Minister Burch On 7 Years Of Public Works

“When this Administration came to office in July 2017, the state of our critical infrastructure was poor. This was a result of years of under investment by successive Governments. Over the past 7 years we have focused primarily on reinvesting in our critical assets,” Minister of Public Works David Burch said in the House of Assembly on Friday.

The Minister said, “For example, since 2017 we have:

• Installed Solar panels on various Government buildings.
• Partnered with BELCO in their Capital works to improve the reliability of the Island electrical grid.
• Invested in the refurbishment of the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility, and
• Purchased a new Asphalt Plant and related equipment.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, upon assuming this role, there was one overarching goal that I wished to address during my tenure – Improving the Quality of Life for Bermudians.

To meet this goal, I set about doing several things – all aimed at making life easier for the Bermudian public.

First was improving critical government infrastructure. In the Ministry of Public Works context, this is described as infrastructure vital for the functioning of a society and its economy. For us it means roadways, bridges, waste disposal, water treatment, and ports.

When this Administration came to office in July 2017, the state of our critical infrastructure was poor. This was a result of years of under investment by successive Governments. Over the past 7 years we have focused primarily on reinvesting in our critical assets. For example, since 2017 we have:

• Installed Solar panels on various Government buildings.
• Partnered with BELCO in their Capital works to improve the reliability of the Island electrical grid.
• Invested in the refurbishment of the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility, and
• Purchased a new Asphalt Plant and related equipment.

However, these are not the only projects the Ministry of Public Works has undertaken. Mr. Speaker, one initiative in particular is the 2023 Commissioning of the East End Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Facilities.

This $30,000,000.00 initiative was designed to enhance the lives of our citizens by rejuvenating old and creating new water systems that would properly treat sewage waste and provide potable (drinking) water to the parish of St. George’s.

Mr. Speaker, this project located primarily in Southside, St. David’s has seen all new potable water mainlines being installed; new sewage collection connectivity to the Town of St. George’s and its Hotels; a new Reverse Osmosis plant and Wastewater treatment facility; the ability to interconnect Southside reservoirs resulting in enhanced storage capacity; plus new monitoring systems for critical equipment.

In addition to the direct benefits, it affords the ability for the Ministry’s Water Section to establish a new water truckers’ outlet in Southside. So to remind, we will not have water rationing as was the case for several summers.

Mr Speaker last and by no means least, the project has a major Environmental benefit for Bermuda. For the first time St. George’s, will see all sewage redirected to Southside where it will be treated via the new wastewater treatment facility and no longer will there be a need to pump it overboard. We will be able to permanently close the Tobacco Bay sewage outfall. This is a huge accomplishment that will contribute significantly to enhancing our marine environment.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said before, vision and aspirations only work if you have learned from the past. While critical infrastructure projects like the East End Water and Wastewater Facilities are the vision, we must have the people qualified to sustain them.

It is no secret that the Government (if not the Island as a whole) has a succession challenge. This has been known for some time now. Here at the Ministry of Public Works this concern is ever more pressing as our work requires specializations that takes years to cultivate.

For example, Mr. Speaker, natural attrition, and the competition for employees in the local and global marketplace has led to a deficit in available Power Engineers on Island that the aforementioned Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility require. These power engineers ensure safe and reliable operations of the Plant.

Mr. Speaker, most recently four (4) young Bermudians earned their Advanced Diploma in Power Engineering Technology from Cambrian College.

This is just one example of training opportunities this Government has created to cultivate young talented Bermudians for success in the future as better equipped graduates able to make more informed choices about their career paths.

Mr. Speaker, this Administration has been working diligently to ensure that all residents have the option to not only have an affordable place to stay, but also the opportunity to own “a piece of the rock.”

Since 2018, this Government has supported the Bermuda Housing Corporation in adding sixty two (62) new units – forty-eight (48) of which are currently being utilised to provide affordably priced housing to Bermudians through the Rent Geared to Income based scheme which is capped at 35% (25% rent and 10% savings) of total household income.

Mr. Speaker, in 2019, The Bermuda Housing Corporation’s Home Start Programme was launched and remains available to Bermudians who have never owned a home and are looking to obtain first time home ownership. This programme is a partnership between the BHC and Clarien Bank.

Since its launch, this programme has assisted thirty-four (34) Bermudian families in their quest to become first time homeowners. The programme is proving incredibly popular and as I have said before, we are looking to expand the programme through other financial institutions.

I must say that these are not all the projects that are currently being explored – discussions on a number of others to increase the housing stock are underway and will be reported when finalised.

Mr. Speaker, during this period the now closed T. N. Tatem Middle School has been populated by community-based organisations including BASE the autism support charity, PHC, Restoration Ministries, Grace Point, a boxing gym, a carpentry shop, a community kitchen, a thrift shop, and various other community-based organisations.

Mr. Speaker, during Covid the government made every vacant plot of arable land available for community gardens – there are now six active gardens across the island.

Following Covid – beach concessionaires were offered 3-year contracts rather than the normal 1-year renewal – so that they could better plan and prepare for the season. This process will continue going forward.

Mr. Speaker, it has been seven (7) years since the electorate entrusted us with managing the Islands issues. As I said at the beginning of this Statement, improving the Quality of Life for Bermudians is the primary goal. We still have much work to do but we are not deterred and shall continue on that path.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

#BermudaPolitics

Category: All