Roban: Insert Bermuda into Satellite Industry

[Updated with video] Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Walter Roban spoke at a press conference this afternoon [Feb 3], and revealed that “there have been steps taken within our Ministry to insert the presence of Bermuda into the satellite industry,” and that the “European Space Agency has tentatively been attracted to establish and operate its temporary rocket launch tracking station at Cooper’s Island.”

Minsiter Roban also listed off a number of other accomplishments including completion of the Planning Application for the hospital redevelopment within a shorter period than the agreed schedule; secondments for the two trainee Land Title Officers with Land Registry offices in the U.K. to gain experience; achieved a paperless office in the Department of Land Valuation; implemented stiffer penalties to curb illegal trading in local fish through the passage of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2010 and began enforcement of the Fisheries Regulations 2010 in January 2011.

Minister Roban’s full remarks follow below:

Good Afternoon

I am pleased to present to you now a brief snapshot of some of the achievements made by the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy in the first 100 days of the new administration. And they are certainly numerous.

I think our first achievement came with the creation of this new Ministry by Premier the Hon. Paula Cox in early November.

The decision clearly reflected this Government’s desire for Bermuda to sustain its development, while doing so in a way that is mindful of the impact of today’s actions on the Bermuda of tomorrow.

There can be no doubt that the beauty of our land is a part of who we are and this Ministry aims to approach every initiative with a view to balancing our growth and development with the protection of our environment.

This amalgamation of economic, environmental and social assets has made us a dynamic, more complete Ministry where the right hand not only knows what the left is doing, but is holding it every step of the way.

High up on my list of achievements for our Ministry is the completion of the Planning Application for the redevelopment of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital within a shorter period than the agreed schedule, thus allowing key project deadlines, including financial closure, to be met. We recognize the urgency with which Bermuda needs this new hospital building and I believe have shown our flexibility in this regard.

We have also implemented a process by which we can use sustainability impact assessments of major redevelopment projects (such as KEMH) as a guide so to ensure that the benefits of such projects are included in decision-making for the future sustainability of our island.

Recognizing the importance of overseas instruction and continued training to our Ministerial workers, we have organized secondments for the two trainee Land Title Officers with Land Registry offices in the U.K. to gain experience that better equips them to assist in the initial process of registering private land. This expedites the time required in Bermuda for trainees to become fully qualified Land Title Officers and alleviates the need for contract officers to fill those roles.

Likewise, the Energy Commission and department staff recently received training in rate construction from the Public Utilities Research centre of the University of Florida, further demonstrating this Government’s commitment to Bermudian succession and leadership in government through suitable training.

Environmentally, we like to think we are a Ministry which prides itself in leading by example. One instance of this would be that we have achieved a paperless office in the Department of Land Valuation to enhance efficiency and protect the environment. The Department of Land Valuation should be commended for this as they should for their success in clearing the backlog of stamp duty cases which has allowed them to meet their service level agreement targets with other Government departments for appraisal work.

I must also add that we are in the final stages in establishing a Land Registry for all of Bermuda, which is being drafted as we speak. When legislation is passed all of the land in Bermuda will become subject to the new Registry – no small feat by any means!

Our Ministry is also pleased to announce that we have completed the Energy White Paper, which we hope to present to the public in the spring. We have also critically reviewed a local renewable energy model home in January to assess the benefits and challenges of using renewable energy in residential settings in Bermuda.

From a Fisheries standpoint, we have implemented stiffer penalties to curb illegal trading in local fish through the passage of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2010 and began enforcement of the Fisheries Regulations 2010 in January 2011. Such regulations are vital in conserving our fish stocks for future generations.

As some of you may recall, we have met with representatives of the PEW Ocean Legacy Fund regarding a study on the feasibility of creating special management areas on the outer fringes of Bermuda’s 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Success could elevate Bermuda’s stature as a world class player in high seas marine conservation, and increase its attractiveness as a destination for scientists and others who appreciate the significance of high seas conservation to the maintenance of several marine species of interest.

And, finally, I am excited to boast that The European Space Agency has tentatively been attracted to establish and operate its temporary rocket launch tracking station at Cooper’s Island, which I believe holds a world of promise for our island. Related to this, there have been steps taken within our Ministry to insert the presence of Bermuda into the Satellite industry…a formal announcement of these developments will be forthcoming once concluded.

Overall, I have been nothing short of amazed at what our Ministry has accomplished in these first 100 days and I look forward to see what the next 100 has in store.

Thank You.

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Category: All, Environment, News, Politics