August 30, 2018
Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister.
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Bannister won't meet with WSC unions
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said on Friday he has no intentions to meet with unions representing Water & Sewerage Corporation after officials urged workers to take industrial action this week stemming from grievances with the utility provider.
Taxpayers 'sacrifice' to pay Water Corp wages
A Cabinet minister last night reminded the Water & Sewerage Corporation's two unions the utility "loses money every day" after they moved to cut-off all contact with its chairman and general manager.
Bannister promoted to Deputy Prime Minister
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced the appointment of Minister of Works Desmond Bannister as deputy prime minister.
PM announces Desmond Bannister as new Deputy Prime Minister, relaxation of measures for Christmas season
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced that Minister of Works Desmond Bannister will be the next Deputy Prime Minister, taking over from Peter Turnquest who resigned last month.
Minister and MP out as $2.4m claim defendants
A CABINET minister and current MP have been removed as defendants to a $2.405m unfair dismissal claim brought by the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s former general manager.
‘Overdue at BPL? Call to make payment plan’
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister has urged Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) customers with overdue accounts to contact the electricity provider to work out payment plans.
Supplier 'crossed line' on Eleuthera water shutdown
A Cabinet minister yesterday blasted a water plant operator for "endangering the lives of Bahamians" by cutting off supply to central Eleuthera residents due to a dispute with the Water & Sewerage Corporation.
PM and Cabinet to quarantine after Bannister tests positive for COVID-19
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and all Cabinet ministers are to quarantine after Minister of Works Desmond Bannister tested positive for COVID-19.
Shanty town families mostly ‘legal’
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said people with work permits – not illegal residents – are largely the occupants of a shanty town in North Andros targeted for government demolition.
BPL fuel hedge hits 30% savings target
A Cabinet minister says many consumers may not appreciate that Bahamas Power & Light's (BPL) fuel hedging strategy has already produced 30 percent savings on their total energy bill year-over-year.
Minister: Water Corp cut-offs 'won't happen'
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that the Water & Sewerage Corporation will not be allowed to restart delinquent residential customer disconnections, saying: "That ain't going to happen."
Andros shanty houses now targeted
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister has vowed to clamp down on all unsanctioned construction on Andros, insisting that once assessments have been made on the island, officials will then formulate a plan to deal with the issue in a lawful manner.
Turnquest and Bannister negative
DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest and Works Minister Desmond Bannister have tested negative for COVID-19 after two staff members at the House of Assembly were confirmed positive.
Water Corp 'hanging on a very tight string'
The Government has little choice but to bail-out a Water & Sewerage Corporation that is "hanging on a very tight string"," a Cabinet minister confirmed yesterday.
We won’t ’Shell’ Bahamas short
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) "will not sell the Bahamian people short" in negotiations with Shell North America over New Providence's new power plant.
BPL delinquencies may force further govt help
The government may be forced into giving Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) a further bail-out if too few of its 16,000 delinquent customers pay-off their arrears, a Cabinet minister warned yesterday.
Bannister: No load shedding this summer
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday expressed confidence that there will be no load shedding across New Providence this summer. He said “we have more generation than we need” to put an end to the country’s longstanding electricity woes. Spea
NO DOCUMENTS? DON’T HIRE THEM: Bannister challenges employers over using no-work visa ‘migrants’
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said yesterday Bahamians should reflect on hiring undocumented immigrants this independence season as he discussed the threat of a shanty town on Abaco.
Abaconians promised action on unregulated shanty development
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that the government will take all action necessary “within the law” to halt further unregulated development on Abaco. Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told Tribune Business that the Minnis administration’s C
Govt may replace BPL on bond raise
The government may move Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) aside and secure the nine-figure refinancing the state-owned utility requires itself, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday.
BPL outage ‘once in a blue moon event’
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) island-wide blackout was caused by a “once in a blue moon” event, a Cabinet minister said yesterday, adding that he was “more comfortable than I’ve ever been” about summer reliability.
Bannister aiming for $500m works budget
A Cabinet minister yesterday said he will be "smiling from ear to ear" if his wish for a $500m capital works budget to improve decaying infrastructure and boost the economy is granted.
Oil price crash 'once in lifetime opportunity'
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the global oil market crash has presented The Bahamas with a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to ease the pain of the deep COVID-19 recession.Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told Tribune Business that if Bahama
BPL’s revenue in 32.5% March fall
Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) March revenues have slumped by almost one-third year-over-year, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday, as it halted disconnections for the lockdown’s duration.
'Ragged Island has not been abandoned'
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday assured the government is not abandoning residents of Ragged Island, noting that a number of projects are lined up to assist with the restoration efforts there. “What I said in the House of Assembly is poss
Closing down Straw Market was critical, insists Bannister
MINISTER of Works Desmond Bannister yesterday lashed out at Straw Market vendors for criticising the ministry’s decision to close the Bay Street site and calling it “a ploy to get rid of workers.” Noting the statements to be completely false, Mr Ban
Bannister signs $2m deal to build new glass bridge
MINISTER of Public Works Desmond Bannister signed a $2m engineering consultancy contract yesterday with Engineering Technical Services for the Glass Window Bridge in North Eleuthera.
Construction 'very strong and healthy' despite Cavalier
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the overall Bahamian construction industry remains “very strong and healthy” despite Cavalier Construction’s decision to cease operations and appoint a liquidator.Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told Tribune Bu
Bannister targets Ragged Island repair work
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday revealed that the Ministry of Works will spearhead a number of repair projects in Ragged Island and New Providence this year. Speaking to reporters outside of Cabinet, Mr Bannister said the ministry has pla
Fresh doubts on Shell role in new power plant deal
A Cabinet minister yesterday raised fresh doubts over whether Shell North America will be involved in financing, constructing and owning New Providence’s proposed multi-fuel power plant. Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told reporters outside t
Harbour Island sees $5m dock 'backlash'
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that Harbour Island’s infrastructure needs will be neglected no longer even after a local “backlash” forced the government to suspend a $5m dock upgrade. Desmond Bannister, minister of works, acknowledged to Trib
Senate passes rate reduction bond bill
THE Electricity Rate Reduction Bond Act 2019 was passed in the Senate yesterday. The act, which will replace a similar piece of legislation passed previously by the former Christie administration, allows for Bahamas Power and Light to adjust its rat
Contractor licensing wait 'not an issue' for Dorian rebuild
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the continuing wait to implement the construction industry’s self-regulatory licensing system will “not cause any issues” with post-Dorian rebuilding. Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told Tribune Business that
Families face $30 bill to bail out BPL
BAHAMAS Power and Light customers will see a $20 to $30 increase in their monthly electricity bills for 10 months starting in 2020, according to Minister of Works Desmond Bannister.
Shell open to new power plant IPO
Shell North America last night confirmed it is willing to permit Bahamian ownership in part of its New Providence power plant project through what could be this nation’s largest-ever public share offering. A spokesperson for the global energy giant,
Minister: BPL must not ‘burden’ prompt payers
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) will clamp down on delinquent bill payers so that compliant customers are not penalised in servicing its $650m refinancing.
Minister: BPL financial past ‘totally shameful’
A Cabinet minister yesterday blasted Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) financial past as “absolutely shameful” amid revelations it received a $15m taxpayer loan to help repay due debt.
Bannister: Construction needs to begin in Ragged Island
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister has admitted that construction needs to begin in Ragged Island.
Minister: ‘We’ll not be at BPL’s mercy again’
A Cabinet minister has pledged that New Providence will “never go through a summer like this again” where the island was held captive daily by Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) blackouts.
Ragged Island rebuild now up to $12m
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister defended the government’s decision to spend millions of dollars on infrastructure at Ragged Island, telling Parliament it came down to a matter of “life and death” for residents.
Ragged Island set for renewable energy investment
CABINET has approved the investment in renewable energy for storm-ravaged Ragged Island, according to Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister, who said on Friday repairs are underway.
BPL’s new $95m power plant needs to be built by experts
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said yesterday construction of Bahamas Power and Light’s new $95m power plant at Clifton Pier must utilise the professionals who know how to do it.
FINALLY - FIX IT OR FACE $10K FINES: Getting tough on utilities for holes in road
THE government yesterday passed amendments to the Road Act giving it teeth to clamp down on utility companies that have been lax in restoring public roads to an acceptable standard.
Bannister keeps BPL fire report under wraps
A REPORT on a police investigation into a series of fires that crippled infrastructure at Bahamas Power and Light’s Clifton Pier Power Plant has been completed and submitted to the government.
Bannister critical of Gray's 'irresponsible statement' over bill
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister released a statement yesterday dismissing former Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray’s “irresponsible statement” concerning a proposed Contractors Association Bill for Parliament.
Lights out for 5,400 ‘can’t pay’ families
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister revealed yesterday that 5,412 households across the country are “off the grid,” as a result of not paying energy bills for 60 days or more and collectively owe Bahamas Power and Light more than $5m.
Plans to rein in electric costs
AS HE blamed rising international gas prices for the escalating cost of electricity in the country, Works Minister Desmond Bannister said Bahamas Power and Light has worked out interim solutions until Bahamians begin to reap rewards from the Shell No
Minister 'dumbfounded' by construction chief's claims
A Cabinet minister yesterday said he was “dumbfounded” and “lost for words” over claims the Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president had been forced out by political pressure.Desmond Bannister, minister of works, told Tribune Business that
Motoring misery for four weeks
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister yesterday defended the decision to start a resurfacing exercise for Bernard Road tomorrow that will last for 21 working days.
Minnis has 'absolute' faith in Bannister
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday that he “absolutely” still has faith in Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister despite several fires at Bahamas Power and Light Company, triggering power outages in the country.The most recent of these
'Minister misled over stadium concerns'
FREEDOM Farm Baseball League founder Greg Burrows yesterday expressed concern that Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister was being led in the wrong direction over the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.Mr Burrows, a former PLP senator, called Mr Bannis
Stadium costs soared to $43m
The Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium is a waste of taxpayer money that will “never pay for itself”, a Cabinet minister admitted yesterday, amid steps taken to prevent a near-tripling of costs.
No deals - BPL’s chairman off limits
CBI Mobile – the software company owned by Bahamas Power and Light Chairman Donovan Moxey – cannot be approved for any contracts with the power provider, at least not while he’s on the board, Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister said yesterday as he sought to downplay concerns that the matter has sparked.
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