Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week, Works Minister Kye Rymer noted that Cane Garden Bay is a hub for regional and international visitors.

The minister said he is aware of the challenges the community has faced with sewerage and it was critical that a remedy was sought for the problem.

“In this light, the Ministry of Communications & Works in 2019 embarked on a two-phase tender for the design and building of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant to replace the existing plant that was operating, but not functioning at optimal capacity, to serve the need of this community.

Phase two was also a tender for the replacement and installation of new gravity and pumping lines, lift stations and backup generator, Rymer said.

“Sewerage collection management and treatment is an underlining problem, not just here in Cane Garden Bay, but all throughout our islands. Dilapidated infrastructure, ageing pipelines, and a growing population that add stress to the systems are all key reasons why it is important and imperative to modernise our sewerage network,” he added.

Rymer also recognised the role the former Premier, Andrew Fahie played in the completion of the works by making the funds available for the project.

“Yes, we can plan, but without the funds, we cannot execute, and I thank the Minister of Finance and the ministry for the funds required, although we may not always get all that we need,” he said.

The Works Minister said the total cost of the project was 1,799,515.15. It included the design and build of a 400 cubic meter-per-day maximum capacity wastewater treatment plant which is said to have exponentially exceeded the maximum capacity of the old plant.

“What that means simply is that we can take more effluent into our system and treat it to international standards. Therefore, as the Cane Garden Bay community grows commercial and residentially, our system will be able to handle any additional sewerage required,” Rymer explained.

The Minister said his government was pleased with the outcome of the project. He thanked Toshiba Water Solutions America Inc. for the production of what he described as an excellent Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“I want to thank the team, and thank them for their excellence in producing this state-of-the-art Waste Water Treatment Plant. I also want to thank them for their patience as well. We started this tender process in 2019 and concluded in 2020 and then the contract was awarded,” Rymer said.

“As everyone knows, COVID-19 came as a worldwide epidemic in 2020 with multiple lockdowns and shutdowns. We were finally able to conclude the actual contract in 2020, but we were delayed again in 2021 for another six to eight months in putting everything in order, which included shipping of material, bringing in personnel and the logistics that came with functioning in the COVID-19 environment,” Rymer said.

He explained that the contractor started on the ground in August of last year and completed the work in May.

“I am happy that we were able to work with them and come to convenient terms as it related to all the logistics and financial implications that all the delays caused, and I am pleased that we were able to work out a financially agreeable arrangement,” Rymer said.

“I also want to make mention, of our local sub-contractor, Mr Rufred Forbes and his son and his team in providing local assistance to Toshiba Water Solutions America Inc. in conducting the civil works. We are always happy when international companies can partner with the local contractors in undertaking substantial developments in our territory,” he added.