Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) called on the Government to address the sewerage flow into sea at Slaney, which he said is destroying the ecosystem of Sea Cow's Bay. Photo: VINO/File

Hon Fraser called the sewerage situation at Slaney a national disgrace and blamed the current National Democratic Party (NDP) government. Photo: VINO/File

Raw sewage floating near the shore in Road Town. Photo: VINO/File

“We have to stop destroying the eco-system in Sea Cows Bay. All that is taking place downstream from that outfall is a national disgrace…it is a tragedy,” he said.

He was speaking today March 19, 2015 during the Fourth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Second House of Assembly. Members of the House was at the time discussing the Schedule of Additional Provision (SAP).

“Where are we going with this national sewerage programme? Our administration (VIP) borrowed fifteen million dollars to put into this programme. The fifteen million evaporated into thin air. Even the Minister for Communications and Works was asking for it, he didn’t find it in the Ministry…it went to the Hospital,” said Honourable Fraser.

He pointed to a time back in 1982 when he stood up on a rostrum and spoke of the dangers of the raw sewage being poured into the water. “1982 to now and it is still happening and it is happening all in the name of politics,” he said.

“That’s why Madam Speaker when I go out and they offering me conch I don’t eat it…because I know what conchs do. Shellfish I ain’t eating [unless I go to Belize or somewhere],” he said.

He called on the Government to stop the talk and fix the problem since this is what the people want.

Speaking of the tendency of the NDP not to continue whatever the VIP has initiated, Honourable Fraser said that he was the one in the late stages of the 2003 to 2007 administration who hired the company Berger CBE to work on the East End/Long Look and Road Town sewerage projects. 

“This is another classic example of the harbour project I was talking about. We were replaced by another administration. And that administration came in had a right about turn, got rid of Berger CBE, brought in their own [company]…the project was moving. Our administration came in in 2007, we [got back Berger CBE] and the project was moving. In 2011 we were replaced again. This other administration came in, got rid of Berger CBE,” he said.

Humble yourself & try to serve the people

“As much as we wish and as much as we hope, some things still remain the same. Why can’t we all get along in the best interest of the country? All some people do is try to outdo somebody else. If the Government would only try to understand that they are working in the best interest of the people,” he said.

Hon Fraser noted that had the NDP Government continued with the Peebles Hospital which they met when they took office in 2003, it would have been finished four years ago. “Instead of going and reinventing it, just continue the thing…finish it. This country would have been so much further ahead…Government is supposed to be this great continuum, and that’s what we were thought. But as soon as they get on the other side, zippo!” he said.

He said Government, instead of trying to be the first to do everything, should “humble yourself and try to serve the people.”