Leonard gets second chance, second deputy

The government has announced the appointment of an additional deputy director in the Water and Sewerage Department as part of a restructuring exercise that will see the return of Pearline Scatliffe-Leonard as head of the department.

Scatliffe-Leonard went on leave after the government announced in September last year that she was replaced at the state-owned agency, because she did not have the technical expertise needed at the time.

Minister of Communication and Works Mark Vanterpool, in a statement yesterday, stated that Scatliffe-Leonard’s role has been reconsidered.

He said: “The Water and Sewerage Department continues to gain internal operational strengthening, with the restructuring of management being a pivotal component to its success. Mrs Pearline Scatliffe-Leonard’s role was reconsidered and [yesterday], she returned from leave to resume her duty as Director of the Water and Sewerage Department.”

“The Department was in need of engineering leadership and therefore we have decided to establish a balanced leadership structure at the Department to further increase its revenue potential and enhance its ability to manage engineering issues effectively,” Vanterpool further said.

The ‘balanced leadership structure’ includes the appointment of two deputies, instead of the usual one.

The minister explained: “A Deputy Director of Sewerage, for which Mr Bernard Grant will assume this position, will be responsible for managing all sewerage systems in the territory. This includes the Cane Garden Bay system, Paraquita Bay treatment plant, the newly commissioned Burt Point sewerage treatment plant, and the anticipated sewerage system in East End. The sewerage infrastructure of the territory will continue to be developed under the guidance of Technical Engineering Consultant Mr Alva Francis.”

“[There is also] a Deputy Director of Water, who will be responsible for the management of the water distribution network, reservoirs, pump stations and Government’s Water plant at Baughers Bay. The water infrastructure of the territory will continue to be developed under the guidance of Technical Engineering Consultant Mr Keith Smith,” added Vanterpool.

He further stated that the new roles will allow the “overarching role of Director to focus on administration, governance, and policy.”

The changes took effect yesterday, February 6.

“It is the hope of the Ministry of Communications and Works that this restructuring will allow the Water and Sewerage Department to operate at its full potential bringing skill, expertise, and organization to one of the territory’s most vital utility,” Vanterpool said.