Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham called it “the most ambitious transformation and modernisation programme ever in Bahamian history”.
Admitting that he is “painfully aware” of the disruptions it may cause, Mr Ingraham said his administration’s ambition to “transform” and “modernise” New Providence was critically essential.
In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister revealed that downtown Nassau road improvements were almost undertaken in 2009, as the government was preparing for the Miss Universe competition. The much-needed work had to be put on hold because it could not be completed in time.
“It is critically essential for major water, and sewerage work to be undertaken on Bay Street from Nassau Court to Mackey Street and a number of side streets,” Mr Ingraham told the nation. “These works can no longer be postponed.”
The PM said when the works are completed, Nassau will be one of the most modern, efficient and cleanest capital cities in the Caribbean.
He said work will occur during the night between the hours of 7:00pm and 5:00am, and only on Sunday through Thursday, in order to minimize traffic disruptions on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mr Ingraham asked for the nation to be patient as the works are carried out.
“The works will require certain road deviations from time to time, and I ask once again for your patience and forbearance as we seek to modernize our capital city”, Mr Ingraham said.
“At the completion of each day’s schedule the necessary upgrades, backfilling, reinstatement and cleanup of the road will be undertaken.”
Mr Ingraham’s FNM government has been criticised in the past for many of the changes they are making to the island. There were numerous complaints regarding the improvements to Saunder’s Beach, which is fast becoming one of the nicest public areas on the island. The construction of the new container port at Arawak Cay has also been heavily criticised, particularily by the opposition PLP. The government’s New Providence Road Improvement Project has also been the focus of negative press and even court action.
Mr Ingraham defended his party’s actions last evening, saying the alternative to the temporary disruptions would have been to not undertake the work at all, allowing the island’s infrastructure to decay even further. He said ignoring the need for infrastructural improvements would choke economic growth, create even more societal problems and condemn the Bahamian people to a life of sub-standard public amenities.
“A responsible government could not continue to follow the path of least resistance, delay and procrastination. We had to act, and act now to secure a better future for ourselves and our children,” Mr Ingraham said.
