Bahamas moving to upgrade transport infrastructure

The Bahamas works and urban development ministry recently published a tender for the development of an infrastructure master plan for Cat Island, part of a wider transport sector enhancement project.

BNamericas spoke to the ministry's project coordinator, Dion Munroe, about the scope of the program and the infrastructure challenges facing the country.

BNamericas: What are the objectives of the transport sector enhancement program?

Munroe: There are a number of projects under a US$10.1mn loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank, which aim to fix up the infrastructure on the islands. We have projects in Andros Island, Exuma Island and Eleuthera Island right now. The scope is unlimited but relates to all infrastructure required for the movement of goods and people. The loan agreement was approved in 2010 and the financing agreement was extended until 2015 for the identification of new projects. 

BNamericas: What is the current state of infrastructure on these islands?

Munroe: The Bahamas is an archipelago of islands and some of these islands are less developed than others. The Caribbean Development Bank has offered to assist us in developing some of these islands - developing essential needs to make sure that goods and people can be transported from a settlement to the airport or to the dock areas. An important part of this project is improving logistics. It's a mixed bag that includes building commercial cargo docks and bridges. Outside of the project, the government is working on airport improvements. 

BNamericas: What do the airport works consist of?

Munroe: We're trying to get our airports compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization code.  We have a number of airports in the country that need to be brought up to standard, and so the airport projects are perhaps some of the most important. We have over 31 airports in the country, which represents at least one airport per island. Upgrade works would include improvements to the safety of the runways, capacity increases and improving terminal buildings. 

BNamericas: Which specific port projects are you working on?

Munroe: We are doing a feasibility study for construction of a commercial port to serve both the local and international markets on Exuma Island. The study being conducted by WorleyParsons should be completed within the next 6 to 8 months and is costing between US$500,000 and US$600,000. One of the options being considered is to concession the port to a private company. 

BNamericas: What are the main obstacles to infrastructure development in Bahamas?

Munroe: For the most part, it's the money. Our population is very small and spread out across the islands. Everybody needs the basic necessities and so we have to duplicate infrastructure, as is the case with a large number of airports. 

BNamericas: How open is the government to foreign investment?

Munroe: Our government attracts a lot of foreign direct investment. The government has experience dealing with concessions and there are a lot of opportunities for foreign investors. The government wants to move strongly into that area.