The ‘waterboy’ delivers to Eleuthera after Davis comments

More than a week since Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard hit back at Prime Minister Philip Davis for calling him a “waterboy” for the Grand Bahama Port Authority, he headed to Eleuthera to deliver water to residents suffering from the supply disruption on the island that has further exacerbated in recent months.

When he was labeled as such, Pintard responded in a press conference last week, “The only people I’m carrying water for are the folks in Eleuthera who can’t get water from this government,” referencing the vexing issue on the island.

On Friday morning, he was seen in Eleuthera loading a water truck with cases of water and delivering them to residents.

“I’m spending my Friday morning in Governor’s Harbour where inconsistent utilities are still plaguing residents…We’ve brought with us an additional 30 pallets of water with more on the way,” he said.

“We’ve also purchased water from local suppliers.”

Residents have protested the water problem, expressing difficulty with taking showers and flushing toilets because the supply is off for many hours, raising hygienic concerns.

The government has a contract with Aqua Design Bahamas Limited, its main water supplier on the island, but has said it faced “recent equipment failure at the reverse osmosis desalination plant and the subsequent delays in repairs are indicative of a significant lapse in service delivery.”

Central and South Eleuthera MP Clay Sweeting said in June that “the level of service provided by Aqua Design Bahamas Limited is unacceptable and does not meet the standards we expect in the Bahamas,” Sweeting said in a statement.

“The government will thoroughly revisit the contractual arrangements with Aqua Design Bahamas Limited.

“If the current arrangement proves inadequate to meet the needs of our people, we will take the necessary steps to seek alternative solutions that ensure consistent and reliable water services.”