The Tribune

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development Philip Davis thanked residents of South Andros for their patience as the government works to settle debts and bills left by the previous administration.

Mr Davis led a team of government ministers and officials to South Andros to address residents’ concerns at a town meeting.

He said: “We want you to understand that come the next fiscal year, you will be seeing what we promised – we will fulfil those promises.”

Minister of Financial Services Ryan Pinder; Minister of State for Investments Khaalis Rolle; Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation Hope Strachan; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development Renward Wells and South Andros MP Picewell Forbes accompanied Mr Davis.

The Ministry of Works and Urban Development was given a total budget of $229 million for this government’s first fiscal year in office, he told South Androsians.

“Of that $229 million, about $180 plus million had already been committed by the previous administration to finishing the road programmes in Nassau,” he said.

“We had what they called the New Providence Road Improvement Programme that ate up most of the budget; we had the Airport Gateway Programme that ate up a lot of the budget.

“In addition, we had to find additional monies to take care of some of the prior work that was committed for. For example, the Marsh Harbour Airport, we had to find an additional $8 million; for the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre works we had to find another $8 million.

“What I am saying to you is that by the time I was sitting in my office, after two months, I realised that there was nothing for the Family Islands. So I had to be a little creative just to pick off and do little things here and there.”

Mr Davis reminded the residents that the government had to borrow an additional $100 million to cover unpaid financial commitments acquired during the previous administration.

This added to the $550 million the government received approval to borrow for the 2012/13 fiscal year.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this present government does not intend to focus as much on New Providence the next fiscal year.

“We will make provisions to maintain what is there in Nassau and our eyes and focus will be on those necessities needed for our Family Islands.”

He said the government will make sure South Andros gets potable water right way, as well as proper cable service and will look into putting in proper sporting facilities in place for the young people.

“The time has come for us to recognise that all services that enhance the life of the least amongst us have to be delivered to the least amongst us wherever we may be,” Mr Davis said.

“If we are in Bain Town, if we are in Old Bight Cat Island or Devil’s Point Cat Island; if we are in Deep Creek or Drake’s Hill – the same thing has to be delivered and you cannot just promise it; you have to deliver it.”