUANDERED THAT INHERITANCE IN FIVE SHORT YEARS. WE MUST REMIND THEM OF WHAT THE FNM LEFT US, WHEN WE TOOK OFFICE IN 2012. EVEN KILLARNEY ADMITTED THEY LEFT THE ECONOMY IN A WHEELCHAIR. GOLDEN GATES ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT THE COOKIE JAR. I SAY THE COOKIE JAR WAS NOT ONLY LICKED CLEAN, THEY ATE THE JAR TOO! WE HAD TO BORROW, $600 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF OUR ADMINISTRATION JUST TO PAY THE BILLS THEY RACKED UP AND PLACED ON THE BACKS OF THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE. SHAME ON THEM MR. SPEAKER, SHAME ON THEM.
WHILE I AM ASKING QUESTIONS OF THE SIDE OPPOSITE THROUGH YOU MR. SPEAKER, HOW IS IT THAT THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, WHICH THEY LEAD, HAS NOT CALLED FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND BEGGED LEAVE TO CALL FOR ‘PEOPLE AND PAPERS’ FOR THE 52 WEEKS PROGRAMME WITH THE SAME ZEAL THEY DID FOR THE URBAN RENEWAL PROGRAMME. I BELIEVE THE WORDS USED IN THE REPORT WERE, “SEVERLY DEFICIENT” AND “VULNERABLE TO FRAUD”. IS NOT THE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY JUST AS GREAT WHEN IT IS AN FNM INITIATED PROGRAMME IN QUESTION? THEY WERE SO WILLING TO INVESTIGATE AN UNTABLED DOCUMENT WHEN THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A STRIKE AGAINST THE PLP, YET MUMS THE WORD ON A TABLED DOCUMENT FROM THE AUDITOR GENERAL……INTERESTING TO SAY THE LEAST.
MR SPEAKER
IN THREE SHORT YEARS MR. SPEAKER, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS ADVANCED NEW EVENTS AND TOURISM PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THE BAHAMAS JUNKANOO CARNIVAL. WHILE SOME REFERRED TO THIS EVENT AS “JUST ONE BIG PARTY”, I SEE IT FOR WHAT IT REALLY WAS. IT WAS AN INVESTMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY OF THE COUNTRY IN HOPES THAT A FESTIVAL OF THIS MAGNITUDE WOULD CREATE JOBS AND CAREERS FOR BAHAMIANS IN THE ARTS. IT WAS ALSO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY, AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE A SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENT WHICH WILL ATTRACT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO OUR SHORES FOR A GOOD TIME EVERY YEAR. THIS HAS BEEN DONE SUCCESSFULLY BY MANY COUNTRIES THE WORLD OVER, SO MUCH SO THAT OUR OWN PEOPLE TRAVEL FROM PLACE TO PLACE IN THE REGION AND ELSEWHERE TO ATTEND CARNIVALS AND OTHER MUSIC FESTIVALS. IT ONLY MAKES SENSE THAT THE BAHAMAS SHOULD CAPITALIZE ON THE CARNIVAL BRAND TO SHOWCASE OUR CULTURE, OUR MUSIC AND THE CREATIVE TALENT OF OUR PEOPLE. WE HAVE ALSO JUST RECENTLY SUCCESSFULLY HOSTED THE IAAF RELAYS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. THIS COUNTRY, OUR LITTLE BAHAMAS, PLAYED HOST TO THE WORLDS BEST ATHLETES INCLUDING THE MAN KNOWN AS THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE, USAIN BOLT. WHILE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF STADIUMS AROUND THE WORLD THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE MORE PEOPLE OR HAVE MORE AMENITIES, EVERY ONE WANTS TO EXPERIENCE #BAHAMAZING.
MR SPEAKER
IN THREE SHORT YEARS, WE HAVE MADE MAJOR STRIDES AS REGARD CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY DEPLOYMENT. CLIMATE CHANGE IS A MAJOR ISSUE FACING OUR VERY EXISTENCE. I AM SO PROUD AND PLEASED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE IS A STRONG VOICE AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE BAHAMAS AND THE REGION IN THE GLOBAL FIGHT AGAINST THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WITH SO MUCH TO LOSE MR. SPEAKER, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES LIKE THE BAHAMAS TO BE GLOBAL ADVOCATES ON THIS ISSUE. ENSURING THAT THE DEVELOPED WORLD RAMP UP THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ASSIST NEGLIBIBLE POLLUTING VULNERABLE ISLAND NATIONS LIKE US IN OUR MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION EFFORTS. THIS IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, IT IS ABOUT SAVING BAHAMIAN LIVES, AS A RISE IN SEA LEVELS OF ONE METRE WILL DESTROY 80% OF THE BAHAMAS.
WITH RESPECT TO OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE, WE HAVE MOVED FAR BEYOND THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIGHT BULBS, BY DEFENCE FORCE OFFICERS. WE HAVE AMENDED EXISTING LAWS TO CREATE THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SELF GENERATION PROGRAMME AND GRID TIE IN FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY USERS TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THEIR ENERGY THEY FEED INTO BEC’S GRID. WE HAVE ELIMINATED TARIFFS ON MANY RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVICES TO PROVIDE GREATER ACCESSIBILITY TO OUR PEOPLE AND WE HAVE CONSTRUCTED THE FIRST GREEN BUILDING TO HOUSE A GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OR CORPORATION, THE NEW HEAD OFFICES OF THE BAHAMAS AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION.
MR SPEAKER
THE INNOVATION DOES NOT STOP THERE. THE BAHAMAS AGRICULTURAL AND MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE (BAMSI), EVEN THOUGH IT HAS EXPERIENCED SOME ISSUES, IS WELL ON ITS WAY, ALREADY PRODUCING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR SALE IN THE LOCAL BAHAMIAN MARKET. JUST RECENTLY, BAMSI SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH A LEADING LOCAL SUPERMARKET TO SUPPLY IT WITH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. MR. SPEAKER, ANY ATTEMPT TO REDUCE OUR ANNUAL $1 BILLION DOLLAR FOOD IMPORT BILL IS AN EFFORT WORTH PURSUING. OUR FOOD SECURITY IS FUNDAMENTAL AND I FULLY SUPPORT THAT PROGRAMME.
MR. SPEAKER, I MUST ALSO MENTION THE HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE ATTENDED THIS INSTITUTION FREE OF CHARGE LEAVE THERE WITH MARKETABLE, INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED SKILLS WHICH CAN ASSIST THEM IN FINDING GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AND HOPEFULLY JUMP START THEIR INTEREST TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELD.
MR. SPEAKER
THESE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE PUZZLE PIECES THAT ARE COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE THE BIG PICTURE WHICH DEPICTS THE BAHAMAS OF THE FUTURE, A STRONGER BAHAMAS. A BAHAMAS FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WHO WILL SEIZE THEM. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF VISION, THOSE ON THE SIDE OPPOSITE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO READILY RECOGNIZE VISION SO I THOUGHT IT HELPFUL TO DO AS THE GOOD BOOK SAYS AND “WRITE THE VISION AND MAKE IT PLAIN.”
MR. SPEAKER
Stronger Bahamas looks to the future, where we can have a safer, more prosperous, and more modern Bahamas. The government launched Stronger Bahamas to open the lines of communication between the government and the people. How can a program designed to solicit feedback from the Bahamian people be propaganda? This characterization is insulting to the Bahamian people. Our government is asking the people what they want and need for a Stronger Bahamas. How can anyone argue with that? We did our research. We found that Bahamians only felt engaged in nation building and only heard from government during The election campaigns. Well we have changed that now. The government is communicating directly with Bahamians no matter their political stripe and we are listening to the Bahamian people. I ask again, how can anyone argue with this?
MR. SPEAKER,
I NOW TURN TO THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (DEHS)
MR. SPEAKER
SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS IN THE DEHS FOR THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW ARE LINKED TO THE FUNDING PROVIDED IN THE 2014/15 BUDGET. THE BULK WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAMME BEGAN IN JANUARY 2015 AND COVERED ALL CONSTITUENCIES IN NEW PROVIDENCE. PRIVATE CONTRACTORS WERE ENGAGED IN THE PROGRAMME. THE PROGRAMME HAS SUCCESSFULLY REMOVED THOUSANDS OF TONS OF WASTE. THIS EFFORT NOT ONLY CREATES A MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING ENVIRONMENT BUT REMOVES RODENT HARBORAGES AND POTENTIAL MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES. THE DEHS HAS BEEN ALLOCATED THE SAME $140,000.00 THIS YEAR. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROGRAMME CAN CONTINUE AND LESSONS OF EFFICIENCY APPLIED SO THAT THE DEHS CAN ACCOMPLISH EVEN MORE THIS YEAR.
THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA AND I PUBLICLY INVITE CIVIC GROUPS AND CORPORATE BAHAMAS WHO MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN HELPING TO KEEP THE BAHAMAS CLEAN TO CONTACT ME AT MY MINISTRY OR ON FACEBOOK TO DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED. THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF STRONGER BAHAMAS. IT IS ABOUT BUILDING A PARTICPATORY DEMOCRACY. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. WHILE THE GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR KEEPING THE COUNTRY CLEAN, WE ALL HAVE A DUTY AS CITIZENS TO KEEP OUR ENVIRONS CLEAN, THEREFORE CONTRIBUTING TO A SAFER AND STRONGER BAHAMAS.
AS WOULD BE RECALLED THE DERELICT VEHICLE (DISPOSAL) AMENDMENT BILL WAS DEBATED AND PASSED IN THIS PLACE AND AS A RESULT OF THE NEW PROVISIONS OF THIS LEGISLATION, THE DERELICT VEHICLE REMOVAL PROGRAMME HAS REMOVED IN EXCESS OF TWO THOUSAND (2,000) VEHICLES. THESE ARE VEHICLES THAT WOULD HARBOUR RODENTS AND OTHER PEST NOT TO MENTION CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THIS PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE THIS YEAR AND HOPEFULLY MORE VEHICLES WILL BE REMOVED FROM OUR STREETS. WE HAVE PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THE TASK OF IDENTIFYING DERELICT VEHICLES ON OUR STREET. HOWEVER, MR. SPEAKER, THROUGH YOU, I CALL ON ALL CITIZENS TO CALL THE DEHS IF YOU SEE A DERELICT VEHICLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED. POST A PICTURE OF IT ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE SO WE KNOW WHERE IT IS AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. I AM INVITING ALL OF YOU TO SHOW THE POWER OF THE CITIZEN BY GETTING INVOLVED AND HELPING US TO CARRYOUT OUR MANDATE.
THE NEW DERELICT VEHICLE SITE WILL BE OPENED ON LAND NEXT TO THE NEW PROVIDENCE LANDFILL IN THIS BUDGET YEAR AND THE SITE AT MARSHALL ROAD WILL BE CLOSED. THIS WILL BE WELCOMED NEWS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF MARSHALL ROAD, MISTY GARDENS AND THE STUDENTS OF ANATOL RODGERS. IN ADDITION, THE NEW SITE WILL GIVE US THE ADDITIONAL SPALCE TO ENABLE THE DEHS TO REMOVE AND STORE MORE DERELICT VEHICLES.
MR. SPEAKER
WHILE TALKING ABOUT DERELICT VEHICLES, I WANT TO THANK THIS GOVERNMENT FOR BANNING THE IMPORTATION OF WRECKED VEHICLES. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE SAME CARS END UP IN THE BUSHES A ND IN OUR LANDFILLS AND DUMPSITES WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MR. SPEAKER, FOR THOSE WHO MAYBE MISLEADING THE AUTO INDUSTRY, THIS IS NOT TO PREVENT YOU FROM IMPORTING CARS WITH SOME DAMAGE TO BE FIXED. BUT WHERE THE TITLE OF THE CAR IS CERTIFIED TO BE A WRECK YOU CAN’T BRING IT HERE. WE WILL NO LONGER ENDANGER THE LIVES OF OUR CITIZENS BY ALLOWING THEM TO PURCHASE SUCH CARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A GOOD POLICY AND IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE GREATER PUBLIC GOOD AND WILL HELP TO BUILD A SAFER BAHAMAS ON OUR STREETS.
MR. SPEAKER
WITH REGARD TO SHANTY TOWNS, THE DEHS HAS REMOVED AND DEMOLISHED STRUCTURES IN FAITH AVENUE. OUR SHANTY TOWN REMOVAL PROJECT BEGAN IN 2013, WITH THE RELEASE OF THE SHANTY TOWN REPORT, WHICH HIGHLIGHTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGREDATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS OBSERVED BY INSPECTORS OF THE DEHS, WITHIN SHANTY TOWNS AROUND THE COUNTRY. AS I MENTIONED, THE LATEST SHANTY TOWN TO BE CLEARED WAS LOCATED ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF FAITH AVENUE NORTH. THIS TRACT OF LAND IS FIVE ACRES IN SIZE AND HOUSED HUNDREDS OF UNAUTHORIZED STRUCTURES. THIS LAND IS NOW INTENDED TO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING UNITS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING FOR BAHAMIAN CITIZENS AND THE RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING TITLE TO THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING IS ON THIS CHAMBER’S AGENDA.
MR. SPEAKER,
THE MEMBER FOR NORTH ELEUTHERA RAISED THE ISSUE OF THE NORTH ELEUTHERA LANDFILL MANAGEMENT CONTRACT YESTERDAY IN HIS PRESENTATION. I ASSURE THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE OF NORTH ELEUTHERA THAT NO CONTRACT WAS TAKEN. THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT THAT THE FNM EXECUTED CAME TO AN END. IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD PROCESSES FOR SUCH CONTRACTS A PUBLICLY TENDERED PROCESS WAS ADVANCED. THE DEHS RECEIVED SEVERAL BIDS FROM BAHAMIAN COMPANIES, THE MATTER WAS REFERRED TO THE TENDERS BOARD AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TENDERS BOARD WAS SUBMITTED TO CABINET. THE LOWEST BIDDER WAS GIVEN THE CONTRACT. IT WAS A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS. UNLIKE, WHAT THE FNM DID WHEN THEY CAME TO OFFICE IN 2007. THE CONTRACT THE PLP ISSUED EXPIRED, THE FNM PUT THE MATTER TO TENDER. HOWEVER, I AM TOLD, THE FRIENDS, FAMILY OR LOVERS OF THE FNM DID NOT SUBMIT A BID, SO THEY RE-TENDERED THE WHOLE PROCESS. EVEN WHEN THEY DID THAT, THEIR FRIENDS, FAMILY OR LOVERS SUBMITTED A BID, BUT IT WAS NOT THE LOWEST BID. THE LOWEST BIDDER WAS THE COMPANY THAT WAS AWARDED THE CONTRACT IN A FAIR BID PROCESS UNDER THE PLP. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT MATTER. THEY DISQUALIFIED THE LOWEST BIDDER ON THE BASIS THAT THE CONTRACTOR DID NOT HAVE THE REQUISITE EQUIPMENT, WHEN IT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENCED THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAD THE EQUIPMENT AND INDEED HAD ALL THE REQUISITE EQUIPMENT WHEN IT MANAGED THE SITE FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THE BID. THEN THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO COME IN HERE AND TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.
MR. SPEAKER, THE MEMBER FOR MONTAGU RAISED THE ISSUE OF GARBAGE COLLECTION IN NEW PROVIDENCE. CLEARLY THE MEMBER IS SATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT PERFORMANCE OF GARBAGE COLLECTORS YET HE CHOSE TO TRY TO MUDDY THE WATERS AND GIVE THE PERCEPTION THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE. MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE ISSUED COUNTLESS STATEMENTS ADVISING THE PUBLIC THAT WHEN WE CAME TO OFFICE, THE FNM WERE PAYING PRIVATE CONTRACTORS $5.00 PER HOUSEHOLD TO COLLECT RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE ONCE PER WEEK. WE EXAMINED OUR OWN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GARBAGE COLLECTION AND OUR COSTS WERE LESS THAN $5.00 PER HOUSEHOLD. THEREFORE, BELIEVING THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, MY TEAM NEGOTIATED A NEW RATE OF $2.50 PER HOUSEHOLD. THAT IS WHAT ALL PRIVATE CONTRACTORS ARE BEING PAID AND THE NUMBER OF HOUSES DIFFER FROM CONSTITUENCY TO CONSTITUENCY.
AS FOR THE CONTRACTORS MR. SPEAKER, IN DECEMBER OF 2013 I ISSUED ANOTHER STATEMENT, IDENTIFYING ALL OF THE GARBAGE COLLECTION CONTRACTORS AND DESCRIBING THE COLLECTION ROUTES. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON MY MINISTRY’S FACEBOOK PAGE. SO I REJECT ANY ASSERTION BEING MADE BY THE SIDE OPPOSITE THAT WE ARE HIDING ANYTHING. GO ONLINE AND READ IT FOR YOURSELF. BUT I AM HAPPY THAT YOU ARE PLEASED WITH THE CURRENT SERVICE BEING PROVIDED. FOR THE CONSITUENCIES OF PINEWOOD, NASSAU VILLAGE, ENGLERSTON, BAIN & GRANTS TOWN AND CERTAIN PARTS OF CENTREVILLE, OUR EXAMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF WASTE RETRIEVED WEEKLY HAS LED US TO CONCLUDE THAT YOUR WASTE NEEDS TO BE COLLECTED TWICE PER WEEK. WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS IN THE 2015/2016 BUDGET TO DO THIS, HOWEVER, I AM HOPING THAT WE CAN FIND THE FISCAL HEADROOM BY THE MID-TERM BUDGET TO INTRODUCE A REVISED PROGRAMME.
MR. SPEAKER,
I BELIEVE THAT A CLEANER BAHAMAS WILL BE A SAFER BAHAMAS AND THUS INEVITABLY LEAD TO A STRONGER BAHAMAS. FOR THOSE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT STRONGER BAHAMAS IS, TAKE NOTE. WE ARE ENSURING THAT EVERY POLICY, EVERY INITIATIVE IS PART OF THE OVERALL PLAN AND VISION OF A SAFER BAHAMAS; A MODERN BAHAMAS AND A PROSPEROUS BAHAMAS. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING FOR. THAT IS OUR COMMITMENT.
MR. SPEAKER,
THE DEHS WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE SURVEILLANCE UNIT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF COMMUNICABLE VECTOR BORNE DISEASES AND TO CONTAIN THEIR SPREAD WHEN DISEASES BREAK OUT. THIS INTEGRATED APPROACH WAS EVIDENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DENGUE AND CHIKUNGUNYA. THE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO THE CONTROL OF MOSQUITOES WHICH INCLUDE THE LARVICIDE AND ADULTICIDE REGIME, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT SUCCESSFULLY LIMITED THE NUMBER OF CASES OF CHIKUNGUNYA AND DENGUE IN THE BAHAMAS, IN SPITE OF THE WIDESPREAD EPIDEMICS IN THE WIDER CARIBBEAN REGION.
MR. SPEAKER
THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAMME IS CHALLENGED BY RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS WHICH ARISE FROM THE LACK OF ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION IN BOTH NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE FAMILY ISLANDS. DURING THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE, SOME RELIEF WAS RECEIVED IN THE FAMILY ISLANDS WITH THE ACQUISITION OF A FEW VEHICLES. GREATER IN ROADS MUST BE MADE IN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION FOR FOGGING AND FOR MONITORING OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM SITES DURING THE UPCOMING BUDGET PERIOD. WITH RESPECT TO TRANSPORTATION, PRIVATE TRUCKS WERE RENTED TO FACILITATE FOGGING IN NEW PROVIDENCE, WHICH WAS HELPFUL CONSIDERING THE DEPLETED FLEET OF VECTOR TRUCKS. UNTIL WE GET NEW VEHICLES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO OUTSOURCE CERTAIN ACTIVITIES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENSURE SUSTAINED FOGGING, TREATMENT OF BREEDING SITES AND CONTROL OF ADULT MOSQUITOES THROUGHOUT NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE FAMILY ISLANDS. IT IS NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION FOR MY DEPARTMENT, BUT IS A MORE COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION.
MR. SPEAKER,
THE DEHS HAS SERVED NOTIFICATION OF AN EMERGING MOSQUITO–BORNE DISEASE, (ZIKA VIRUS) WITHIN THE CARIBBEAN, SO OUR MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAMME MUST BE INTENSIFIED AND THE NECESSARY RESOURCES PROVIDED TO AFFECT THIS.
OTHER VECTOR CONTROL PROGRAMMES ARE PROCEEDING AT NORMAL PACE IN THE DOWNTOWN, CABLE BEACH AND MONTAGUE BEACH AREAS. TO ENHANCE EFFORTS IN THE CONTROL OF RODENTS IN THE DOWNTOWN ENVIRONS, A WORK TASK FORCE WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY AND SOLELY TO ADDRESS COMPLAINTS AND CONDUCT TREATMENT. I AM ADVISED, THESE FOCUSED ACTIVITIES HAVE RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE RODENT POPULATION IN THE SPECIFIED AREAS. I ALSO WISH TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC THAT ON THE 15TH JUNE, 2015 THE DEHS WILL RESUME DISTRIBUTION OF RAT POISON TO RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS. DISTRIBUTION WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9:30 AM TO 1:00 PM; MONDAY – FRIDAY AT OUR FARRINGTON ROAD COMPLEX.
MR. SPEAKER,
THE DEHS WILL FOCUS ON ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN THE 2015/16 PERIOD. THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROGRAMME WILL BE EXPANDED IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASED REQUESTS FOR EVALUATION AND COMPLAINTS BEING RECEIVED BY MY MINISTRY.
LAST YEAR, THE DEHS ACQUIRED RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAMILY ISLAND MINI- TRANSFER STATIONS AND DUMPSITES. THIS YEAR, THE DEHS WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DUMPSITES IN VARIOUS FAMILY ISLANDS BY IMPLEMENTING A TRANSFER STATION TO EFFECTIVELY REMOVE WASTE FROM COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY TO THE DESIGNATED SITES. THOSE COMMUNITY DUMPSITES NO LONGER IN USE WILL BE CLOSED. AS FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROJECT ARE LIMITED IN THE 2015/2016 BUDGET THERE WILL BE A PHASED APPROACH.
MR. SPEAKER,
THERE IS ONGOING NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. THE ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM WILL BE EXPANDED TO THE FAMILY ISLANDS SO ALL COMMUNITIES RECEIVE RELEVANT INFORMATION REGARDING WASTE MANAGEMENT, PEST MANAGEMENT, WATER SAFETY, CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THE FUNDS ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET WILL FACILITATE THE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM TO ALL MAJOR ISLANDS.
MR. SPEAKER,
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE VEHICLES EMISSIONS REGULATIONS IS ONGOING. MARCH 2014. THIS DRAFT BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE EMISSIONS OR SMOKE THAT EMANATES FROM THE VEHICLES THAT WE DRIVE. I AM SURE THAT WE ALL HAVE DRIVEN EITHER NEXT TO OR BEHIND A CAR THAT HAD SO MUCH SMOKE COMING FROM ITS EXHAUST THAT WE DO OUR BEST TO EITHER PASS THE CAR OR LET IT PASS US SO THAT WE COULD BREATHE EASIER. THESE EMISSIONS ARE NOT ONLY HARMFUL TO HUMAN BEINGS BUT THEY ALSO ADD TO OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. THE DRAFT LEGISLATION SEEKS TO REGULATE THESE EMISSIONS. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO ADVANCE A PHASED IMPLEMENTED REGIME DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR.
MAINTAINING OUR EDGE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE & CAPACITY BUILDING
MR. SPEAKER,
A RECENT RELEASE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNS OF RECOVERY OF THE OZONE LAYER ESSENTIALLY AS A RESULT OF THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY MEMBER PARTIES. THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IS PROUD TO NOTE THAT THE ACTIVE WORK OF THE NATIONAL OZONE UNIT STATIONED WITHIN THE DEHS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH THE PHASE OUT OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS) AND PHASE DOWN OF HYDRO-CHLOROFLUOROCARBON (HCFC) IN THE BAHAMAS.
IN MARCH OF 2015, THE DEHS HOSTED THE 2015 REGIONAL MEETING OF THE CARIBBEAN OZONE OFFICERS NETWORK MEETING. THE REGIONAL MEETINGS OF THE CARIBBEAN OZONE OFFICERS NETWORK SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF NATIONAL OZONE OFFICERS BY IMPROVING THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL AND THE PHASE OUT OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES. AS A FOLLOW UP TO THE REGIONAL MEETING, IN APRIL, THE DEHS ATTENDED THE THIRTY-FIFTH MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER. AND IN JULY, THE DEHS WILL ATTEND THE THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER IN PARIS, FRANCE
MR. SPEAKER,
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, THE DEHS COMPLETED THE SAICM PROJECT UNDER THE UNEP QUICK START PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH PAN AMERICAN WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. UNDER THIS PROGRAMME DEHS CREATED A NATIONAL INVENTORY OF CHEMICALS (TYPE, LOCATION AND STORAGE), PRODUCED SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS TO ALLOW FOR ADVANCING PROPER MONITORING AND REGULATION, AND ESTABLISHED A TECHNICAL COLLABORATION MECHANISM. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS, DEHS HELD A NATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ON CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS HELD IN HELD IN NEW PROVIDENCE, GRAND BAHAMA AND MARSH HARBOUR, ABACO, THE BAHAMAS
RENEW BAHAMAS LIMITED
MR. SPEAKER
SINCE THE LAST TIME WE ENGAGED IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, RENEW BAHAMAS HAS TAKEN OVER MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW PROVIDENCE LANDFILL. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THE CHALLENGES FACED BY SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS IN THE TIMELY COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND THE FIRE FIGHTING AND OTHER ISSUES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS AT THE NEW PROVIDENCE LANDFILL. IN ORDER TO BRING RESOLUTION TO THE MANY ISSUES NEEDING ATTENTION AT THE LANDFILL THE GOVERNMENT MADE THE DECISION TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) AFTER MUCH DELIBERATIONS.
THE MOU BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS AND RENEW BAHAMAS, WHICH HAS A TERM OF FIVE YEARS, CALLED FOR RENEW BAHAMAS TO ASSUME ALL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAY TO DAY RUNNING OF THE LANDFILL. I AM ADVISED, THIS PROVISION ALONE WILL SAVE THE PEOPLE OF THE BAHAMAS OVER $6 MILLION PER YEAR. THE MOU ALSO CALLED FOR THE REMEDIATION OF THE LANDFILL, THE ADVANCEMENT OF A RECYCLING REGIME AND REPLACEMENT OF THE WEIGH BRIDGES AT THE SITE.
I AM PROUD TO REPORT, MR. SPEAKER THAT RENEW BAHAMAS HAS LIVED UP TO THE AGREEMENT. ON MAY 28TH, 2015 THE PRIME MINISTER COMMISSIONED THE BRAND NEW $7 MILLION MATERIALS RECYCLING FACILITY (MRF) AT THE NEW PROVIDENCE LANDFILL. THIS FACILITY HAS USHERED THE BAHAMAS INTO A NEW DAY REGARDING WASTE MANAGEMENT, WE ARE NOW A RECYCLING NATION. WHILE THERE HAD BEEN SOME RECYCLING BEING DONE PRIOR TO THIS, THERE WAS NONE AT THIS SCALE AND NOT AT THE PUBLICLY OWNED LANDFILL. MR. SPEAKER THE MRF AT THE LANDFILL IS A 125,000 SQ. FT FACILITY THAT CAN SORT AND PROCESS UP TO 80 TONS OF MATERIAL PER HOUR. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE MRF BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE WAS INDEED A DAY TO BE MARKED IN THE HISTORY OF THE BAHAMAS. IT REPRESENTED ANOTHER SUCCESS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. I CAN ALSO REPORT THAT THE PORTION OF THE SITE WHICH HOUSES THE MRF IS PART OF THE 8 EIGHT ACRES OF LANDFILL THAT HAS BEEN REMEDIATED BY RENEW THUS FAR. THIS MARKS ANOTHER MEASURE TO ADVANCE A MODERN BAHAMAS, THEREFORE BUILDING A STRONGER BAHAMAS.
MR. SPEAKER
THE CONDITION OF DISREPAIR OF THE WEIGH BRIDGES AT THE LANDFILL AND THE PROPER COLLECTION OF TIPPING FEES WAS ALSO AN ISSUE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE MOU WITH RENEW BAHAMAS HAS TACKLED. SINCE THEY HAVE TAKEN OVER THE SITE, THEY HAVE ACQUIRED AND INSTALLED TWO NEW WEIGH BRIDGES WHICH ARE OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WE CAN NOW OBTAIN ACCURATE WEIGHT READING OF VEHICLES OFFLOADING WASTE AT THE LANDFILL. ALL VEHICLES ARE WEIGHED BEFORE AND AFTER OFFLOADING. TO MANAGE THE BILLING AND COLLECTION OF TIPPING FEES, AFTER A FORMAL BID PROCESS, THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTED A LEADING LOCAL ACCOUNTING FIRM, BAKER TILLY GOMEZ. THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS NOT JUST BROUGHT EFFICIENCY TO THE PROCESS OF BILLING AND COLLECTION OF TIPPING FEES BUT HAS INCREASED TIPPING FEE REVENUES BY 60 TO 70 PERCENT THUS FAR. THIS IS MONEY GOING INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S COFFERS, HELPING US TO BUILD A MODERN BAHAMAS IN RELATION TO WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NEW PROVIDENCE.
MR. SPEAKER
WHILE THE PRIVATE MANAGEMENT TAKE OVER OF THE LANDFILL WAS NOT WITHOUT PUBLIC COMMENTARY, IT HAS PROVEN TO BE A SOUND DECISION WHICH HAS NOT ONLY SAVED MONEY FOR THE PUBLIC PURSE, IT HAS FACILITATED THE INCREASE IN REVENUE. TIPPING FEE REVENUE HAS INCREASED AND THE GOVERNMENT SHARES IN THE RECYCLATE REVENUE. SO WE SAVED OVER $6 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, INCREASED TIPPING FEE REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND ESTABLISHED A NEW RECYCLATE REVENUE STREAM FOR THE PUBILC PURSE. THAT IS DEVELOPING A STRONGER BAHAMAS, MR. SPEAKER.
RENEW ANTICIPATES THAT 6-8 CONTAINERS PER DAY, FILLED WITH RECYCLATES WILL BE EXPORTED FROM THE NEW PROVIDENCE MRF. WE HOPE THEY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND INCREASE THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE. THIS AGREEMENT HAS ALSO BENEFITED BAHAMIANS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT OF MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND MORE JOBS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SHORT ORDER. THESE ARE GREEN JOBS, MR. SPEAKER, JOBS WHICH HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. APPROXIMATELY 80 JOBS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CREATED AND RENEW WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER TO 130 IN A PHASED APPROACH.
MR. SPEAKER
NOTING THE SUCCESS OF RENEW BAHAMAS WE ARE NOW EXAMINING THE PROSPECT OF IMPLEMENTING SIMILAR AGREEMENTS FOR LANDFILLS IN OUR FAMILY ISLANDS.
MR. SPEAKER, THIS BUDGET YEAR WE WILL SEEK TO CREATE A PROPER SYSTEM FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF GREEN WASTE AND WE ALSO WILL PROMOTE THE USE OF BAHAMAS WASTE’S MEDICAL WASTE FACILITY BY THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY TO AVOID MEDICAL WASTE GOING INTO LANDFILLS AND OUR DUMPSITES.
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING
THE ENVIRONMENT
MR. SPEAKER, THE EARTH IS OUR HOME. AS MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, I HAVE TO BE SURE THAT OUR ACTIVITIES DO NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. OUR LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM, THE WELL-BEING OF HUMANITY AND THE FUNCTIONING OF THE ECONOMY, ULTIMATELY DEPEND UPON THE RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF THE NATION’S NATURAL RESOURCES. LIVING SUSTAINABLY IS ABOUT DOING MORE AND BETTER WITH LESS. THE MOST PROMISING STRATEGY FOR ENSURING A HEALTHY FUTURE, MR. SPEAKER, IS THAT WE LIVE WITHIN PLANETARY BOUNDARIES; TAKING A BALANCED AND SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF A STRONGER BAHAMAS.
NATURAL RESOURCES
MR. SPEAKER
I HAVE SPOKEN PUBLICLY IN THIS PLACE AND IN OTHER VENUES ABOUT MY BELIEF THAT THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE SHOULD RECEIVE FAIR COMPENSATION FOR THE HARVESTING OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. THIS PAST YEAR I HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO CREATE A NATURAL RESOURCES UNIT WITHIN MY MINISTRY. MY PHILOSOPHY IS THAT WE MUST KNOW WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO DEVELOP IT IN A SUSTAINABLE FASHION. THIS IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE. THE BAHAMAS IS NOT JUST A COUNTRY OF SUN, SAND AND SEA, THOSE ARE BUT A FEW OF THE NATURAL COMMODITIES WHICH WE CAN TRADE AND BUILD UPON. PRESENTLY THE EFFORTS OF THIS UNIT IS HEADED BY DR. RHIANNA NEELY, A YOUNG , DYNAMIC AND STRONG BAHAMIAN WOMAN WHO HOLDS A PH.D IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. SHE IS BEING ASSISTED BY MS. LARRISSA FERGUSON WHO HOLDS A MASTER’S DEGREE IN NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. THESE ARE YOUNG, BRILLIANT BAHAMIANS, MR. SPEAKER. SOON THAT TEAM WILL BE JOINED BY MR. ARTHUR ROLLE, THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF METEROLOGY AND AN EXPERT IN CLIMATE CHANGE, WHO IS HIGHLY RESPECTED IN THE REGION AND THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK. HE WILL BE ENGAGED AS A CONSULTANT AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TEAM AND PASS ON INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO THEM.
MR. SPEAKER
MY AIM FOR THIS UNIT IS THAT IT WILL BECOME THE HUB FOR ALL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH DONE WITHIN MY MINISTRY TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN ALL RESEARCH INFORMATION ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BORDERS OF THIS COUNTRY AND HOW THEY CAN BE DEVELOPED AND OR TRADED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE. I ALSO EXPECT THAT THIS UNIT WILL BE ABLE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE GRANTING OF LICENSES FOR THE HARVESTING OF MINERALS, PLANTS, MARINE LIFE AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN OUR COUNTRY. MANY RESEARCHERS COME TO OUR SHORES AND ARE GRANTED PERMISSION TO CARRY OUT RESEARCH WHETHER IT BE IN OUR WATERS OR IN RELATION TO THE PLANT LIFE IN THE BAHAMAS. WE MUST BE ABLE TO USE THIS RESEARCH FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY, WE MUST KNOW WHAT WE HAVE AND PROTECT OUR INTERESTS IN OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. MODERNISING OUR LAWS AND BUILDING A STRONGER BAHAMAS.
MR. SPEAKER
THUS FAR THE LIMITED PERSONNEL WITHIN THIS UNIT HAS ALSO BEEN ABLE TO COORDINATE OUR RELATIONS WITH THE CARBON WAR ROOM AND INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY IN REGARD TO THEIR PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE IN OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY DEPLOYMENT EFFORTS. THEY ALSO PROVIDED ASSISTANCE WITH MY MINISTRY’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SELF GENERATION PROGRAMME AND THE RECENT AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE ELECTRICITY ACT.
I AM HOPEFUL THAT IN SHORT ORDER WE CAN ADD MORE STAFF TO THIS UNIT AND FORMALIZE ITS ORGANIZATION WITHIN MY MINISTRY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE EXPERTISE THAT A UNIT OF THIS NATURE CAN PROVIDE OUR COUNTRY IS GREATLY NEEDED.
THE BEST COMMISSION
MR. SPEAKER,
THE BEST COMMISSION MANAGES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND REVIEWS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (EIAS) AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS (EMPS) FOR INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE BAHAMAS.
AT THE END OF MAY , THE BEST COMMISSION RELOCATED TO THE FIRST FLOOR OF CHARLOTTE HOUSE SO THERE IS GREATER ACCESSIBILITY FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH MY MINISTRY ON THE MATTERS UNDER ITS PURVIEW.
PROJECTS FOR THE BEST COMMISSION: -
DURING THE 2014-15 FISCAL PERIOD, BEST WORKED ON PROJECTS UNDER MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS, WHICH ARE PROJECTS SPONSORED AND/OR CO-FINANCED BY UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MEA SUCH AS UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES (GEF).
MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (MEAS)
MR. SPEAKER,
IN JANUARY 2014, A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A CLIMATE RISK RESILIENT COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED. THIS PROJECT AIMS TO STRENGTHEN CAPACITY FOR THE PHASED ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLIMATE RISK-RESILIENT INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (ICZM) PROGRAM IN THE BAHAMAS. THE PROJECT AIMS AT OPTIMIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE COASTAL ZONE TO NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING RESILIENCE TO COASTAL HAZARDS INCLUDING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH ICZM. AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE AREAS WHERE EXISTING OR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IS AT HIGH RISK TO NATURAL DISASTERS, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND/OR SEA LEVEL RISE; THOSE REQUIRING COASTAL STABILIZATION TO REDUCE BEACH EROSION, WORKS TO REDUCE COASTAL FLOODING; AREAS IDENTIFIED AS A PRIORITY FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC INVESTMENT THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK; THOSE WITH HIGH ECOSYSTEM SERVICES VALUE (EG. MANGROVES, WETLANDS, CORAL REEFS).
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A RISK-BASED ICZM APPROACH WILL ALSO ASSIST THE COUNTRY IN MEETING THE DEVELOPMENT TARGET OF 20% CONSERVATION OF THE NEAR SHORE ENVIRONMENT BY 2020.
GEF FULL SIZE PROJECT ON MARINE PROTECTED AREAS 4 YEAR PROJECT (2009-2013)
MR. SPEAKER,
MY MINISTRY IS ALSO WORKING TO COMPLETE THE CARIBBEAN CHALLENGE, A REGIONAL INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE ESTABLISHING 20% OF COASTAL AND MARINE HABITATS AS PROTECTED AREAS BY 2020. THIS WILL EXPAND THE PROTECTED AREA OF GLOBALLY SIGNIFICANT MARINE BIODIVERSITY AND INCREASE THE MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NATIONAL MARINE PROTECTED AREA NETWORK ACROSS THE BAHAMIAN ARCHIPELAGO. THE CHALLENGE AIMS TO RAISE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION. IN 2014, THE BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT PLEDGED $2 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS THIS PROJECT.
THE GEF FULL SIZE PROJECT WAS GRANTED AN EXTENSION UNTIL AUGUST 2015. IT ALSO AIMS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE FINANCING MECHANISM TO BE PUT IN PLACE AS A RESULT OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE BAHAMAS PROTECTED AREAS FUND (BPAF) TO SUPPORT OUR PROTECTED AREAS IN PERPETUITY.
MR. SPEAKER,
THE BAHAMAS PROTECTED AREA FUND (BPAF) ACT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED IN BOTH CHAMBERS. THE BPAF’S OBJECTIVE IS “TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE FINANCING INTO PERPETUITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE BAHAMAS.”
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE BPAF HAS BEEN APPOINTED AND A WORKSHOP FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WAS CONDUCTED BY BEST AND THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ON MARCH 18-19, 2015 AT THE MANGROVE CAY CONFERENCE ROOM BEACH TOWERS, ATLANTIS, PARADISE ISLAND. THE BPAF BOARD IS CHAIRED BY MS. LOUREY SMITH, A WELL RESPECTED ATTORNEY AND PARTNER AT THE FIRM OF MCKINNEY BANCROFT & HUGHES; WITH THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SITTING AS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
1. GEORGE MAILLIS
2. LISA BENJAMIN
3. ELEANOR PHILLIPS
4. KAREN PATON
5. CASUARINA LAMBERT-MCKINNEY
6. GAIL LOCKHART-CHARLES
7. MICHAEL ALBURY
8. KEOD SMITH
9. JASON PINDER; AND
10. CHANTEL BETHEL.
MR. SPEAKER, LAST YEAR I SPOKE AT THE OCEAN’S SUMMIT HOSTED BY SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY, IN WASHINGTON D.C.
MR. TED WAITT OF THE WAITT FOUNDATION, A WEALTHY PHILANTHROPIST WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING MARINE ENVIRONMENTS ALSO ATTENDED. AFTER I SPOKE, MR. WAITT CAME UP TO ME AND TOLD ME HOW INSPIRED HE WAS AFTER HEARING MY CONTRIBUTION. KNOWING ABOUT HIS WORK WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND HIS PREVIOUS WORK IN THE BAHAMAS, I ENCOURAGED MR. WAITT TO MATCH THE $2 MILLION DOLLARS THE BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT WAS INVESTING TO CAPITALISE BPAF. MR. SPEAKER, LAST MONTH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WAITT FOUNDATION APPROVED MY REQUEST AND ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE. THEY WILL PROVIDE A MATCHING CONTRIBUTION OF $ 2 MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH CAN BE USED FOR OPERATIONAL COSTS OF BPAF. WITH THE $5 MILLION ALREADY COMMITTED FROM THE CARIBBEAN BIO-DIVERSITY FUND, THIS BRINGS PLEGDED CONTRIBUTIONS UP TO $9 MILLION. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE BOARD OF BPAF TO RAISE MORE FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR MARINE PROTECTED AREA NETWORK.
MAINTAINING AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
MR. SPEAKER,
AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, ME AND OFFICERS WITHIN MY MINISTRY WILL TRAVEL TO PARIS, WITH THE PRIME MINISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 21ST CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES AND RELATED MEETINGS. SEVERAL OF MY TECHNICAL OFFICERS HOLD POSITIONS ON VARIOUS RECOGNIZED BODIES WITHIN THE UNFCCC AND WILL BE TRAVELLING TO PREPARATORY MEETINGS AND OTHER MEETINGS OF THE UNFCCC THROUGHOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BAHAMAS IS PRESENT DURING MEETINGS OF THE UNFCCC, PREPARATORY MEETINGS AND THE COP-21, AS CLIMATE CHANGE IS A GREAT THREAT TO THE BAHAMAS, BAHAMIANS AND OUR WAY OF LIFE.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION DRAFT BILL
MR. SPEAKER
THE RECENT GAS LEAK AT THE RUBIS ROBINSON ROAD STATION IS WIDELY KNOWN. ON SATURDAY, 19TH, JANUARY 2013, THE RETAILER AT RUBIS ROBINSON ROAD SERVICE STATION REPORTED TO AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SERVICES (DEHS) THAT THE STATION HAD FUEL OIL LOSSES AT DISPENSER 5 AND 6. OFFICIALS OF THE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING RISK ASSESSMENT DIVISION (EMRAD) OF THE DEHS WENT TO THE SITE FOR AN INSPECTION, ON 21ST JANUARY, 2013, THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE SPILL WAS MADE KNOWN TO EMRAD. DISPENSER 5 AND 6 WERE REPAIRED AND THE LINES PRESSURE TESTED BY QUICK WELDING, A LOCAL BAHAMIAN COMPANY, AND CERTIFIED BY THE VOLATILE SUBSTANCES UNIT OF THE MINISTRY OF WORKS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. ON 23RD, JANUARY, 2013, BAYCHEM SPILL TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, A LOCAL BAHAMIAN COMPANY AND ENGINEERS AND CONSULTANTS LIMITED (ECL), ANOTHER BAHAMIAN COMPANY WERE ALSO ENGAGED ON THIS MATTER. THEREFORE TWO (2) DAYS AFTER THE SPILL WAS KNOWN TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK WAS REPAIRED AND THE GOVERNMENT MOVED IMMEDIATELY TO ENSURE REMEDIATION EFFORTS BEGAN.
MR. SPEAKER, IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT ON THE 8TH MARCH, 2013 DEHS ISSUED LETTERS TO THE RESIDENTS OF MARATHON, ADVISING THEM OF THE INCIDENT AND INFORMING THEM THAT TESTING WOULD BE ADVANCED.
MR. SPEAKER
WHILE THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TOOK FOR THE BLACK AND VEATCH REPORT TO BE RELEASED IS REGRETABLE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ALREADY APOLOGISED TO THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE FOR THAT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MR. SPEAKER, IT IS WORTH STRESSING THE FACT THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELAY IN ISSUING THE REPORT TO THE PUBLIC, THE GOVERNMENT ENSURED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE REPORT WERE FOLLOWED AND IMPOSED THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS ON RUBIS AFTER CABINET APPROVED THEM. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ENGAGED THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHO) FOR ASSITANCE.
MR. SPEAKER, HOMES IN THE AFFECTED AREA WERE CONNECTED TO ‘CITY WATER’ OR WATER PROVIDED BY THE WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION ON THE 8TH FEBRUARY, 2013, THUS DISCONNECTING THOSE HOMES FROM WELLS. THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS AND THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IS THE ARRIVAL OF TOXICOLOGIST, DR. RIK VAN DE WEERDT TO CONSULT ON THE ISSUE.
MR. SPEAKER
I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND I SAY AGAIN, THE RESIDENTS OF MARATHON DESERVE OUR COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING. IT IS SAD, THAT THE SIDE OPPOSITE WOULD CHOOSE TO USE A SITUATION SUCH AS THIS FOR CHEAP POLITICAL POINTS.
YOU SEE MR. SPEAKER, WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE AFFECTED AREA, LIKE I HAVE, YOU UNDERSTAND THEIR ANGER AND ANXIETY. WHILE THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENT GAS LEAK, THE ROOT OF THEIR ANGER IS THE FACT THAT IN 1993 THERE WAS A MAJOR LEAK AT THE VERY SAME STATION AND THE THEN GOVERNMENT DID NOTHING. N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
SO WHEN NORTH ELEUTHERA STANDS IN HERE AND TALKS ABOUT A 14 MONTHS DELAY IN RELEASING THE REPORT YOU HAVE TO PUT INTO CONTEXT…. WHAT THE FNM DID IN CONTRAST TO THIS ADMINISTRATION, WHEN FACED WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
MR. SPEAKER, WHEN YOU READ THE B&V REPORT, YOU READ THE TESTIMONY OF RESIDENTS WHO SPEAK OF A MAJOR GAS LEAK AT THE STATION IN THE 1990S. THEREFORE, THE MEMBERS FOR NORTH ELEUTHERA AND MONTAGUE SHOULD AT LEAST BE RELIEVED TO NOTE THAT THEY CAN CRITICISE US ABOUT HOW WE ACTED AND WHEN WE ACTED, AS THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE ACTED….THEY DID NOT.
UNDER THEIR WATCH THEY DID NOTHING. SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FROM THE RESIDENTS’ HOMES. THEY FOUND GAS IN THEIR WELLS AND IN THE GROUND. DID THEY DECOMMISSION THE WELLS?…NO! DID THEY REMEDIATE THE PROPERTIES?… NO! DID THEY CONNECT THE RESIDENTS TO WATER AND SEWERAGE AND CAUSE TEXACO TO PAY FOR IT? NO! DID THEY COMMISSION AN INDEPENDENT REPORT? NO! DID THEY UNDERTAKE PUBLIC HEALTH SCREENINGS? NO!
SO MR. SPEAKER, TWO DAYS AFTER BEING INFORMED OF THE GAS LEAK, THIS GOVERNMENT ACTED. 20 YEARS AFTER A GAS LEAK WAS KNOWN TO THEM, IT IS THIS GOVERNMENT WHO IS ALSO ACTING FOR THOSE RESIDENTS IMPACTED THEN. WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE HISTORICAL SPILL UNTIL WE RECEIVED THE B&V REPORT. BUT THEY KNEW! THEY KNEW AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
MR. SPEAKER, THIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT AFRAID TO TAKE ON THE BIG ISSUES. WE WILL NOT SWEEP THEM UNDER THE CARPET. WE WILL FACE THEM HEAD ON AND IN THE PROCESS ADVANCE A SAFER, MODERN, PROSPEROUS AND STRONGER BAHAMAS.
MR. SPEAKER
ANOTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MISHAP HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 2014, THE BEC CLIFTON POWER PLANT ALSO EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST OCCURENCE OF A LEAK AT CLIFTON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FROM TIME TO TIME FOR WELL OVER FORTY YEARS.
MR. SPEAKER
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENGAGED THE SERVICES OF COASTAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL INC, TO ASSIST US WITH ADVANCING A CONTAINMENT AND REMEDIATION PLAN FOR THE CLIFTON PLANT. I AM ADVISED THAT BEC, AT NO COST TO IT OR THE GOVERNMENT, ENTERED INTO ARRANGEMENTS WITH CRADON ENERGY TO REMOVE WASTE OIL FROM THEIR TANKS AND HOLDING BASINS. THIS WAS A SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION IN THE GROUND AND IS BEING ADDRESSED. MORGAN OIL OF GRAND BAHAMA IS ALSO COMPLETING A COMPREHENSIVE BOOM CONTAINMENT PLAN, WHICH ONCE APPROVED BY THE MINISTRIES OF TRANSPORT, ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING, WORKS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND BEC WILL BE EXECUTED. THIS WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RELIEF TO CLIFTON HERITAGE PARK; THE BREEF SCULPTURE GARDEN; STUART COVE AND ALBANY. ON A PARALLEL COURSE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE BEST COMMISSION, COASTAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, MORGAN OIL AND BEC WILL DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE REMEDIATION PLAN FOR THE PLANT. A PART OF THAT REMEDIATION PLAN WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CONTAINMENT WALL TO PREVENT OIL SEEPING INTO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE FIVE YEARS BETWEEN 2007-2012 THE FORMER ADMINSTRATION DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. BUT THAT SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISING. IF A HELICOPTER RIDE IS NOT INVOLVED, THEY HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO ACT!
MR. SPEAKER
THE PROBLEMS AT BEC, STARTED BEFORE I WAS BORN, BUT THIS NEW GENERATION, SON OF A BEC METER READER, IS WORKING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE PRIME MINISTER, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR MARITIME AFFAIRS, ARE EQUALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT RESOLVING THIS MATTER AND WE WILL FIX IT!
MR SPEAKER
I DRAW REFERENCE TO THESE SITUATIONS TO UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR A CENTRALIZED DEPARTMENT TO ADVANCE OUR OWN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAWS AND PROTOCOLS. PRESENTLY WE LOOK TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS FOR GUIDANCE AS TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN CHEMICALS. WE HAVE THE TALENT RIGHT HERE AND WHERE WE ARE LACKING WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE PROCURE THE EXPERTISE THAT WE NEED TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS FOR THE PROTECTION OF OUR OWN ENVIRONMENT.
MR. SPEAKER
IN EARLY MAY 2015, I RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC A COPY OF THE DRAFT BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION FOR COMMENTARY. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THIS DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE SUPERVISION OVER A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES INCLUSIVE OF THE FOLLOWING:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STANDARDS
REGULATIONS FOR THE DISCHARGE OF WASTE AT SEA
ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY PROGRAMME
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION WILL ALSO CONSOLIDATE ALL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PLANNING MEASURES IN ONE PLACE TO ENSURE TIMELY RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE ISSUES AND EMERGENCIES.
MR. SPEAKER
PART OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION WILL BE TO FOSTER RELATIONS WITH THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY AS REGARD THE VARIOUS FREEPORT BYE-LAWS. THE REVISED FREEPORT BYE-LAWS WILL BE ADVANCED TOGETHER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION BILL.
MR. SPEAKER
WE ALSO INTEND FOR THE DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, I.E. OUR GAS STATIONS, TO BE REGULATED UNDER THIS DEPARTMENT. THIS MEANS THAT ALL GAS STATIONS WILL HAVE STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS WHICH MUST BE ADHERED TO IN THE INTEREST OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. HOPEFULLY, INCIDENTS LIKE THE ONE AT RUBIS ROBINSON ROAD AND OTHER STATIONS WILL NOT OCCUR IN THE FUTURE. THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT MET WITH MY PERMANENT SECRETARY THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS THE PREPARATION OF SUCH REGULATIONS.
MR. SPEAKER
I FULLY INTEND TO CONSIDER THE SUGGESTIONS OF THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON THE DRAFT. I ALSO INTEND TO ADVANCE THIS BILL IN CABINET WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING THIS LEGISLATION TO THIS PLACE FOR DEBATE.
THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST
MR. SPEAKER,
THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST MANAGES 32 NATIONAL PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS FOR THE NATION. ITS NATIONAL PARK AND PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT IS SUPPORTED BY SCIENCE, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
FUNDING AND HUMAN RESOURCES
IN 2014/15 , THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS SUPPORTED THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM WITH A SUBVENTION OF $1 MILLION DOLLARS. THIS WAS EXPENDED ON KEY STAFF AND SUPPLEMENTS FUNDING FOR NATIONAL PARK INFRASTRUCTURE, MAINTENANCE AND EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMES. THIS YEAR WE INCREASE THE SUBVENTION FOR THE BNT.
MR. SPEAKER
AMENDMENT TO THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST ACT:
I HAVE MET WITH THE BNT OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATION AND WILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE REQUESTED AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION INTO THE FUTURE. THE BNT IS ALSO CONTEMPLATING A REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE ACT, TO DETERMINE WHAT OTHER CHANGES (IF ANY) SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
NATIONAL PARKS
IN APRIL OF 2015 FIVE NEW NATIONAL PARKS WERE ANNOUNCED ON THE ISLAND OF SAN SALVADOR. THE PUBLIC OUTREACH COORDINATED BY THE BNT WAS SUPPORTED BY A GRANT FROM THE CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP FUND. THE BNT AND MY MINISTRY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE SAN SALVADOR LIVING JEWELS, TO INTRODUCE MANAGEMENT TO THESE NEW PROTECTED AREAS. MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT AS SEABIRD NESTING CAYS, IGUANA HABITAT, AND MARINE NURSERIES FOR CONCH, CRAWFISH AND GROUPER AND SPECTACULAR MARINE AREAS WITH CORAL REEFS ARE IMPORTANT AS DIVE SITES FOR VISITORS TO SAN SALVADOR.
HARROLD AND WILSON PONDS NATIONAL PARK CONTINUES TO PRESENT CHALLENGES FOR THE BNT. DAMAGE FROM THE INVASIVE CATTAILS HAS DAMAGED THE BOARDWALKS AND EXTENSIVE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS PARK OVER THE NEXT YEAR. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FOR THE REMOVAL OF THIS INVASIVE SPECIES CONTINUES TO BE HIGH, BUT THE BNT WILL BE DEVELOPING A LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THIS PARK.
THE BNT HAS DEVELOPED A CONCEPTUAL PLAN FOR THE RAND NATURE CENTRE IN GRAND BAHAMA. THE PLAN WHEN IMPLEMENTED WILL TRANSFORM THE NATURE CENTRE INTO A TOP DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS ON GRAND BAHAMA, AND ALSO SERVE AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN ON GRAND BAHAMA
THE AUDUBON SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION PROJECT:
MR. SPEAKER
THE BNT CONTINUES TO WORK WITH ITS PARTNERS NATIONAL AUDUBON TO MONITOR SHOREBIRDS IN THE BAHAMAS. AUDUBON SCIENTISTS AND BNT WARDENS CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND BAND PIPING PLOVERS ON ANDROS , THE BERRY ISLANDS AND THIS YEAR THE FIELD SEASON INCLUDED WORKING ON THE ISLAND OF ABACO. THE PROJECT CONTINUES TO WORK WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY SHOREBIRDS ON THE ISLAND OF ANDROS.
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH
MR. SPEAKER
THE BNT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT THROUGH SPECIAL WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS TO VARIED SCHOOL, CHURCH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS CONTINUES TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN BNT PRESENTATIONS AND ACTIVITIES. FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 2015 TO DATE, BNT’S EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH HAS IMPACTED 7,143 PERSONS – 60 EDUCATORS, 3685 STUDENTS AND 3782 ADULTS.
BNT DISCOVERY CLUB
BNT’S DISCOVERY CLUB IS BEING IMPLEMENTED AT 60 LOCATIONS AROUND THE BAHAMAS. THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMME BENEFITS OVER 1000 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE AGES OF 6 – 21. THE BNT THROUGH A SPECIAL GRANT FROM THE ATLANTIS FOUNDATION IS IMPLEMENTING THE NAVIGATORS PROGRAMME I- THE THIRD LEVEL OF DISCOVERY CLUB . THE NAVIGATORS LEVEL IS MORE RESEARCH BASED, TARGETING YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF FOURTEEN AND TWENTY-FIVE. ACTIVITIES AT THIS LEVEL ARE DESIGNED TO EQUIP THE PARTICIPANTS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT WILL PREPARE THEM FOR COLLEGE LEVEL STUDIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OR ECO- TOURISM BASED ACTIVITIES. THIS YEAR 15 MEMBERS OF THE NAVIGATOR’S PROGRAMME SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THEIR PADI SCUBA OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE.
THE BNT DISCOVERY CLUB PROGRAMME IS CELEBRATING ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR. A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PLANNED IN CELEBRATION OF THE EVENT.
PROJECTS
MR. SPEAKER,
I NOW TURN TO HIGHLIGHT TWO BNT PROJECTS
AUDUBON NATURE TOURISM INITIATIVE
THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST AND NATIONAL AUDUBON RECENTLY SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVED PARTNERSHIP AND TO FACILITATE AN EASIER WORKING RELATIONSHIP. AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THIS WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE THE JOINT EXECUTION OF THE IDB-FUNDED AUDUBON AND MULTILATERAL INVESTMENT FUND (MIF) $2.6 MILLION NATURE TOURISM PROJECT. AUDUBON HAS SECURED THIS FUNDING TO ACHIEVE NICHE, HIGH–VALUE SUSTAINABLE BIRDING TOURISM PROGRAMMES IN THE AMERICAS. THIS NOVEL REGIONAL PROGRAM USES BIRD-WATCHING AND WE ARE EXCITED BY THEIR COMMITMENT AND ENTHUSIASM. THE BNT IS BEING SUPPORTED IN THE TRAINING BY THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL AND BAHAMAHOST TRAINING COURSES WILL BEGIN IN THE NEXT TRAINING CYCLE. ON ANDROS, THE PROJECT WILL ENGAGE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THIS SUMMER, IN ORDER TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE JOBS IN COMMUNITIES WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES. PROJECT LOCATIONS INCLUDE BELIZE, GUATEMALA, PARAGUAY AND THE BAHAMAS. ANDROS AND INAGUA ARE THE ISLANDS SELECTED IN THE BAHAMAS FOR THIS PROJECT.
THE PROJECT IS WELL UNDERWAY AND THE FIRST ROUND OF TRAINING IS NEARLY COMPLETED. OVER 60 PERSONS ON ANDROS AND INAGUA HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
REVERSING THE DECLINE PROJECT: FOCUS CORAL REEFS
THE BNT IN COLLABORATION WITH DR. CRAIG DAHLGREN SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL FOR A POSSIBLE 10-YEAR PROJECT ON CORAL REEFS. THE BNT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING $250,000/YEAR FOR A POSSIBLE 10-YEARS. THE PROJECT IS SET TO BE A NATIONALLY IMPORTANT PROJECT PULLING IN SEVERAL LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS, WITH THE BNT TAKING THE LEAD ROLE. THIS PROJECT FOCUSES ON CORAL REEFS AND CONSISTS OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS INCLUDING RESEARCH AND MONITORING, CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND POLICY.
MR. SPEAKER, THE BNT DOES AMAZING WORK FOR THE BAHAMAS AND BAHAMIANS. THEIR PARKS BELONG TO THE PEOPLE. THE PRESIDENT, MR. LARRY GLINTON HAS TOLD ME THAT HE WANTS ALL PARKS TO BE RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR INVOLVMENT AND USE. WITH THAT IN MIND MR. SPEAKER, I INVITE ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND THOSE WHO HEAR ME MY VOICE TO JOIN THE BNT AND GIVE THEM YOUR FULL SUPPORT.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
MR. SPEAKER,
DURING THE LAST FISCAL PERIOD, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (TNC) CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING AS IT RELATES TO ACHIEVING THE GOAL OF PROTECTING 20% OF THE NEAR SHORE ENVIRONMENT OF THE BAHAMAS BY THE YEAR 2020. THE FOLLOWING WAS ACCOMPLISHED:
MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) CAMPAIGN
IN EARLY 2014 THE CONSERVANCY BEGAN PLANNING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CAMPAIGN TO BUILD PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR MPAS AND THE EXPANSION OF THE NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM. THE CONSERVANCY DESIGNED AND COMPLETED PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH THAT DOCUMENTED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TAKING FURTHER ACTION TO PROTECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS THE CREATION OF MARINE MANAGED AREAS.
MPA WHITE PAPER
IN FEBRUARY OF 2015, TNC PROVIDED THE LOGISTICS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION TO OBTAIN FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSED MARINE AREAS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER. THE CONSERVANCY WAS ALSO A PART OF A GROUP OF PARTNERS UNDER THE GEF-FSP MPA PROJECT THAT CIRCULATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED AREAS TO ALL FAMILY ISLANDS FOR FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC.
SCIENTIFIC TRAINING FOR NEW BAHAMIAN RESEARCHERS
IN FEBRUARY OF 2015, THE CONSERVANCY CO-SPONSORED TRAINING FOR 23 YOUNG BAHAMIANS IN THE ATLANTIC AND GULF RAPID REEF ASSESSMENT (AGRRA) METHODS WHICH ARE USED TO MONITOR THE HEALTH STATUS OF CORAL AND FISH COMMUNITIES.
SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO ANDROS BARRIER REEF
IN MARCH OF 2015 THE CONSERVANCY SPONSORED A TEAM LED BY DR. CRAIG DAHLGREN TO STUDY THE ANDROS BARRIER REEF AND SITES WITHIN THE NORTH AND SOUTH MARINE NATIONAL PARKS. THE TEAM OF RESEARCHERS FOCUSED ON DETERMINING THE HEALTH AND STATUS OF THE BARRIER REEF WITH THE AIM OF EVENTUALLY MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MINISTRY REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT AND ZONING OF THE REEF.
GIS SUPPORT
MR. SPEAKER
THE CONSERVANCY HAS PROVIDED GIS SUPPORT TO THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO OTHER NGOS BY DEVELOPING VARIOUS MAPS THAT SHOW PROPOSED MPAS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR EXPANSION OF THE NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
MR. SPEAKER,
ATTENDANCE AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL ENVIRONMENTALIST AS THIS IS WHERE THEY LEARN ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF DONOR FUNDING AND AS IT IS HERE THAT THEY GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND DISCUSS CONCERNS AND EXCHANGE SOLUTIONS.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY NORTHERN CARIBBEAN PROGRAM WON FIRST PRIZE IN THE CINEFISH FILMS SHORT DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY AT THE 67TH GULF AND CARIBBEAN FISHERIES INSTITUTE CONFERENCE HELD IN CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS IN NOVEMBER 2014. THE FILM WAS TITLED “SUPPORTING OUR WAY OF LIFE” AND FOCUSED ON THE ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVES AS WELL AS COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO RESTORE A DEGRADED MANGROVE AREA WITHIN THE BONEFISH POND NATIONAL PARK ON NEW PROVIDENCE, BAHAMAS. IN 2013 AS PART OF THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) FULL SIZED PROJECT TNC DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED A MANGROVE RESTORATION PROJECT IN THE BONEFISH POND NATIONAL PARK.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ATTENDED THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) CONFERENCE IN SAMOA AT THE INVITATION OF MY MINISTRY.
I WANT TO THANK THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, IN PARTICULAR MRS. ELEANOR PHILLIPS AND MRS. SHENIQUE SMITH FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUILDING A STRONGER BAHAMAS.
THE FORESTRY UNIT
MR. SPEAKER,
FORESTS COVER ONE THIRD OF THE EARTH’S LAND MASS, PERFORMING VITAL FUNCTIONS AROUND THE WORLD. IN THE BAHAMAS, APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE BAHAMAS IS COVERED WITH SOME FORMS OF FOREST (I.E. PINE FOREST, BROADLEAVED – COPPICE FOREST, AND MANGROVES WETLANDS). FORESTS ARE THE MOST BIOLOGICALLY-DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS ON LAND, HOME TO MORE THAN 80% OF THE TERRESTRIAL SPECIES OF ANIMALS, PLANTS AND INSECTS. THEY ALSO PROVIDE SHELTER, JOBS AND SECURITY FOR FOREST-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES.
WORLDWIDE, AROUND 1.6 BILLION PEOPLE – INCLUDING MORE THAN 2,000 INDIGENOUS CULTURES – DEPEND ON FORESTS FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD. IN THE BAHAMAS, ALTHOUGH IT IS HARD TO PUT AN EXACT FIGURE, UNSCIENTIFICALLY, THE FORESTRY UNIT E