CIG spends $2.5M on Turtle Centre pump project
(CNS): The tourism ministry has signed a CI$2.56 million deal with Sanpik Contracting Cayman Ltd to implement a saltwater pipe and pump project at the Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre. The deal follows an open procurement process. The project involves the relocation of the pumping system and replacing the pipes that fill the tanks and lagoons that hold the turtles.
The Centre needs a constant supply of fresh seawater, but it is using the same pipes that were installed in 1968, as they were not updated during the 2001 turtle farm upgrade.
Over the years, these pipes have become clogged with built-up calcification, severely limiting the water flow and reducing their diameter from 14 inches to approximately 4 inches, according to a release about the new project. This has led to lower water flow, increased operating costs, and two major breaks that have disrupted water supply to the turtle tanks, officials said.
The seaside location of the pumping station makes it vulnerable to hurricanes and other storms. After the Nor’wester in February last year the system required substantial repairs. The pumps are temporarily removed during severe weather events to prevent damage but this process leaves the tanks without a continuous supply of water and greatly reduces efficiency at the Centre during these periods.
For several years, the possibility of relocating the pumping station inland has been under consideration, and this deal will enable the much-needed project to move ahead. The new inland pumping station, which will be located across the road from the existing facility and will pump 20 million gallons of saltwater per day, ensuring continuous water flow without the need to dismantle the pumps during inclement weather.
This upgrade will improve operational efficiency and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
CTCEC CEO Christopher Jackson said the remodel will facilitate necessary improvements in efficiency at the facility.
“With the pump station moved inland, we will address adverse effects during times of inclement weather. This will in turn help protect the animals which rely on an adequate supply of saltwater, as well as reducing risks to our staff. I would like to thank the CTCEC Board of Directors for their support in getting this project initiated.”
Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan said the project was long overdue, and he was pleased to see the process of improving the efficiency of the centre, “our largest land-based tourism attraction”, get underway.
“As the only facility of its kind in the world, it is paramount that the Centre’s infrastructure supports its efforts in rehabilitating the green sea turtle population — a key element of our cultural identity,” Bryan added.
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Category: Government Finance, Politics
Mr. Smug himself, spending public money like it’s free.
Nice picture of the dead queen in the background
she looks alive in the pic…
Is this to pump money directly into the sea, or to pump it straight to the dump?
Oh, bravo, Caymanians!
Another CI$2.5 million flushed into the gaping maw of the so-called “Turtle Centre” – or, let’s be honest – the “TURTLE ABATTOIR”, where endangered species meet their maker for the sake of a archaic little stew.
Truly, nothing screams “progress” like chowing down on creatures teetering on the brink of extinction. It’s almost poetic how this money-haemorrhaging monument to backwardness mirrors Caymanians’ broader failure to step into the modern world.
Adapt and thrive? Nah, let’s cling to a relic that bleeds cash faster than Caymanian politicians’ expense accounts (albeit the latter are replenished by kickbacks from developers).
This isn’t a “tourism gem”; it’s a retarded, backwards fiscal black hole, for retarded, backwards people, offering zero value beyond nostalgia-for-morons for a time when “cultural identity” meant ignorance of conservation and a desperate struggle for survival (i.e. turtles were eaten because the locals used to be dumb and unemployable, and it was the only food they could afford. Whereas now, … actually, wait … no comment.)
Here we are, with Caymanians leaders pandering to the inbred/inbreeding crowd, who see this as a point of pride — much like many voters who keep them in power. It’s emblematic, really: a perfect storm of stubbornness and deep, wide, irredeemable stupidity. As for the defenders of this debacle? Bless their hearts, they’re out here arguing for a sinking ship with the zeal of flat-earthers at a science fair. Keep shining, Caymanians — you’re a case study in backwardness.
All that from the Turtle farm replacing a water pipe, wow!
Remove the farm and say goodbye to the wild population. It has already been proved that the vast majority of our wild turtles are genetically linked to the ones released by the Turtle Centre. Without the Turtle Centre they would be nonexistent in our waters.
If there are ways to improve conditions and efficiency at the Turtle Centre I’m all for it, but we are not in a position to get rid of the Turtle Centre.
Your comment wreaks of hatred towards the locals more than disappointment with this project. Hopefully you are typing this all from overseas and not somewhere on island enjoying our beaches and sand
The man in the center is an opportunist and he is a lier, a straight faced lier.
3/22
Minister Kenneth Bryan said government is prepared to subsidise a public bus system in an effort to help get cars off the roads.
He said the consultants would come up with a comprehensive long term strategy for transport.
11/22
Bryan has set his sights on a January 2024 start date for a public transport bus network. He also said he was working with Santia Bradshaw, the Barbados minister for transport, works and water resources, to make that happen.
11/24
Kenneth Bryan suggested that developers were “struggling” to get things built because of “unreasonable or unrealistic” environmental protection
Liar
And look at the face, looks more and more like McKeewa,thinks he has every right, complacent, disgusting POS. Pull the chair from under him, end up on his a** with McKeewa.
This place needs to double as an international marine research facility and then their financial sponsors can subsidize at least some of its running costs. So much potential being wasted.
Can’t have an international marine research facility when the residents are shuffled out the back door to be eaten!
More importantly, there’s no public audit, observed chain of custody, or credible supervision on the destiny of the CITES banned shell scute trade. Off to Cuba or Honduras then off to China? Cayman Airways Cargo?
For every Caymanian that bashes TC, it is one of the last places we have that employs 99% Caymanians. Can you think of many others that can say the same? Alright, then.
Yes – a big one – cental government
Yes, the First NAU and the ‘Second NAU’ (AKA CIG).
oh we know. hence what a huge waste of money it is.
“As the only facility of its kind in the world”. That’s because in the entire civilized world turtles are protected and cannot be butchered
This is how KB repays his donors.
Who owns Sandpik?
German company.
Eating turtle is not part of Cayman culture…doing anything to survive in the 1700s is, and doesn’t need to be recreated now. Disgusting.
i guess you a next one telling people to stop saying “unna”.
Please do us real Caymanians a favor and go back to wherever you came from if you don’t like us eating turtle.
Americans kill BILLIONS of animals each year but god forbid 10,000 people get to follow their ancestor’s footsteps. Numbers to date from Jan 1 2025:
Chickens
8,127,632,113
Turkeys
214,508,816
Cattle
36,163,973
Pigs
124,061,094
https://animalclock.org/
and 40% of that USA meat is just thrown out due to excess unsold waste.
There is a line that sells out literally every time the turtle meat is made available.
For the benefit of educated First World readers, as I asked ChatGPT “What does the Caribbean term “unna” mean in Standard English?”
Andswer:
The Caribbean term “unna” (pronounced you-nah) is a second-person plural pronoun, meaning:
“you all” or “you (plural)” in Standard English.
🏝️ Where it’s used:
Common in Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, and other parts of the English-speaking Caribbean.
Used to address a group of people, never just one person.
✅ Examples in use:
“Unna coming to the party later?”
→ “Are you all coming to the party later?”
“Unna better behave!”
→ “You lot better behave!”
🗣️ Linguistic background:
“Unna” comes from Creole and dialect forms of English, where regional varieties developed their own plural forms of “you” to avoid ambiguity.
It serves the same function as:
“y’all” in Southern American English
“you guys” or “youse” in some dialects
Let me know if you’d like more examples or regional variations of similar pronouns!
Except it’s not pronounced ‘you-nah’ – its pronounced phonetically ‘unna’.
It is called dialect…you ignorant Muppet
It’s actually rooted in African “unu”, but it’s nice to see more people embracing AI tech.
If you are not from here, please show respect. Thank you.
Yeah slavery was cultural.
Lets bring it back
Ah yes, eating turtle = slavery.
And of course it was Cayman that invented both, you are right.
They will be the same people to say, why are Caymanians protesting? Why the social divide?
How much money can they inject into one place??? Close it down!!! I
Very scary when the people in charge believe that there is anything “efficient” about a money hemorrhaging tourist attraction.
shut this vile money wasting facility down.then sell the property. end of.
How and why are these clowns running things in this country!???
They’re now called PPM, so there’s more to come.
Don’t vote PPM is the only way to stop the madness.