In its efforts to assist some residents in Grand Bahama in taking advantage of some of the basic necessities of life, the Government of The Bahamas has agreed to pay a deposit of $150 for those residents who qualify, to provide for service connection to access potable water.
Minister for Grand Bahama in the Office of The Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson announced on Wednesday, July 5 that once the government pays the initial deposit, the applicant needs only make arrangements with the Grand Bahama Utility Company to satisfy the balance over time and they would immediately be connected.
“After discussions with the Members of Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Turnquest and Parliamentary Secretary Pakesia Parker Edgecombe, the Government of The Bahamas agreed to further assist residents who qualify, particularly senior citizens and Indigents and those with low income,” said Senator Thompson.
“It cannot be right that the government will spend thousands of dollars on pipe and trenching and those who need the connection cannot obtain it because they are unable to afford the connection fee.
“Our government has therefore made this decision to provide assistance to those who need it the most. We anticipate that as a result of this decision approximately 100 persons once the requirements are met can immediately be connected.
“It is the role of any government to provide quality and affordable access to basic essentials needed for day to day life – potable water being one of them.” Giving an update of the current status of the Potable Water Projects, which have been superintended by the Ministry for Grand Bahama and now by the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Thompson pointed out that Phase One of the Potable Water Project in East Grand Bahama has been completed and is now being managed by the Grand Bahama Utility Company.
Phase one of the project will service all residents along the main road from Roberts Town to Bevan’s Town. This accounts for some 9,500 feet of main piping and trenching.
In West Grand Bahama, Phase one of the Potable Water Project comprises Holmes Rock North, portions of East Section 2A and all of East, section 2B, totaling 1.6 miles of trenching and piping, which has been completed. Senator Thompson added that Phase two of the Potable Water project in East Grand Bahama is ongoing and if there are no unforeseen challenges, it will take 90 to 120 days to complete.
“The Free National Movement Government has a mandate to provide relief to the residents of Grand Bahama,” said Senator Thompson. “We are cognizant of the financial challenges that the residents of these respective areas face, particularly where making successful application for service connections are concerned.
“I wish to thank the Grand Bahama Utility Company, which is also a member of the Potable Water Committee, for their willingness to look at the cost structure associated with service connections and [agreement] to reduce this cost from $680 to $418.75, which is inclusive of a $150 deposit fee.”
Senator Thompson said that once the Government pays the deposit for those residents who qualify, they are then required to keep their respective accounts current.
GOVERNMENT LENDING A HAND -- Minister for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson (centre) announces the Government’s plans to pay the required deposit for residents, allowing them to connect to the newly installed potable water supply in both East and West Grand Bahama. The Minister made the announcement during a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Also on hand for the press conference were Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Grand Bahama Melvin Seymour, and Under Secretary Harcourt Brown. (BIS Photo/Andrew Coakley)
By Andrew Coakley
Bahamas Information Services
