The Tribune

By ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

ABACO’S infrastructure pipeline is expanding across roads, docks and airports, a Cabinet minister said yesterday, while warning that a shortage of road contractors is creating capacity constraints.

Clay Sweeting, minister of works and Family Island affairs, speaking at the Abaco Business Outlook, said the Government is preparing to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for major roadworks across central and south Abaco, followed by projects in North Abaco, as it seeks to strengthen the infrastructure needed to support the island’s continued economic growth.

“We’re paving a lot in this country right now, which is a good thing,” Mr Sweeting said. “But by the same token, we don’t have enough road contractors.”

He said the shortage represents an opportunity for Bahamians, particularly young people, to enter the road construction industry by acquiring paving equipment. “I think right now we have every road contractor who paves in the Family Islands working,” he added.

The comments came as Mr Sweeting outlined a substantial pipeline of road projects already underway or in preparation across Abaco.

In Central Pines, a $6.1m road contract has resulted in four miles of road being paved, with the project expected to be completed by the end of September. In Sweeting’s Village, five-and-a-half miles of roads are to be completely rebuilt using hot-mix asphalt, alongside new water infrastructure.

Mr Sweeting said the water works will be completed before paving begins to prevent newly-constructed roads from being dug up later to install pipelines and household connections.

“We have seen brand new roads dug up, and then they lay the pipe and money is wasted, and you have to go back and pave again,” he said.

A contract has also been awarded for road repairs in Cherokee Sound, with the contractor expected to mobilise this month and the project targeted for completion by the end of December 2026. On Man-O-War Cay, the Government is preparing a road project valued at approximately $2.6m to repair ageing concrete roads and address drainage problems.

Mr Sweeting said his ministry has completed the scope of works for additional roads across Abaco and will shortly issue RFPs for paving projects in Central and South Abaco.

“Make sure the budgets make sense, because in short order we’ll put out the RFP, which should be a massive undertaking to ensure that from the deep south to central will be paved,” he told contractors.

He said the Government will subsequently begin scoping road projects for North Abaco. Mr Sweeting said the road investment is not simply about improving transportation, but also reducing the cost of doing business on the island.

“Bad roads mean worn tires and more trips to the shop, and slower deliveries, and these costs end up at the checkout counter,” he said.

During the question-and-answer session, Central Pines resident Jeremy Saunders raised concerns about remaining sections of road in the community, including Curly Tail Way, which he described as being in extremely poor condition despite substantial paving already completed. He added that potholes are the equivalent of “bunker busters”.

Another resident, Glenda Knowles, also appealed for attention to deteriorated sections of the Treasure Cay SC Bootle Highway, particularly areas near Joe’s Creek and Rubis.

Mr Sweeting acknowledged the pressure being placed on the limited number of contractors currently handling Family Island roadworks.

The infrastructure programme extends beyond roads, with the Government also advancing several dock projects intended to improve transportation, fishing and cargo connections between Abaco and its surrounding cays.

On Moore’s Island, more than $8m is being invested in a new vehicle-rated mailboat dock, improvements to fishermen’s docks at Hard Bargain and The Bight, seawalls and solar lighting. The project is approximately 65 percent complete.

At Green Turtle Cay, more than $3.3m is being spent to rebuild the Government mailboat dock, including a new ramp allowing vehicles and cargo to roll directly on and off vessels. Construction has started, with completion expected during the fourth quarter.

The Government is also moving ahead with repairs to Dorian-damaged ferry docks at Treasure Cay, White Sound and Hope Town. Mr Sweeting said strengthening those connections is essential to ensuring economic activity reaches the wider Abaco district.

“If we want the cays to grow, we have to strengthen the connections between them,” he added.

Airport infrastructure is also receiving attention, with Mr Sweeting pointing to recent and planned improvements at Treasure Cay Airport and increased activity at Marsh Harbour Airport. Safety upgrades at Treasure Cay Airport were completed last year, while plans are underway for a new Treasure Cay Airport.

The minister also said more movements are coming to Marsh Harbour airport as Abaco prepares for increased visitor and investment activity. “Our airports are Abaco’s front door,” Mr Sweeting said. “If we want more visitors and more investment, the front door has to be in good shape.”

The Government is also continuing work on drainage and resilience measures across the island, particularly in low-lying communities. Mr Sweeting said the Ministry, working with local government, stepped up drain clearing across Abaco last September, with particular attention paid to areas including Marsh Harbour.

He said the infrastructure programme must ultimately ensure that Abaco’s development does not outpace the roads, ports, water systems and other infrastructure required to sustain it.

“The question now is how do we make sure development doesn’t run ahead of the roads, the ports, the water, and the power needed to sustain it,” Mr Sweeting said.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring Abaco businesses and contractors benefit directly from the Government’s infrastructure spending through jobs, equipment purchases and opportunities to develop local skills.

“Ultimately it helps to build an economy that is more capable of building for itself,” he said. Mr Sweeting said the Government’s focus has shifted from planning for Abaco’s recovery to strengthening the infrastructure required for its next phase of growth.

“In 2024, we talked about a plan, and today I can point to work you can see with your own eyes: roads being paved, docks being built, and water lines going in,” he said. “We planned for success, and now we are strengthening the foundation that success will stand on.”