The South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant will be reconstructed, says Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley,in the process allowing farmers in St George and St Philip to benefit from treated water as the country pushes to boost its food security.
She gave that assurance recently at Ilaro Court, Two Mile Hill, St Michael, after signing an agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the Barbados Climate Resilient South Coast Water Reclamation Project.
“The real work begins now in being able to make sure we can reconstruct the South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant by allowing it to have treated water as opposed to separating liquids from solids.
“It is that treated water that will be used to augment our aquifers and will be used to irrigate non-leafy greens agricultural products in St Philip and St George,” Mottley said.
She noted that flooding, drought-like conditions, climate change, pests and pathogens will continue to impact the agricultural sector.
The Prime Minister said the upcoming enhancements were critical because wars and supply chain issues could also impact Barbados’ food security.
“We have recognised that it is going to be compounded by the continued wars and conflicts. The disruption in the supply chain will lead to increased pricing and the return of migrant labour will lead to compromised capacity with respect to growing, where labour is a key component of growing vegetables and fruit we depend on.
“We have to become more resilient, self-sufficient, self-reliant and we can’t do that unless we transform how we produce,” she added.
The signing coincided with Barbados’ recent successful completion of an “unprecedented” debt-for-climate swap to finance water and sewage projects.
With support from international funding partners, the country replaced outstanding, more expensive debt with more affordable financing, generating US$125 million in fiscal savings which will be used to enhance water resource management, and increase water and food security.
Mottley made it clear that the agreement did not mean the country would incur more debt.
“Can you imagine you have a house and you get the next house next to you and you’re not increasing the amount of money you have to pay for it? That is what the debt-for-climate resilience swap is.
Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Senator Chad Blackman, Director of Finance and Economic Affairs The Most Honourable Ian Carrington, Governor of the Central Bank Dr Kevin Greenidge, President of the IDB Ilan Goldfajn, managing director of CIBC Caribbean, Donna Wellington, and other officials attended the signing.
Goldfajn said they were glad to assist Barbados in improving its climate resilience.
“The upgraded sewage system will reduce pollution, protect the ecosystem and improve sanitation. The facility will double water availability by 2050, safeguard marine health systems, enhance food security and strengthen the Barbados Water Authority,” Goldfajn added.
Wellington said CIBC, the Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank were pleased to be a part of the process.
“We are extremely pleased to have led and arranged this transaction along with our other banks in local dollars. We feel proud to support sustainable financing in Barbados, especially since it’s the first of its kind in the world,” she said.
