Posted by Kimberly on October 26, 2001 at 19:03:26:
Interesting discussion also focuses on Harbour Island, Bimini:
New unit to review easing traffic gridlock in NP, Family Islands
Released Friday, October 26, 2001 at 09:59 am EST by Lindsay Thompson
By Bahamas Information Services
A new transportational policy and planning unit in the Ministry of Transport will address "the problem of
increased automobile ownership" on New Providence, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) country
representative for The Bahamas, Frank J. Maresca, said on Monday.
"Any kind of policy, looking toward the long term, needs to take into account the fact of vehicular ownership in
this country, and New Providence in particular," said Maresca.
But Minister of Finance Sir William Allen said the government "has no plan at the moment for restricting
ownership of vehicles."
Sir William and Maresca were answering questions from the media following the signing of a $46.2-million loan
from the IDB on Monday.
"This loan of $46.2 million, together with the $19.8 million of government counterpart funding," said Sir William,
"will be utilised to finance an ambitious transportation development undertaking designed to address the traffic
congestion problem on the island of New Providence."
Maresca said the New Providence transportational programme will result in the creation of a transportational
policy and planning unit in the Ministry of Transport.
"Among the responsibilities of the new unit will be the development of a long-term strategy to deal with the
problem of increased automobile ownership," said Maresca.
He said his reference to automobile ownership "had to do with the fact that the transportation unit would be
looking at a wide range of issues, including the question which stems from the number of vehicles in a country."
Maresca added: "So any kind of policy that looks toward the future in terms of looking at where (the) Bahamas
ought to go in managing down the road its transportation policy, would obviously have to take into account
vehicle ownership.
"It was in that context which we had discussions with the government on setting up the unit, not to curb or curtail.
Government will have to make whatever policies it decides to do with regard to that.
"But, nonetheless, any kind of policy, looking toward the long term, needs to take into account the fact of
vehicular ownership in this country and New Providence in particular."
Sir William said the studies being undertaken as a part of this programme "would have to address (automobile
ownership) as an issue, and at that time the government will take the appropriate policy decision."
He added: "So, that would be something going out of the work now being done whether government should
address such a policy and how such a policy ought to be addressed."
Minister of Public Works Kenneth Russell said all efforts are being
taken not to repeat in the Family Islands the same traffic problems that are in New Providence.
"Simply because of the fact that these islands are not developed yet would give us that opportunity to make sure
that what is happening in New Providence is not happening there," he said.
Noting that there used to be an automobile policy in Bimini, the minister said, "The smaller islands have to be
revisited by the Departments of Transport and Road Traffic, and (we have to) look at those issues now especially
in places like Bimini and Harbour Island - smaller islands that have a of peopleÉ
"I don't know to what extent that is being done at this time, but I am sure that with the new transportation
committee, all of those things would be looked at and renewed, and (there would be) recommendations coming
forward to the government as to what should be done to make sure that these things do not
happen on those other islands."
Maresca said the IDB is interested in contributing to the economic and social development of The Bahamas not
only in good times, "but, perhaps even more importantly, when the future is less certain."
He said, "When you need support the most, we will work to the best of our abilities to provide rapid responses to
meet the challenges of changing circumstances.
"Please be assured of our continued commitment to the long-term economic and social development of The
Bahamas."
Although the loan was only then being executed, the project has been underway for several months.
"Up to this time," said Sir William, "the more than $11 million which has been expended for its mobilisation and
construction to date has been funded entirely by the government. I wish to record again our gratitude to the IDB
for its continued support of our development efforts."