Ladies and Gentlemen:

I participated, earlier today, in the opening of a new realigned West Bay Street in Nassau. That road project is facilitating the mega redevelopment of Baha Mar’s Resort in Cable Beach, a project which promises to create thousands of new jobs and hundreds of business opportunities for Bahamians in our economy.

The new road fits into my Government’s larger planned upgrade of infrastructure on the island of New Providence. A number of infrastructural projects will, when completed, improve the network of road corridors in the Capital City reducing traffic congestion, bring improved quality and quantity of water and more reliable electricity supply to residents in old traditional neighbourhoods as well as further a field in the eastern suburbs of the island.

Finally after more than 30 years, we will be able to discontinue the barging of water from Andros to New Providence beginning next month.

I note that the only islands of The Bahamas with sufficient ground water to meet the needs of growing communities are Abaco, Andros and Grand Bahama. And this does not extend to their cays. Notably Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Man-O-War Cay, Hope Town, Cherokee Sound and Moore’s Island Abaco, Bimini, Sweetings Cay and Water Cay in Grand Bahama, Black Point in Exuma, Current Island in Eleuthera, Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Acklins and Crooked Island, Cat Island and San Salvador, are water deficient.

As a consequence alternate means to produce and deliver water had to be found. Water produced from desalination plants has not always been as affordable as it has become with the advance of technology. This has meant that we have been able to install in more recent times, desalination plants on Exuma mainland, in Black Point, in Long Island, Bimini, and in Moore’s Island and Grand Cay Abaco, San Salvador, Inagua, Ragged Island and of course in New Providence.

And, since last year, we have been able to pipe ground water to Green Turtle Cay from the mainland. Before that time residents on that cay were forced to depend on rainwater for their everyday water needs and to purchase drinking water.

I have come to Eleuthera this afternoon to share in the joy of residents of Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound in finally having access to piped, clean and drinkable water!

As in New Providence, my Government is committed to improving public infrastructure and improving the quality of public utilities available to Bahamians regardless to their island of residence. This is not only a matter of convenience; it is very importantly about ensuring the health of our nation. Access to safe, potable water is fundamental to healthy living.

I recall vividly how stunned I was during a visit to Tarpum Bay when I was out of office. I spent a night at Ethel’s Cottages and looked forward to a refreshing shower the following morning. I found it difficult to discern a difference between the water in that shower and jumping overboard into the sea as a child in Cooper’s Town, Abaco.

I was in the company of the Member for North Eleuthera who joins me here today. I recall him saying then that not only was the quality of the water unfit for human consumption, it was unhealthy for animals and not suited for watering plants!

I raised the matter in the House but it didn’t get any traction with the Government of the day.

I have noticed however, that since my return to office in 2007, your Member of Parliament has made a point of bringing the poor quality of your water to the Government’s attention in his speeches particularly at Budget time. On more than one occasion I reminded him, that when his Party was in office he was silent on the matter. I also assured him that on my watch, he need not worry - Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound would get piped potable water.

I recall that it was on my watch during my previous terms in office that my Government commenced the All Eleuthera Water Project bringing potable water to all of Eleuthera north of Governor’s Harbour.

In more recent times we have completed the distribution system on Harbour Island. Harbour Island now has good water. And we commenced the necessary work to extend good quality potable water to the remainder of this island.

I have been reminded that loans negotiated by my Government from the Caribbean Development Bank between 1994-1996 permitted the replacement of water mains and the replacement and upgrade of water storage and pumping stations from Savannah to Governors Harbour and from Tarpum Bay to Rock Sound. These water mains works were undertaken at a cost of approximately $13M.

And between 2000 and 2002 my Government concluded arrangements for water mains replacements costing some $10 million approximately $3 million of which was expended on water mains upgrades for Waterford, Green Castle and Deep Creek.

We had originally planned to improve the performance of the area’s well fields but as technology improved, switched to the construction of desalination or R/O plants for which procurement started in 2001 and was completed 2003. Subsequently a contract for the R/O plant for Central Eleuthera was awarded 2003.

We have still to undertake water works in Williams Town in Exuma and in Salt Pond in Long Island – work that we expect to commence soon.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Government that succeeded mine did not see its way clear to deal with the water supply needs of Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound and proceeded with plans for a water plant in the Deep South.

Regrettably, it was my personal experience at Ethel’s that brought forcefully to my notice, your predicament and unfinished water project.

Frankly, having replaced your water mains earlier I confidently expected that your water supply needs would have been addressed. Sadly that was not the case. Hence, we are completing that which we started.

Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound are developed communities comprised of enterprising Bahamians who, by the sweat of their brows have developed businesses, constructed homes and made a good life for themselves and their families. You deserve good public services.

For my part, I am grateful to the Bahamian people who have put me in a position to do for people such as yourselves what you should be able to expect as public service in The Bahamas. Enjoy it!