The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DUE to the shortage of professional engineers in the country, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville has called for “engineering opportunities” to be made available through scholarship programmes to bright Bahamian students.

The minister was speaking yesterday at the opening of the Northern Branch of the Bahamas Society of Engineers (BSE) annual national meeting and workshop at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant, Freeport.

Dr Darville said the shortage of engineers has forced the government and private sector to recruit civil, mechanical, chemical and electrical engineers from abroad to meet the demands of the Ministry of Public Works.

“A recent survey verified that there is a shortage of professional engineers throughout the country, but more specifically in the Family Islands, where many construction projects are up and going,” he said. “It is paramount that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and private sector partners come together to promote engineering opportunities through scholarships programmes for our brighter high school students upon graduation.”

He said next month the Ministry for Grand Bahama, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, will hold the annual technical and industrial career opportunities fair, with the assistance of the major industrial and maritime companies on Grand Bahama.

He commended the BSE northern division and the Rotary Club of Lucaya for what they are doing to promote science, technology and engineering among the youth in Grand Bahama.

Dr Darville was impressed with the engineering ability of students during the SECME Science Fair and Awards Ceremony held earlier this year in Grand Bahama. Of the schools that participated, the Bishop Michael Eldon High School won and advanced to participate in the International SECME mousetrap competition, where it came second.

Dr Darville, a Canadian trained engineer, said engineers play a critical role in planning, developing, building and maintaining public infrastructure. He also noted that there are many different areas of engineering, including road works, building of cities and infrastructure, sanitation systems, manufacturing industries, and the like.

“The crucial role of engineering for modern civilisation is implicit in every aspect of our lives,” he said. “It is predicted that over the next two decades, the world population will increase by an additional two billion people, with 95 per cent of these people living in developing or underdeveloped countries. As engineers, we certainly must play a major role in the way forward as The Bahamas moves from a developing to a developed country.

“Considering the existing local and future global challenges, we must resolve to contribute to the development of a more sustainable, stable and equitable country, where local engineers lead the way in the modernisation, technological and industrial expansion of our islands,” he said.

Dr Darville is convinced that Grand Bahama will soon witness an industrial explosion. He said new projects in both the private and public sectors will be available, resulting in a surplus of employment opportunities for Bahamian engineers and other construction professionals.

“I believe that Grand Bahama has passed through the worst part of the storm and brighter days lie ahead,” he said. “There is currently a shortage of engineers throughout the country, and going forward as a government we must work closely with professional bodies like the Bahamas Society of Professional Engineers ... so that every major project coming to the island of Grand Bahama allows for transference of knowledge to Bahamian professionals, as well as their economic empowerment,” he said.

The Northern Branch of the BSE is the first outside New Providence and since its inception two years ago, it has increased its membership to nearly 40 members.

Freeport engineer Wendell Grant talked about the New Providence Road Project and emphasised the need for Grand Bahama engineers to seek job opportunities outside Freeport. Mr Grant was among several engineering firms that came together with the Chinese on the $70m dual carriageway road project in Nassau. The project also involved electrical, cable, telephone and other infrastructural improvements along the 6.5-mile road. He described the road, with all the new infrastructural improvements, as “the central nervous system of Nassau.”

The Grand Bahama Power Company also held a presentation regarding the waste management of sludge at its plant in Freeport. In earlier years, the company stored sludge at its premises but in 2011, it implemented a more efficient waste management system by purchasing two new Heavy Fuel Oil purifiers. Last year, about 160,000 gallons of sludge was shipped off the island.