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Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 8TH 2006 - The Government of the Republic of Cuba has responded to a request from the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party administration to assist local residents in reducing their electricity bills.
Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin said Wednesday that his formal request to the Fidel Castro Government in Havana to donate energy-saving bulbs to St. Kitts, free of cost, has been positive and will also result in reducing the country's high energy bill.
"We approached them (Government of Cuba) with respect to assisting us with compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs are energy saving bulbs and they have decided to donate these bulbs to the poor and vulnerable groups in our society free of charge," said Dr. Martin in an exclusive interview with the Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Dr. Martin said a three-member delegation, which is comprised of Cuba's former Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, the General Manager/Engineer from the Cuban Electric Enterprise and a Social Worker, arrived here on Tuesday to assess the needs.
"They are interviewing and interacting with our Electricity Department and will also interview consumers, to see the amount of electricity that they are burning and the types of bulbs they are using -either 110 volts or 220 volts. They will also conduct a survey to get the necessary information to determine our needs and supply us with the necessary compact fluorescent bulbs," said Dr. Martin.
He said following the completion of the survey, an operational plan will drawn up that will be triggered by him at the appropriate time.
"They (the Cubans) are willing to send their engineers and social workers to assist with the distribution of these bulbs island wide to the consumers, who are from the vulnerable groups in our community," said Dr. Martin.
He said Cuban delegation will work alongside officials from the Department of Electricity and the Department of Social Development "to identify those who are most vulnerable as a result of the increase in electricity rates as a result of rising oil prices on the international market."
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The Ministry of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Posts |
The Cuban team was in the fields on Wednesday and carried out their assignment in New Town, Irish Town, Shadwell, the Village and Greenlands. Other areas will be visited during the week.
Dr. Martin said that the request to the Government of Cuba is part of his Ministry's Energy Conservation Project and has asked the Cuban delegation to include Nevis in the programme.
The energy-saving bulbs can last up to 10,000 hours, and are said to be cooler than the incandescent bulbs, more commonly used by households in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (energy saving bulbs) have a long life and last for 10,000 hours, which is longer than the incandescent bulb.
Energy saving bulbs are cooler than incandescent bulbs, use less energy than incandescent bulbs to generate the equivalent lighting and allow consumers to save.
