ANDROS, The Bahamas – Transportation, machinery and personnel matters were among concerns expressed by employees of the Ministry of Works and Utilities, Andros, during a visit by the Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Along with a delegation, Minister Sears visited the central island and met with staff in settlements of Nicholl’s Town and Love Hill. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the proposed Lowe Sound Primary School, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), and bridges.
The group included Bacchus Rolle, Leon Lundy, Leonardo Lightbourne, Parliamentary Secretaries; Luther Smith, Permanent Secretary; Melanie Roach, Director; Robert Mouzas, Deputy Director; Ted Johnson, Acting Head Architect; David Cox, Civil Engineer; and Tyrel Young, Chairman of BAMSI.
Minister Sears used the opportunity to thank the employees for their work and to allow them to express concerns and make recommendations.
He said, “You have more roads than any other island in terms of length. There are three airports functioning currently, there are numerous docks, you have more bridges than any other island, you have seawalls, ramps, and numerous government buildings which have to be maintained.

“What you do is critical and you do work that we cannot do in Nassau, it has to be done here in Andros.
“We cannot be complacent because what happened in Abaco and what happened in Grand Bahama in 2019, September 1, 2 and 3 – in those 3 days the Bahamas lost equivalent to 1/5 of its GDP, $3.4 billion dollars was lost. We’ve not recovered yet, not fully.
“We’ve also lost compatriots, money can’t buy land. Families are still grieving. That can happen in any part of this country. We are the most vulnerable. All of our island states are vulnerable.
“As we build and renovate we have to build with more resilience. That is why Andros is the first site of the coastal resilience program so we can understand those vulnerable areas, sensitive eco-systems, mangroves, reefs and coastal areas of our island so we can ensure when a hurricane comes again, inevitably we know it will come -- that we are stronger than we were yesterday.
“What you do is critical and what you share with us can make us better in terms of the policy and the administration of what we do from Nassau,” he said.
On the issue of transportation, Minister Sears informed that Cabinet approval has been received to purchase additional vehicles.
“We are moving to electric vehicles, so we will be installing the chargers and also solar because we want to incorporate more solar.
“We all live in The Bahamas. To lose $3.4 billion dollars and to be shut down for two years it has created a revenue challenge for The Bahamas.
“One of the things I have undertaken is to also reach out to what we would call non-traditional sources. I’ve made an application to Germany for funding in terms of grant funding. When I met with IDB and CDB, I said I’m not interested in more loans; we want some grants. We are suffering because of other people’s lifestyles and choices. We need restorative justice as a vulnerable country.
“We just went to Africa too -- within a matter of months we will be launching the carbon credit which is a new sector of our economy. So we have to be nimble and we need to make sure you have what you need.”

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PHOTO CAPTIONS
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna

0960 – The Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Bacchus Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary chat in front of the BAMSI administrative building.

1024 – Robert Mouzas, Deputy Director, and the Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities inspect Stafford Creek Bridge.

1067 – A view of the London Creek Bridge in North Andros which was completed some 18 months ago at a cost of $2.5 million.

0742 – The Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities meets with staff in Nicholls Town.

0834 – Senator Tyrel Young, BAMSI Chairman, guides the Hon. Alfred Sears on a tour of BAMSI.