October 2001 Table of Contents

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation celebrated the employment of two 4.4 Megawatt diesel generators during a ceremony at the BEC Marsh Harbour site on 14th September which was attended by the Prime Minister Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham and the Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson. Music was provided by Wesley College band and Abaco Central High School choir.

The two generators are the largest used by BEC outside of Nassau, a sign of Abaco's importance to the country's economy. Chairman of the Corporation, J Barrie Farrington, noted that Abaco also used more modes of delivery than anywhere else in The Bahamas: above ground, underground and undersea. BEC intends to expand ahead of Abaco's needs, he assured the audience of over two hundred people who were accommodated in a large tent.

Bradley Roberts, the General Manager of BEC, noted that the corporation served over 3,000 customers in 1997 and now was serving over 7,000 users. This, he said, reflected Abaco's extraordinary growth. He said that the equipment of previous providers of electricity, such as the Treasure Cay plant, would be maintained for standby use.

South Abaco MP Robert Sweeting took our thoughts back to two years ago when Hurricane Floyd hit Abaco with such devastation. He congratulated the line crews and all of BEC for getting Abaco's electricity supply back on line in exceptionally short order. Deputy PM Frank Watson informed those present that a fuel line would be constructed between the new Marsh Harbour dock and the power station.

The main speaker was the Prime Minister who began his keynote address with reference to the "barbarous act" which was causing so much pain and suffering in the land of our neighbours. He conjectured that the repercussions of the terrorist acts would impact The Bahamas economically, perhaps seriously, but felt sure that any recession would be short lived. The Prime Minister led the assembled company in a moment of silence for the victims and their loved ones.

The Prime Minister then turned to politics and rather naughtily named names as he outlined the conditions which prevailed on Abaco before his party assumed power and a little earlier. The previous owners of power stations in Green Turtle Cay, Marsh Harbour, Crossing Rocks and Treasure Cay, plus the reseller of current in Man-O-War Cay, had been onerous on their respective communities. Treasure Cay, he said, now had reliable service and only had to pay 17 per KwH instead of 26 or more. He noted that $1.7 million had been assigned for the upgrading of roads in central Abaco, 31 instances of 16 foot roadway in Dundas Town, Murphy Town and Marsh Harbour costing $3.4 million.

Treasure Cay now has the sweetest water it has ever tasted and work on the $11.7 million dock in Marsh Harbour would begin during October of this year. A new terminal building for the Marsh Harbour International Airport and a control tower was slated for early 2002 and provisions for night flights should be in place by November 2001. A 40,000 square foot government compound and police station would also be under construction soon on the border between Dundas Town and Marsh Harbour and as of 1st October lots in the Central Pines Estate would be on sale.

On this matter the Prime Minister was emphatic. When the Marsh Harbour Sub-Division (now Norman Cove Estates) opened, many people with money disregarded the guidelines and built rental units. The new sub-division, the Prime Minister said, was for single family purchase and he did not want to see speculators (he called them hoarders) moving in. As he said these words he looked straight at one particular member of the audience. Lord have mercy...

After the speeches those assembled moved over to the main station where Mrs Maggie Sweeting cut the ribbon to officially open the area. The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque and led the way to inspect the two generators. Refreshments were served.

October 2001 Table of Contents