Video: Ministers Weeks And Burch On Budget
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks and the Minister of Public Works Lt. Col. David A. Burch held a joint post-Budget press conference yesterday [Feb 21].
Minister Weeks’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon everyone, and thank you for joining us today. I am happy to highlight the key initiatives within the Ministry of National Security budget for 2024/2025.
Our Ministry’s goal is to ensure that Bermuda remains a safe and secure community, and this budget is a testament to our dedication to achieving this goal.
Our total operational budget for the upcoming fiscal year is $137,759,000, with an additional $8,160,375 dedicated to capital funding.
These figures represent a strategic investment in our personnel, infrastructure, and technology across all departments within the Ministry.
Starting with the Ministry Headquarters, we are investing an additional $450,000 to support the recruitment of two crucial cyber security posts for our cyber security unit, and a Disaster Coordinator in the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team, which is responsible for bringing together multiple Government agencies to plan for and mitigate against any potential disaster.
Moreover, as promised in the Throne Speech, we are launching a uniformed services training programme to prepare candidates for service in our uniformed branches, ensuring we have a pipeline of capable and ready personnel.
The Royal Bermuda Regiment is set to receive $8,827,121, plus $949,000 in capital funding.
This funding will facilitate the construction of a Coast Guard shed and the completion of a hurricane preparedness shelter, which will significantly enhance our disaster response capabilities.
The Bermuda Police Service’s allocation is just over $64,837,878, with an additional $1,600,000 for capital projects.
This capital allocation for the Bermuda Police Service will allow the Government to keep its promise to provide the funding to refurbish the Police headquarters here in Prospect, which is in need of crucial repairs. As you can see, repairs are already underway, and the Ministry of Public Works is assisting with the project.
Our investment in the BPS will enable the recruitment of thirty new police officers to fill vacant posts; fund essential upgrades to the police headquarters at Prospect; add to its vehicle fleet; and I.T. infrastructure. These measures will ensure that our police service remains equipped to protect our community.
Our Customs Department will receive funding of over $18 million in 2024/2025. Part of this funding will be used to fill twenty critical posts that when filled, will enhance security at our ports through improved cruise ship enforcement, export control, and compliance.
The Department of Corrections will receive over $25 million for operational costs and $1,960,000 for capital improvements.
This funding includes allocations for recruiting thirty-six new officers, integrating the Right Living House treatment programme into our departmental operations, and funds for vital infrastructure and security upgrades across our facilities.
Lastly, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service will receive nearly $17 million for operations and $3,602,860 in capital funding.
This funding will support the recruitment of 15 new firefighters and the purchase of four new trucks that are being specifically designed for the BFRS team at the L F Wade International Airport. These new trucks will replace ageing trucks and greatly enhance our emergency response capabilities at the airport.
When you combine the recruitment plans of all of our unformed agencies, it means more than 100 positions will be needed, providing opportunities for Bermudians looking to start a career within our uniformed services.
In conclusion, this budget indicates the Government’s dedication to the safety and security of Bermuda and its citizens.
Through these funding allocations, we are strengthening our national security infrastructure and ensuring that we remain prepared and resilient in the face of any challenges to the stability of our country.
Thank you.
Minister Burch’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon,
I’m pleased to be joining my ministerial colleague the Hon. Michael A. Weeks, JP, MP to highlight the details of the upcoming 2024/25 budget for the Ministry of Public Works. The operational budget consists pf $77.3 million dollars, the Capital Development Budget consists of $52.992 million dollars and the Capital Acquisition Budget consists of 3.4 million dollars.
This figure reflects an increase of $2.1 million dollars over the previous year – reflecting the 2.5% negotiated salary & wage increase, while underscoring our indication a year ago that this year’s budget would be the same as last years.
This decision creates the environment to produce a balanced budget. It was not an easy process – as most departments desired increases in their budgets.
That said – there was room to increase the Capital Expenditure budget to allow for the addressing of some of the more critical infrastructure needs of the country.
The two most pressing issues are the state of our roads and affordable housing.
Our roads, as we all know, are the lifeline of Bermuda, connecting businesses, individuals, and the entire community. Recognising the deteriorating condition of our public roads – we are committing a significant amount of money to road restoration. With an increase to our road paving budget, now standing at $5 million dollars, we aim to address the pervasive state of our roads head-on.
This investment more than doubles our capacity to improve road conditions and set out a plan to address not just potholes but the deteriorating state of the roads generally.
However, I must temper expectations with realism — the journey to smoother roads is a marathon, not a sprint. Part of our long-term strategy to improve our roads involves the acquisition of a new asphalt plant and equipment – which is crucial in supplying the material that we need to repair our roads.
This investment will improve how we approach road maintenance, enabling more frequent, efficient, and cost-effective operations. We anticipate the plant to be fully operational within six months, marking a significant milestone in our roadwork initiatives.
At present – I am pleased to confirm that East End Asphalt Plant is back in operation, and we have been purchasing asphalt from them to address the pothole issues. We will continue to do that as well as purchasing asphalt to continue the permanent reinstatement of our roads.
Turning our attention to the other pressing issue — affordable housing — the Ministry is pleased to announce an additional $10 million dollar allocation to the Bermuda Housing Corporation, the BHC.
This boost in funding for the BHC is a critical component of our strategy to alleviate the housing challenges faced by many Bermudians, worsened by the escalating cost of living.
Our goal is to expedite the availability of affordable homes, with several projects already underway by expanding the private sector rental programme
In order to accelerate the provision of affordable housing options for Bermudians, the BHC will embark upon an ambitious plan to refurbish privately owned units, place them in the housing inventory to recover the investment and ultimately return them to their owners.
The expansion to this source will increase the inventory of affordable housing without waiting to build new.
In addition to these two areas, our budget includes improvement to critical infrastructure and environmental initiatives.
These areas include the continued stabilisation of the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility, the stabilisation of major walls and rock faces along our highways, the commencement of work on the replacement of the Swing Bridge, the expansion of Rooftop Solar systems on Government buildings, and the expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Public Works’ budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year is a blueprint for progress designed to address immediate concerns while laying the groundwork for a resilient, sustainable future.
These are just some of the items that next year’s budget will cover and will be expanded further during the budget debates in the House of Assembly over the next few weeks.
Thank you.
Burt’s smoke and mirrors “balanced budget” won’t last long. Too many issues that will require significant funds but are not funded. The failure by the PLP to maintain infrastructure over all these years will bite hard. Looking at all the breaks, one in Flatts today, in the water mains means the time will come to replace the all the pipes. Probably after the roads have been resurfaced.
“Too many issues that will require significant funds but are not funded.”
Such as the sinking fund?
Worse. For example, have they allocated funds to buy and store plenty of foam to fight an electric bus fire? Water won’t put it out but merely spreads those types of fire. On the road will be chaos, in the depot the whole fleet will go.
When was the last time anything was contributed to the Sinking Fund?
I thought a sinking fund was for emergencies, such as major hurricanes. This Government has been raiding it like it was some sort easy to steal from piggy bank. Is anything left?