The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

IN assuring residents that over $1m in outstanding bills had been paid to the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) to have electricity supply restored at all government schools Dr Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama, yesterday described this week’s disconnection as “a bit drastic and unnecessary”.

Dr Darville indicated that power was to be reconnected yesterday and by no later than Monday. Most of the schools were still without power around noon, with the exception of one in West Grand Bahama.

“There was an outstanding bill that we were in the process of sorting out, but we were in the midst of the old budget going into the new budget, but unfortunately the lights were turned off - it is not a good thing,” he said. “But today the Ministry of Finance has moved swiftly to sort the outstanding bill with the GBPC, and I am confident that later on today, but no later than by Monday, the lights at schools will be back on so we can move swiftly for the necessary school repairs,” he said.

Power was disconnected at 18 public schools in Grand Bahama on Wednesday. During National Report Card Day on Thursday, teachers went outdoors to give out report cards due to the extreme heat inside.

One parent at Hugh Campbell Primary School said they were unable to receive the book list as a result of the power being off.

In an effort to prevent a repeat, Dr Darville has indicated that in the 2014/2015 Budget, electricity and utilities will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Grand Bahama.

“That is the reason for part of the increase in my Budget, so that I can properly monitor and make sure that these bills are paid on time and in the right fashion, and to be in close contact with the GBPC to discuss the needs of energy as it relates to our public facilities, such as the hospital, schools and various government departments, and all of the administration complexes and facilities throughout GB,” he said.

“It is not a new problem and has been happening for many years, he said. It is just unfortunate that we are just in the final stage of the budget, and there was a cut-off point and we were trying to get the Power Company to give us a few more days.”

Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald also expressed his displeasure with the Power Company. Speaking at the BTVI graduation in Freeport yesterday, he told reporters that it was very unfortunate that a company doing business in the Bahamas would want to have a strained relationship with the government.

“I found the position they took to be a rather serious one, he said. But I guess that is their position and we have to understand that and just have to accept that moving forth we will have strained relationships with them. And so unfortunately that’s the way that it is.”