The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government will reveal more details about a deal to transform Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) when it has “all the ducks in a row”.

BPL unions and the Free National Movement have been critical of the government’s silence about a reported effort to separate BPL’s transmission and distribution sides from the generation side with the help of new partners.

The prime minister said in the House of Assembly last month that the agreement’s details –– including the financial, contractual and other obligations that the government and chosen private sector partners will have to each other –– are still being worked out as he urged the opposition, critics and the Bahamian people to “stay tuned”.

Pressed yesterday on when more information will be given, Mr Davis said: “When we have all the ducks in a row. We’re still talking with the various parties to the arrangement. The energy committee and their technical team are working through all those issues, and once we have a position to tell the public, we will do so.”

Kyle Wilson, the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union’s (BEWU) president, recently said he has heard nothing about the deal since meeting Mr Davis last month.

“It’s just a big wait and see,” he told the Nassau Guardian. “Tensions and frustrations are just mounting and mounting and mounting.”

Transport and Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said in the House of Assembly that there will be no layoffs, adding that BPL needs $1bn to address its debt and deteriorating infrastructure.