The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NEWLY elected MICAL MP J Leo Ferguson signalled impatience with the pace of change in his constituency yesterday, urging the government to deliver cheaper power and long-promised infrastructure after warning that residents remain trapped by daily outages, high electricity bills and unfinished projects.

Contributing to the debate on the 2026/2027 Budget in the House of Assembly, Mr Ferguson said residents of Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay continue to struggle with unreliable electricity and soaring power bills.

“Diesel-generated power is dominant and expensive,” he said. “Let's continue to push micro solar grids and initiatives that are needed sooner rather than later.”

Mr Ferguson,  an FNM member, backed the government’s plan to introduce solar microgrids in the Family Islands, calling them a practical way to reduce dependence on diesel generation, cut electricity bills and strengthen resilience during hurricanes.

“Family Islands have to cut electricity costs,” he said. “Cheaper power equals lower cost for households and businesses.”

He said southern islands pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country and warned that high energy costs continue to stifle investment, business expansion and economic opportunity.

“Our current status of daily power cuts, and power bills, which makes a small family choose necessity over comfort, has to be resolved,” he said.

Although he welcomed the government’s renewable energy plans, Mr Ferguson questioned when residents would see results.

“MICAL is on the list, but my question is, how long before we see results?” he asked.

He said solar microgrids could support eco-tourism, lower operating costs for small businesses and create jobs through training in solar installation and maintenance.

Mr Ferguson also pressed the government to deliver long-promised infrastructure projects across MICAL. He acknowledged planned investments in roads, clinics, airport upgrades, drainage works and administrative buildings, but said several projects announced in previous budgets remain unfinished or have not started.

“On behalf of the people of MICAL, no empty promises,” he said. “As my esteemed colleague and cousin, Honorable V Alfred Gray would say, fix it.”

He called for improvements to seawalls, docking facilities, fishing stations and community infrastructure, along with upgrades to water systems, telecommunications services and hurricane shelters.

Mr Ferguson also raised concern about delayed payments to local government contractors and the continued use of long-term contract workers who have not been made permanent and pensionable.

He further urged the government to consider tax relief on essential goods, a VAT-free trade zone for the southern islands, expanded technical and vocational training through BTVI and increased support for tourism, fishing and eco-tourism.

He said better connectivity, cheaper power and greater local investment are needed to slow population decline in the Family Islands and give residents more reasons to remain at home.

“Keep building," he said. “Keep believing that Crooked Island, Mayaguana, Inagua, Long Cay, and Acklins are not places to leave behind, but places to invest.”