Dr. Atlee Brathwaite honoured

The Boardroom at the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) building in The Pine, now bears the name of the man who has served as the chairman of the BWA for the last seven years and who has been credited with helping to give the BWA a permanent home.

The naming ceremony took place Friday afternoon, where the man of the hour Dr. Atlee Brathwaite, had the honour bestowed on him in the presence of his wife Elaine; children Alison Brathwaite Goodwin and Andrew Brathwaite; members of the Board of the BWA and staff of the utility company. Delivering the welcome remarks, Deputy Chairman, Henry Barrow said that Brathwaite, who served as chairman from 2008 to 2010 and 2011 to the present, has helped the BWA achieve much and his efforts must be commended.

“This building you stand in was due to his efforts to ensure that the staff of the Authority came together from the several locations which we had around the country. So this is one of the signal important events during his tenure as chair of the Board of the Barbados Water Authority. In terms of the Authority itself, if you look at our distribution system that has also been significantly upgraded during his tenure,” he added.

Barrow’s comments came as he said that it has also been under the Chairman’s guidance, that the Authority has embraced renewable energy. According to him, several photovoltaic systems have been installed in BWA plants across the island including Bowmanston and Carlton. Adding to his remarks, General Manager, Keithroy Halliday spoke glowingly of Brathwaite’s stint as the chairman, contending that the BWA owes him a “monumental debt of gratitude”, for his keen vision and insightfulness for the BWA and where he has taken it.

“It is therefore very fitting that his legacy be recognised and established in the manner in which it is currently being done. Indeed there are many pleasing deeds we can attribute to Dr. Brathwaite’s chairmanship and while we may not always agree with his perspective at all times, indeed when one sits and listen very quietly, both what he says and also what he does not say, many would agree you could even earn yourself a degree in diplomacy, tenacity and I dare say for those who understand – game theory!” he stated.

Following the accolades, a humble Brathwaite, while expressing appreciation at the gesture, said that any praise given should be extended to the full team including Minister of Water Resource Management, Dr. David Estwick, the Board of Directors, as well as the management and staff of the BWA.