Landfill Partnership Proves Fruitful

Press Statement Hon. Kenred Dorsett M.P. Minister of the Environment and Housing June 19th, 2014 RE: Landfill Public-Private Partnership Proves Fruitful The public-private partnership between the government of The Bahamas and Renew Bahamas has already proven to be a good decision. Contrary to media reports the company is well equipped to take on the task with which they have been charged. Renew Bahamas agreed to an earlier transition (interim take-over) than was initially agreed and based on that the government is still responsible for the provision of certain necessities associated with the landfill such as fuel. Up to yesterday the funding for fuel had not been provided thus the needed heavy equipment used for clearing, covering and maintaining the landfill were not operational. We are currently addressing this issue with the Ministry of Finance.

One specific example of the advantage of this partnership is the fact that the government of The Bahamas has spent approximately $600,000 this year for addressing and extinguishing various fires at the New Providence Landfill. Since Renew Bahamas has taken management of the Landfill two fires have occurred which were extinguished in a swifter fashion and at zero expense to the government.

Another advantage is the enhanced security that Renew has provided at the landfill which the Government fully supports. It is understood that those who would have gained from the Landfill under its former management, such as scrappers, will have a difficulty with the new arrangement as it will directly affect their unauthorized activities at the New Providence Landfill.

Renew Bahamas will provide Landfill remediation and will also establish a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) which will benefit the Bahamian people. It should also be noted that we are still in the infancy phase of this management transition. The public is assured that the new arrangement at the New Providence Landfill is in the best interest of the country.

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