Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, Member of Parliament (MP) for Central and South Eleuthera, the Hon. Clay Sweeting, during an interview in August, responded to questions posed and provided an update on ongoing infrastructure developments and projects taking place throughout Eleuthera, addressing areas of concern while also highlighting some of his key achievements, and discussing a number of long-term policy goals and initiatives – both in Eleuthera and the wider Bahamas.
Taking a look back at his first five years in office, Minister Sweeting reflected on his initial five-point plan for the constituency – which included the construction of a new medical facility to provide both primary and critical care services; the creation of opportunities for farmers and fishermen to grow their businesses and investment in additional cottage industries; further decentralization of government services; working with educators and nonprofit organizations to increase opportunities for students to achieve their full potential; and full focus on improving the economic climate in Eleuthera to boost job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities.
In his review of the plan, he expressed he had accomplished four out of the five points, with the final point – the healthcare facility in Palmetto Point, he said, nearing completion. “Prior to being elected in 2021, we set out on a five-point plan – a local plan for the constituency on what we wanted to accomplish. And these were five points that we felt were feasible and something that could actually be done. They were not pie-in-the-sky promises to the people in the constituency. And we actually reached those milestones. The only one that we still have being completed now is the healthcare facility in Palmetto Point, and we’re reaching that milestone there. So, we’ve done a lot of work.”
Sweeting added that they had looked at the economy and ways that they could revitalize it, saying, “I think that any member of parliament – their drive to ensure that the life of the people is better than they found it, is the overarching goal.” He described the current economy in Central and South Eleuthera as one of the fastest-growing in the country, driven by infrastructure improvements, development, and new opportunities. Significant investments, he said, had been made in airports, docks, roads, education, social programs, as well as providing opportunities for young people to live and work locally. “We’ve touched almost every settlement in one way or another… And what’s exciting about it is that the people within the communities are taking advantage of that,” he noted, adding that he would do as much as he could do, while he was in his position.
Energy Generation Capacity to Increase:
Discussing in further detail, ongoing projects and future initiatives, Sweeting commented, “…Continuing the progress started and seeing what we can complete in the first year is important.”
He touched on electricity – a sore point throughout the island, in light of the frequent power outages currently being experienced across Eleuthera, with both generation operation and capacity, as well as transmission and distribution issues often cited by local Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) teams. “Energy, is something that’s very important to the people throughout the country, especially in Central and South Eleuthera. The solar array farm and LNG plant would be completed by December of this year, according to the contractors. And hopefully we will see generation start by the beginning of 2027. So you’ll see a large array of solar and LNG – able to provide and supply the increased demand for electricity,” he shared.
The additional generation, he qualified, should alleviate both current demand crunches and ‘some long-term need’, paired with the continued upgrade of the island’s transmission and distribution network. Sweeting also expressed that the pace of growth on the island would play a role in how quickly the solar and LNG facility may have to be further expanded.
Road Works Continue and Expand:
Commenting on the road works project, Sweeting shared that approximately 55 of the 163 miles contracted to be asphalted, had been paved to-date, with the work continuing. Challenges, he said, with global supply chain issues were affecting access to materials, like bitumen, causing delays – however, he emphasized that contract costs remain fixed – adding that the installation of water mains in critical areas, also continued as part of the road works.
With contracts recently signed, he also revealed that new road works would soon commence in North Eleuthera, saying, “You’ll see areas such as The Bluff, Lower Bogue, and Upper Bogue get a facelift in regards to asphalt roads and that part of North Eleuthera. So, the work continues.”
Active Works At Three Airports, Growing Pains Expected:
Turning to airports, Minister Sweeting informed that works to fully complete the upgrade of the Governor’s Harbour airport were moving forward, with runway paving slated during the month of October. “The airport will be closed for a few weeks, possibly a month, and the runway will have a brand new asphalt surface for aircraft to land on.”
At the Rock Sound airport, he said, “The runway has started to take shape and the work has started there. The asphalt plant is on the ground. That runway should be completed within the first year. We will also see work on the terminal there in Rock Sound commence and that should possibly be an 18 month to 2 year project.”
Vertical construction is now underway at the new airport site in North Eleuthera, noted Sweeting, adding that a completion timeline of 18 months to two years, was expected. He commented that the planned temporary closure of the airport in Governor’s Harbour would require rerouting of flights between North Eleuthera and Rock Sound. “Some of that might be a little bit painful, in a way, for the sake of persons who have to drive one way or the other,” he acknowledged.
New Dock Projects:
Updating on work happening at docks throughout the island, Minister Sweeting confirmed that both the Tarpum Bay dock, and the Palmetto Point dock were nearing completion. Harbour Island dock work, he said, was slated to commence in September. Contractors, he added, had recently met with town council members to discuss traffic management, and communication with the community, as different issues were anticipated. “There will be some growing pains for probably a few months while they sheet pile and manage that component of the dock, because it is quite busy,” said Sweeting.
The new public dock in Spanish Wells is now complete, said the minister, and new works were also expected to take place at Gene’s Bay. “We’re looking at a new dock in Gene’s Bay. The plans have been completed on that and the Commonage Committee in Spanish Wells support. So, we hope to tender that shortly to get that dock moving there at Gene’s Bay to help to alleviate some of the parking pressure there for people who traverse back and forth from the island… The new dock would have 120 parking spaces and that would help to facilitate the growing economy in North Eleuthera and Spanish Wells,” he said.
A wooden dock in Governor’s Harbour, facilitated by a public private partnership was also in the pipeline, said Mr. Sweeting, to accommodate boaters, with docking and accessing and moving around the community, as well as during events like the Cupid’s Cay Regatta.
Healthcare Moving Forward:
As the healthcare facility in Palmetto Point continues to move forward, he said he hoped to see it completed by the end of the year. “The Palmetto Point healthcare facility would be one that has all of the amenities, that is just short of a hospital. You have your surgical room, maternity ward, your dental room; you’d have your morgue and all of that there in Palmetto Point,” said Sweeting.
In Rock Sound, ground preparations for the new health facility there, said the minister, had already started, with contracts signed. He described the Rock Sound facility as an up-to-date clinic, saying, “It wouldn’t have the surgical ward, however, it would have all the other amenities needed to be an up-to-date healthcare facility, inclusive of a morgue, which would help to service the South… At Rock Sound, once construction starts, that’s an 18-month project from the start of construction.”
Glass Window Bridge Plans:
Describing the process of advancing the plans for the Glass Window Bridge to where they currently stand, Mr. Sweeting shared, “We went through a rigorous process that took us about two years to get engineered designs, to get the complete technical studies, to get proper pricing, and to allocate funding. During that process we also did a bidding process where contractors had to go through a rigorous process of being eligible to bid on this project… You had to have social components and you had to show that you were able to do the work. You also had to be in compliance to ensure that you complied with UKEF funding standards, which is United Kingdom Export Finance, which we are utilizing for the Glass Window bridge… All of that has been completed. We haven’t signed a contract, but the contractor has been selected. And once the funding and the contractor has completed the due diligence with the bank, then we’ll sign a contract and we’ll move towards construction.” Once construction begins, the project is expected to be completed in approximately 30 months, contingent on funding ‘moving on time’, said the minister.
Outlining some of the features of the new bridge, Sweeting, said, “It is an elevated bridge that would be pillared and come over on the ‘Caribbean’ [Bight of Eleuthera] side. And it would be elevated to ensure that we shouldn’t have any days where persons can’t cross a bridge for sake of bad weather. A component of the bridge too would be that we would have an area that would be a cultural area. We brag about the Glass Window bridge being a location where people could see one of the wonders of the world. We’ll have a cultural center where people could sell their straw work, along with restaurants and different things.”
The dock in Hatchet Bay, having been identified as the closest hub, would also see upgrades done as a result of the bridge project, added the minister, as it would serve as the transshipment point for all of the equipment and material used in the project, and where freight would be offloaded.
Foreign Direct Investment in the Pipeline:
Commenting on Foreign Direct Investment proposals that could be seen taking shape during the next year, Sweeting shared, “When we look at foreign direct investment, you’ll see within the next year… a few projects that should come off the ground, once these projects are in tune with the support of the local community.” He pointed to the Myles Ahead proposal with its project located at the old Club Med site in Governor’s Harbour, saying the recent town meeting seemed to have gone well. The billion dollar North Windermere mega development was also highlighted as a project that could be seen going forward.
Education Efforts:
Asked about the government’s plan to tackle the aging physical plant at a number of schools on the island, Minister Sweeting said that all schools were on the receiving end of the summer repair program. He added that there was always more work to be done, however, he described the works being done at two high schools – Central Eleuthera High School (CEHS), and Preston H. Albury High School (PHAHS), as extensive. “And we’re looking at speaking with the Ministry of Education… if they can find extra funding to correct other measures, especially those two schools that need extensive work,” he said.
Sweeting also recalled the announcement he made in June of this year, that he would be outfitting both CEHS and PHAHS with ‘smart classrooms’ – with technology integrated within the space. “We’ve already ordered some of the computers and then we’re going to order… smart boards and other components. Technicians, he added, were expected to visit each of the schools during August to make assessments ahead of the smart classroom installations.
The state-of-the-art track facility at PHAHS was also on target to be completed early in the new school year, shared Sweeting, “The concession stands are almost completed as well as the bathrooms. All of the work there should be completed by September, so we could open the track, which would increase sports tourism to the community.”
Community Center in Planning; Cultivation Center Nearing Completion:
While on the topic of community, Minister Sweeting shared that a centrally located community center, to facilitate community events, and to have a two-fold use as a hurricane shelter was currently in the planning stage. Architectural plans and renderings for the building were being worked on to share with the community, and a location for the center (utilizing crown land) was also under consideration, he said.
Touching on the Cultivation Center under construction in Hatchet Bay, Sweeting described it as ‘almost to completion’, and said the facility was set to enhance the agricultural sector on the island. “The food kitchen and the other production pieces of equipment should be installed in the next few months and then hopefully we can have an opening by end of this year. That would be a facility that could be utilized for all farmers who want to add value to their produce, and hopefully help to increase production.”
FUTURE INITIATIVES:
Land Reform
Access to land for Bahamians is a priority for the government, said Mr. Sweeting, “There has been a challenge with especially generational property and Bahamians not having access to land, as well as land that the government could provide through crown land… The Ministry of Housing and Land Use policy is one of the top agendas for this administration to find ways to provide Bahamians with access to land.” The Ministry of Housing’s land in the Rock Sound area, he explained, is where they were starting in Eleuthera – to provide access to Bahamians who wanted to build homes, or purchase lots, and access property. “There’s a lot of crown land on the island and I think that land is wealth. In order to help facilitate some of that for the people of Eleuthera, finding ways to provide Bahamians and Eleutherans with access to land is one of the key components to ensuring that Bahamians help to develop their own destiny.”
Lots in Rock Sound, he said, had already been subdivided, and what remained was for the government to provide water infrastructure, and then access to the property there. “We’ve already met with the Minister of Housing. We’ve already looked at the development plan for that area. We’re getting quotes on providing infrastructure there and then hopefully we can get it moving fairly quickly.”
Two other areas in Central and South Eleuthera where ‘land access’ had been discussed during his first term in office – Governor’s Harbour, and Hatchet Bay – he commented on, saying, “Governor’s Harbour is treasury land. Once we investigated, we realized it wasn’t crown, it was treasury, which is a different process altogether, on how we would access that to develop it… The land in Hatchet Bay – we got Cabinet approval to receive some land there. We’re working along with the Ministry of Housing to look at the best way to develop it, whether it would be through a committee, whether it be through the Office of the Prime Minister – to figure out the best way to ensure that it’s done properly. So, the people of Hatchet Bay have access to the land, after which then it would be provided to the community as a whole.”
Heritage Sites
The many heritage sites scattered along the length of the island, said Minister Sweeting, were opportunities waiting to be taken on by young Bahamians. “We have numerous heritage sites throughout the island… Preacher’s Cave, you have Queen’s Baths, you have Glass Window bridge, the Ocean Hole, the Boiling Hole, and many others… I think these would be a good opportunity for young Bahamians to work along with the government to create public/private partnerships (PPP’s) to monetize them. Where the areas are kept clean, kept tidy, they’re improved, the infrastructure on them is improved… You would want people in the community to be a part of reorganizing how we look at cultural sites and heritage sites… It’s hard to find enough money to really facilitate the upkeep of these sites. So, it would be a partnership with the government and private sector individuals, where we would hope that proposals come along, where the government could work along with persons to build out these sites… You want a top notch destination product, and you want people in the community to be a part of the transformation, who can make money from it as well.”
Garbage Everywhere
“Garbage is a big challenge right now,” Minister Sweeting acknowledged, when asked about whether there was a plan to address the ever-burgeoning issue.
He described what had been done to tackle the challenge in New Providence, and said a similar approach could be taken in Eleuthera. “In New Providence… they had big challenges with the landfill and there was a PPP done, where they partially privatized part of it. I think this is an opportunity here as well… The government subsidizes collection as well as the dump sites. They’re not landfills, but dump sites. We have looked at structuring some eco-friendly solutions with incinerators and things of that sort, and keeping clean sites. But, my view is that there can be a partnership. Because you can make money in garbage as well.”
Sweeting opined that a different approach should be taken, saying, “I think that we need to open our eyes to how we do business and new ways of doing things in our country. This can be an opportunity for that too. We have already met with the Ministry of Environment on ways to revamp the major sites. But we’re still in discussions with them on how we would do that and whether a PPP structure would be the right avenue… But things as simple as collection [of garbage] is becoming challenging because the communities are growing so large and the funding isn’t there by local government to fund the collection. So, this would have to be an overhaul and it’s not an overnight fix… It’s something that’s challenging and that needs to be addressed one way or another… Once we get a full assessment [from the Ministry of Environment] on that, then we will be able to move forward in the most opportune and healthy way.”
Open Communication
Minister Sweeting asserted that the issues discussed were his commitments for the next five years, and that he was ‘working assiduously’ to address them. He also emphasized open communication lines, saying, “We’ll continue to stay in touch with the community. We have a full-fledged office open at Palmetto Point, along with a mobile van. So we have two points of contact now. We have a full staff complement and we’re also digitizing the way that we do business within the constituency office. So, we’ll launch a website within the next three to four weeks that will be the one-stop-shop for whatever you need in the constituency, whatever you want to report, it’ll be there. So my team could assess it, to help to facilitate quicker solutions.
