NEW PROVIDENCE – The construction industry in New Providence and several Family Islands is experiencing a “healthy” status.
Figures show a “whopping increase” in approved building permits in 2006 over the previous year.
In a communication to the House of Assembly on Wednesday, March 7, Minister of Works and Utilities, the Hon. Bradley Roberts said there were significant increases in building permit fees, approved housing units and building inspections.
He underscored the following:
• The value on approved building permits in New Providence for 2006 totaled some $661,056,818.45, a “whopping increase” of 44 per cent over the previous year.
• Building permit fees for New Providence also showed “significant increases” from $762,217 in 2005 to $1,131,873 in 2006, indicating a 48 per cent increase in building permit fees collected by the Ministry of Works and utilities.
• There was a marginal increase of 1.8 per cent totaling 2,847 units for the total number of housing units approved for 2006.
Minister Roberts emphasized that building inspections performed by the Building Control Division “showed much activity as a result of a burgeoning economy.”
He said, “Firstly, there was a 19 per cent increase in the number of buildings completed in 2006 totaling a value of $203,181,628.
“Secondly, a review of the records revealed that the number of construction starts for the year 2006 were up by some 27 per cent over the previous year requiring building inspectors to carry out some 1,261 inspections. The value of these structures totaled some $201,957,286, representing a 33 per cent increase over the previous year’s value.
“Thirdly, the Buildings Control Division’s records also showed that there were some 1,865 housing units completed during the year 2006 and the Housing Units starts in 2006 totaled 1,638, indicating a six per cent increase over the previous year.”
Minister Roberts told parliamentarians it was only about a year ago he discovered the building statistics that were being published by the Government of The Bahamas for many years “was only building on construction in New Providence.”
The Minister said he has since directed that statistics be compiled on construction for the entire Bahamas by island.
He emphasized that the “robust construction activity” is not limited to New Providence.
“Our statistics also show an increase in construction in the Family Islands,” he stated.
The Minister presented statistics on three Family Islands, namely, Eleuthera, Abaco, Exuma and Grand Bahama. These figures include:
• In Eleuthera there has been a 10.3 per cent increase over the previous
year in the Building Permit value, to the tune of $43,040,512.
• In Exuma the value of Building Permit approvals were over $48,261,283 and
in Abaco, approved Building Permit values were as high as $111,401,166.
“Finally on Building Permit Statistics,” said Minister Roberts, “contrary to the dismal reports of the downturn of the economy we continue to get from detractors, the island of Grand Bahama is not dead. Statistics have shown that in Freeport during the year 2006, there was a 73 per cent increase in approved Building Permits construction value over the previous year totaling $186,165,000.
“Additionally for the same period there were 345 construction starts with a construction value of $55,543,685. Three quarters of which were for residential development.”
He said the statistical information he shared “is not an empty promise not delivered, it is not shuffling, but a proud Junkanooer’s government bold and proud affirmation of getting the job done in an outstanding manner with a strong foundation been laid for the continuation for the next five years.”
