The Government of Barbados is refuting what it says are false and misleading claims in a recent newspaper calling for it to give more details on the outfall for the South Coast sewage system.
It states assertions regarding the cost of the temporary sewage outfall and the status of the proposed permanent outfall project are inaccurate and misleading.
The Government in a statement, sought to bring some clarity, noting the temporary sewage outfall was completed at a significantly lower cost than claimed.
It was revealed the total cost of the project was said to be 7.5 million Barbados dollars and not the inflated 84.6 million quoted in the article.
Government also clarified the loan application to the Caribbean Development Bank for a permanent South Coast Outfall Project was indeed approved in January 2020.
However, due to various factors, including the high cost of the initial bids, it decided to explore alternative solutions.
All efforts to pursue the CDB loan ceased later that year, and the bank was officially notified on October 2, 2020, to cancel the loan application.
The Government assured it remains committed to addressing the challenges posed by the South Coast sewage system and is actively exploring alternative solutions.
That full statement follows:
Barbados Government Refutes Misinformation Regarding South Coast Sewage Outfall Project
The Government of Barbados categorically refutes the false and misleading claims made by Mr. Kemar Stuart in his article, “Give more details on outfall for South Coast sewage system,” published in the Weekend Nation on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Mr. Stuart’s assertions regarding the cost of the temporary sewage outfall and the status of the proposed permanent outfall project are inaccurate and misleading.
Temporary Outfall Cost
The Government would like to clarify that the temporary sewage outfall was completed at a significantly lower cost than claimed by Mr. Stuart. The total cost of the project was BDS$7.5 million, a far cry from the inflated BDS$84.6 million quoted in the article.
Permanent Outfall Project
The Government wishes to clarify that the loan application to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for a permanent South Coast Outfall Project was indeed approved in January 2020. However, due to various factors, including the high cost of the initial bids, it decided to explore alternative solutions. Consequently, all efforts to pursue the CDB loan ceased later that year, and the CDB was officially notified on October 2, 2020, to cancel the loan application.
The Government remains committed to addressing the challenges posed by the South Coast sewage system and is actively exploring alternative solutions. The upgrade of the South Coast Treatment Plant to a Tertiary Reclaimed Water facility, in conjunction with other measures, will help to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of our wastewater infrastructure.
The public is urged to rely on official government sources for accurate information on such matters.
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