The Tribune

AS a result of a procurement exercise guided by the InterAmerican Development Bank, Barefoot Marketing was awarded a four-year contract to lead the public relations activities of the Water and Sewerage Corporation.

The firm will be tasked with improving the relationship between the WSC and customers, and expanding the corporation’s customer base to ensure successful implementation of the WSC Support Programme.

“Our team is looking forward to working with the WSC,” said Katherine Smith, project director at Barefoot Marketing. “We have had great preliminary strategy meetings and are looking forward to the implementation of the WSC plan to regain its market share.”

The WSC took out an $81 million loan with the IDB in December 2011 for the purpose of improving the efficiency and quality of services in the provision of potable water; to address immediate problems with sanitation in New Providence; to prepare for the implementation of economic and environmental regulation; and to create and support the corresponding regulatory entities.

Barefoot Marketing’s focus is geared toward improving the company’s communication with its customers via an improved interactive website, social media and other public relations initiatives.

The company is a full service agency experienced in developing public relations strategies, finished media for television, radio, web and social media, advertising, event management and photography.

“We are all looking forward to the input from Barefoot Marketing in driving our public relations initiatives. We’ve set our sights on improving customer service and outreach, we are confident that together we will achieve our objectives,” said WSC general manager Glen Laville.

The Water and Sewerage Corporation was established by Act of Parliament in 1976 and has full responsibilities for managing, maintaining, distributing and developing the water resources of the Bahamas.

The corporation has a team of more than 400 employees in New Providence and the Family Islands.

Through the IDB loan, the WSC developed its Support Programme to address non-revenue water reduction, institutional strengthening, rehabilitation and upgrade of wastewater infrastructure, preparation of a wastewater treatment master plan, and upgrade of the legal and regulatory framework.

The Support Programme will ultimately improve the quality of water and sewer services to customers, the WSC said.