The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas has appealed for concessionary loans to boost infrastructure development of disadvantaged Family Islands during bilateral meetings with the Japanese government.

High Commissioner to CARICOM Picewell Forbes explained that the government hoped to access funding opportunities previously unavailable to the archipelagic nation because it superseded income-based determinants.

He added that the need for technical co-operation to mitigate the effect of climate change and coastal erosion was also a major concern.

“The income-based determinant has been working against the Bahamas,” he said, “when you consider the fact that we have 28 inhabited islands and people still only consider Nassau and Freeport generally. I represent a very challenged community in one of the least developed areas in South Andros. I’m very cognisant of the challenges that we face especially with infrastructure improvement. Our docks, and our ports, and our bridges and hospitals and clinics as a whole, need improvement. So for us it’s important, and also sporting facilities.”

Mr Forbes spoke with The Tribune following the ministerial-level meeting, and subsequent independent bilateral meeting, that took place in Tokyo on Saturday.

Discussions focused on climate change and disaster risk reduction; however, officials also worked to strengthen partnerships on several international issues ahead of critical United Nations’ meetings next year.

Officials forecast that technical training for experts in the Bahamas may begin next year following field surveys to assess energy efficiency and the capacity for renewable energy.

However, Mr Forbes said reform in the energy sector hinges on the government’s decision on the proposed restructuring of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation. He said the decision should be announced when parliament reconvenes on November 19.

“Funding is a major concern for us,” he said. “The interest rate that we are paying back on a number of loans has been a major concern for us. I would have spoken to (Finance) Minister Michael Halkitis and interest payments for example have been hurting us and when we look forward to do other things we can’t because we’ve just been making interest payments over the years,” he said.

“Look at the road improvements in Nassau – but that’s only Nassau – look at the roads in Andros. Now south Andros is falling into disrepair, also the harbour needs dredging.

“We have asked for concessionary loans, and we have asked also, as Prime Minister Abe is going to the G20 summit, for Japan to be an advocate and also to empathise with us when we look at the regulatory regime especially with financial matters. We have been challenged with that the strict policies have hurt places like the Bahamas, maybe not directly but the challenges have been there.”

The Bahamas has not received Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) since 1997, and total assistance in grants and technical co-operation is less than US$500,000 – approximately 52,000,000 yen.

The country receives the least ODA among CARICOM member states from Japan.

Mr Forbes said: “Climate change and coastal erosion are also major concerns for us and we have seen what has happened around New Providence, and now the Family Islands are in the same state.

“The drains and bights’ waters are now changing to become more brackish and people are asking for levies and runoffs to be developed in the Family Islands,” he said, “which you never even thought about hearing years ago but this is real.“

He added: “Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Works Philip Davis has been trying to find monies that we just don’t have, so hopefully we have an empathetic ear and a sympathetic ear.”