Deputy PM contradicts Miller over power supply

Official Opposition Leader Philip 'Brave' Davis.

As of Thursday, April 30, 2015

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Works Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday contradicted Bahamas Electricity Corporation Executive Chairman Leslie Miller who has insisted that the power supply needed for the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federation World Relays at the National Stadium would plunge the remainder of the island into darkness this weekend.

However, Mr Davis who has BEC in his portfolio, disagreed with Mr Miller saying the two-day relays will not affect the electricity supply to thousands of customers on the island.

The relays will be held on May 2-3. Scores of athletes have already arrived in the capital in preparation for what is said to be the largest sporting event to ever be held in the country. Last year was the first time The Bahamas hosted the event.

The conflicting statements came after thousands of residents were left without power, some for more than five hours on Monday after engine failures at both the Blue Hills and Clifton Pier stations.

The power cuts also continued intermittently on Tuesday.

“First of all, the historic challenges in terms of generation plans at Clifton and Blue Hills has caught up with us and we are now trying to address that as quickly as we can, and the load shedding is occurring now is as a result of that fact,” Mr Davis told reporters outside the House of Assembly.

“The IAAF relays on this weekend will not in any way compromise the services to the whole island as is planned. Hopefully if all things go well, we will be able to not have to load shed as widespread as we have been doing.”

On Tuesday, Mr Miller told a reporter that there would likely be power cuts across New Providence to provide the needed electricity for the relays and avoid “embarrassment”.

He said the corporation would do what it takes to ensure that the load shedding exercises, that he has warned could stretch into next week, does not affect the relays.

Mr Miller has told The Tribune that BEC is asking consumers to bear with them during this “very serious crisis”.

He was also quoted during an NB12 interview on Tuesday night that some homes would have to go without power to ensure the World Relays event at the weekend would have electricity, saying: “We cannot have an embarrassment with an international event of this calibre”.

A statement released by BEC on Tuesday said temporary generator units supplied by Aggreko, an international company, should be installed and operational within the next four weeks. An initial five megawatts of Aggreko temporary units should be on island within the next few days, the statement added.

BEC has maintained the power grid is strained because of unusually high temperatures this month, leading people to use more electricity.

Officials said Monday’s power cuts began after an electrical fault developed on its transmission system.

BEC said an investigation is underway to correct the problems that caused the transmission fault.

Tommy77 8 years, 12 months ago

It never ends!http://s04.flagcounter.com/mini/kfoW/..." style="display:none" />http://s05.flagcounter.com/mini/WUu/b..." style="display:none" />

Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 12 months ago

This pathological liar with the short stubby grubby dirty sticky fingers would like to think most Bahamians would believe any dribble he chooses to pour over them. What an embarrassing pudgy corrupt contemptible scrub we have as DPM!

TruthHurts 8 years, 12 months ago

...and I'd like to add.. a walking contradiction within himself! He's has done this before speaking out and creating further confusion. Why is it so hard to call Leslie up and discuss facts, before either one of them speaks? He even spoke out basically against the auditor and added to the fire when he was lambasted for what the results exposed; basically doing his job. This 'dred' wants to be PM (DA BOSS) badly.. and I wont let him! Him neither Minnis will ever see the light of day in that position. Don't want either of them representing me. This is far as I'll let him go. Too Crooked!~

GrassRoot 8 years, 12 months ago

two comments: 1. Good to know that the DPM is alive, I was really worried not to have heard from him. 2. We will soon know who the winner is. DPM or Miller? Any bets?

themessenger 8 years, 12 months ago

That will be a photo finish Grassroot as both of them are past masters at speaking out of both sides of their mouths, when they can get their feet out of them that is.

B_I_D___ 8 years, 12 months ago

I gonna run round to the numba's man and put my money on da potcake!!

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 12 months ago

Island wide blackout. They will do everything to prove no causal effect. In every way they lack depth, they are all about "looks"

TruthHurts 8 years, 12 months ago

I know right?! Lay the cards on the table and be 'real' with the public! At least we know where we are as far as the power situation once and for all!! No one has time for 'smoke and mirrors' and other tricks.. that time has passed!. ; (

duppyVAT 8 years, 12 months ago

BEC problem has nothing to do with Brave or Potcake ............. it has to do with diesel, plant maintenance, corporate management and union influence. This BEC implosion has been going on for at least a decade now

GrassRoot 8 years, 11 months ago

well it does, depends whats first the chicken or the egg. Had DPM made decisions or pushed decision on BEC early on in the PLP reign, we would be in a much better position.

banker 8 years, 12 months ago

What the Jamaican-loving deputy prime minister means, is that the IAAF relays will not be the cause of the blackouts during the weekend. Yes there will be blackouts, but not the kind caused by the IAAF relays. They will be one of the other kinds where the current leaks out of da wire inta a Rubis pipe into the ground, causing a shortage of electricity, but don't worry. It een dangerous like gasoline in yer well. It just adds a healthy glow to your skin.

There is no way that the IAAF relays, according to the unda-gal-pickney aficionado could cause those black-outs because Usain Bolt bring his own electricity and besides, dems lights at da stadium pretty much run on jest a trickle. Any blackouts will be those other kinds that are currently caused by journalists going to hell who criticise the PLP and by island administrators who dare disobey cabinet ministers. There is a big difference between the current used to power the stadium and the current that supplies the regular folks and the stadium lights and the biossficationcerassee transformers keep the two kinds separate. So no, worries. Da potcake een technicalmicated like da Brave one is and doan know what he's talkin' bout. All good. If you need some light on the weekend, jest dig up some ground at the old Cable Bahamas place, put it in an old coffee can, and light the dirt. It will burn for hours casting a bright light.

duppyVAT 8 years, 11 months ago

Jamaican-loving DPM ???????? He look like an African voodoo priest ......... or you mean he get a Jamaican maid to warm his bed???????????

TruthHurts 8 years, 11 months ago

LMAO!!!!

TruthHurts 8 years, 11 months ago

"All good. If you need some light on the weekend, jest dig up some ground at the old Cable Bahamas place, put it in an old coffee can, and light the dirt. It will burn for hours casting a bright light."

OMG..!!!!

Banker you are sure on it!! Laughed so much my stomach still hurting me! ; )

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