Independent Senator Professor Emeritus Henry Fraser has described the high cost of energy in Government departments as “scandalous” and the lack of appreciation for the island’s ancient architecture as a disgrace.
During debate on the Appropriations Bill 2013-2014 in the Senate yesterday, Fraser said some $600 million had been vaunted as Government’s new stimulus package but he was finding it difficult to see how it would be spent, except for the improvement of Andrew’s sugar factory, the building of a marina, and diversification of the energy supply.
However, he was particular keen on seeing the last move accelerated because of what he termed “the vast amount of money we spend on utility bills because the utility use in Government departments is extraordinary and dramatic”.
Stating that utility costs in the ministries of Health, Tourism, International Transport and Home Affairs were $15 million – a whopping 2.5 per cent of overall costs – he said while no utility costs were given in the Estimates for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, they had to be about $5 million since the Psychiatric Hospital had spent $1.3 million. (RJ)
