Bradley Roberts
05-30-04, - 11:33 PM
It is with great pleasure that I announce today the particulars of major road works to be initiated by my government for this lovely island of Eleuthera, affectionately known as the island of freedom. I would like at this time to congratulate the company of Symonette Enterprises of South Eleuthera represented by brothers Theophilus and Erin for successfully being awarded the contract to do road works on the main thoroughfares in North and South Eleuthera. They were the lowest bidder.
Upon my Government ascending to Office on May 2, 2002, we sought and did in fact adopt a policy to where only known and accredited road builders would be allowed to bid on road works initiated by my government. And as a caring government, we sought to ensure that road works to be done, and, where possible would be done by accredited road builders from the island where the work is to take place. Only qualified road builders resident on this island were allowed to bid.
Hence, it should be with great pride that all constituents and residents of Eleuthera should welcome one of their very own to do the road works that is so dearly needed for the island. I would hope and expect that my government’s policy in finding persons on this island to execute infrastructure works, will create employment opportunities for residents in the various settlements, along with the evolution of pride in the quality of the work, knowing that residents have a direct involvement in making their immediate settlement a better place to live and thrive in.
I have been advised that the following are the observations that my ministry has made concerning the roads in Eleuthera and the plans that will alleviate discomfort for the travelling public.
ELEUTHERA ROADS
1. Although the roads in Eleuthera are in generally fair condition, the condition of the roads are deteriorating rapidly.
2. In North Eleuthera, the highway near Upper Bogue and adjacent to the airport require reconstruction. Roads works are required in Current, Current Island and Russell Island.
3. In Central Eleuthera, roads works are required in the settlements of Gregory Town, Savannah Sound and Palmetto Point. The main highway south of the Glass Window Bridge requires work on 33 out of the 66 miles of road.
4. South Eleuthera requires work on the Cotton Bay Road, and in the Deep Creek and Green Castle area.
5. The deterioration of roads is primarily related to their age, some of which are between 15 to 25 years old. A further cause of deterioration is a lack of timely maintenance, such as overlays and patching.
6. The estimated cost of all of the road projects in Eleuthera is $7,300,000.
7. The need for road repairs is great, and will only become greater as the roads age. The Ministry of Works and Utilities has given initial priority for road repairs to be placed on the main highway, which provides for the economy through the length of the island.
8. Much of the main road is in good shape today, however within two or three years, these good roads will have deteriorated to such an extent that complete reconstruction at double or triple the cost will be required.
9. Savings can be had to the Government if salvageable roads are preserved today by the initiation of a timely road repair program.
10. In the first phase of the rehabilitation process, the Ministry of Works and Utilities tendered to Eleuthera contractors the repair of main roads between the Glass Window Bridge and Rock Sound, in two separate tenders.
11. Symonette’s Enterprises was the low bidder on both projects, and has been awarded a contract of $3,643,446.69 to do the work. Of the 33 miles of road in need of repair between the Glass Window Bridge and Rock Sound, 20 miles can be preserved today at low cost. The remaining 13 miles will be reconstructed to a width of 24 feet, approximately 3 feet wider than exists now.
12. The second phase of the remaining identified road works required here in Eleuthera is estimated to cost some $3.7 million. It is expected that this second phase will follow shortly after the completion of phase one.
I wish to encourage Symonette Enterprises of South Eleuthera and those other residents of Eleuthera who will partake in this task to continue to make your island a welcomed place to travel through and to do your best work, not only because your own credibility relies on it and not only because my government relies on it; but because the livelihood of the island and the safety of travel through the island also relies on it.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Progressive Liberal Party in its 2002 Our Plan, declared that the once prosperous Eleuthera was suffering from economic depression. We pledge to make Eleuthera great again by reviving her economy and nurturing her social institutions back to life. We also pledge to encourage investors to purchase and/or construct and operate hotels and tourism related businesses.
The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister, has already announced that plans are well underway for the construction of a world class hotel, marina and wellness centre in central and south Eleuthera. A major hotel and second homes project in south Eleuthera headed by Bahamians will be announced very shortly. This morning I spoke with the attorney for the developer who has purchased the old Club Med site and he has assured me that the development plans for that facility are progressing satisfactorily.
These road works are critical as we move to put in place the proper infrastructure that is badly needed to prepare this island of freedom for the impending developments that I have just mentioned.
I embrace this opportunity to reassure the good people of Eleuthera that your Progressive Liberal Party Government will indeed deliver on its promise with the help of Almighty God.
Once again, it is with great pleasure that I announce the beginning of the promised road works for this great island of Eleuthera and I invite the Symonette brothers to join me in executing the contract of works.
Thank You,
BRADLEY B. ROBERTS, MP
MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, UTILITIES
& BAHAMASAIR
Upon my Government ascending to Office on May 2, 2002, we sought and did in fact adopt a policy to where only known and accredited road builders would be allowed to bid on road works initiated by my government. And as a caring government, we sought to ensure that road works to be done, and, where possible would be done by accredited road builders from the island where the work is to take place. Only qualified road builders resident on this island were allowed to bid.
Hence, it should be with great pride that all constituents and residents of Eleuthera should welcome one of their very own to do the road works that is so dearly needed for the island. I would hope and expect that my government’s policy in finding persons on this island to execute infrastructure works, will create employment opportunities for residents in the various settlements, along with the evolution of pride in the quality of the work, knowing that residents have a direct involvement in making their immediate settlement a better place to live and thrive in.
I have been advised that the following are the observations that my ministry has made concerning the roads in Eleuthera and the plans that will alleviate discomfort for the travelling public.
ELEUTHERA ROADS
1. Although the roads in Eleuthera are in generally fair condition, the condition of the roads are deteriorating rapidly.
2. In North Eleuthera, the highway near Upper Bogue and adjacent to the airport require reconstruction. Roads works are required in Current, Current Island and Russell Island.
3. In Central Eleuthera, roads works are required in the settlements of Gregory Town, Savannah Sound and Palmetto Point. The main highway south of the Glass Window Bridge requires work on 33 out of the 66 miles of road.
4. South Eleuthera requires work on the Cotton Bay Road, and in the Deep Creek and Green Castle area.
5. The deterioration of roads is primarily related to their age, some of which are between 15 to 25 years old. A further cause of deterioration is a lack of timely maintenance, such as overlays and patching.
6. The estimated cost of all of the road projects in Eleuthera is $7,300,000.
7. The need for road repairs is great, and will only become greater as the roads age. The Ministry of Works and Utilities has given initial priority for road repairs to be placed on the main highway, which provides for the economy through the length of the island.
8. Much of the main road is in good shape today, however within two or three years, these good roads will have deteriorated to such an extent that complete reconstruction at double or triple the cost will be required.
9. Savings can be had to the Government if salvageable roads are preserved today by the initiation of a timely road repair program.
10. In the first phase of the rehabilitation process, the Ministry of Works and Utilities tendered to Eleuthera contractors the repair of main roads between the Glass Window Bridge and Rock Sound, in two separate tenders.
11. Symonette’s Enterprises was the low bidder on both projects, and has been awarded a contract of $3,643,446.69 to do the work. Of the 33 miles of road in need of repair between the Glass Window Bridge and Rock Sound, 20 miles can be preserved today at low cost. The remaining 13 miles will be reconstructed to a width of 24 feet, approximately 3 feet wider than exists now.
12. The second phase of the remaining identified road works required here in Eleuthera is estimated to cost some $3.7 million. It is expected that this second phase will follow shortly after the completion of phase one.
I wish to encourage Symonette Enterprises of South Eleuthera and those other residents of Eleuthera who will partake in this task to continue to make your island a welcomed place to travel through and to do your best work, not only because your own credibility relies on it and not only because my government relies on it; but because the livelihood of the island and the safety of travel through the island also relies on it.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Progressive Liberal Party in its 2002 Our Plan, declared that the once prosperous Eleuthera was suffering from economic depression. We pledge to make Eleuthera great again by reviving her economy and nurturing her social institutions back to life. We also pledge to encourage investors to purchase and/or construct and operate hotels and tourism related businesses.
The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister, has already announced that plans are well underway for the construction of a world class hotel, marina and wellness centre in central and south Eleuthera. A major hotel and second homes project in south Eleuthera headed by Bahamians will be announced very shortly. This morning I spoke with the attorney for the developer who has purchased the old Club Med site and he has assured me that the development plans for that facility are progressing satisfactorily.
These road works are critical as we move to put in place the proper infrastructure that is badly needed to prepare this island of freedom for the impending developments that I have just mentioned.
I embrace this opportunity to reassure the good people of Eleuthera that your Progressive Liberal Party Government will indeed deliver on its promise with the help of Almighty God.
Once again, it is with great pleasure that I announce the beginning of the promised road works for this great island of Eleuthera and I invite the Symonette brothers to join me in executing the contract of works.
Thank You,
BRADLEY B. ROBERTS, MP
MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, UTILITIES
& BAHAMASAIR