The Millennium bug failed to bite in Bermuda as business and Government rolled into the new century with virtually no computer problems.

Years of hard work by the major utilities, banks, businesses and Government departments paid off as the transition from 1999 to 2000 passed smoothly and almost totally free of Y2K glitches.

Despite fears of possible disruptions, the telephones worked, the lights went on, the ATM machines gave out cash, and the major companies and Government will be able to operate as normal.

As with the rest of the world, however, no one will claim the Island is finally free of the Y2K threat until the computer systems are subject to heavy use in the coming weeks.

But the transition to the new Millennium went as well as could be hoped for, and the teams of computer experts drafted in over the New Year to deal with potential problems had nothing to do after completing initial testing.

Development, Opportunity and Government Services Minister Terry Lister was delighted with the work done by the Y2K Project Management Office.

Two minor problems, which are probably Y2K-related and had been anticipated, arose and are being dealt with.

The computerised receipting system at Port Royal Golf Course is not working so hand-written receipts are being issued, and a computer which produced forms in the Education Department is malfunctioning. Extra forms were created in advance, so no disruption will be caused.

Government's 28 critical systems, including accounting, tax calculation, the Police, the Prison Service, Customs, the Airport, the hospitals, social and housing assistance, and pensions, all came through with flying colours.

Mr. Lister said: "The only official thing I've done today was the wind down of the Y2K watch.

"I'm very pleased with what we have been able to accomplish. Greg Swan and his team in Government, Barry Shailer of the Bank of Bermuda and all those people in the private sector were outstanding.

"Around the world we have heard of minor problems of which we had two. But we had contingency plans and we are working on overcoming them now. We had 28 mission critical systems that have had no problems at all.

"The Project Management Office has given the Government a green light with what they describe as a considerable degree of confidence.

"I would only add this rider: as Y2K specialists around the world have said during the last couple of days, the real test of a system is using it normally over a long period of time.

"It will be some weeks yet before we can be 100 percent sure that the work that has been done is foolproof. We hope it will be -we anticipate it will be.'' Bermuda Electric Light Company spokesperson Robin McPhee said: "It was absolutely quiet. We didn't have a single call the whole night.'' Patricia Rodrigues, Year 2000 Command Centre, Bank of Butterfield said: "Bank of Butterfield is happy to report that all systems, applications, products and services within the Bank of Butterfield group of companies are fully functional and operational following the Y2K rollover into the new millennium.

It is business as usual at Bank of Butterfield.'' Bermuda Stock Exchange issued a statement saying: "The Bermuda Stock Exchange is pleased to report that as anticipated, all mission critical systems are fully operational. Trading on BSX will resume at 8.30 a.m. Tuesday.'' Bank of Bermuda reported yesterday afternoon that all its offices around the world had reported in "all systems are functioning as expected.'' The banks will continue to monitor closely the financial markets when they open for business, starting with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange which began trading last night (SUN).

A Bank spokeswoman continued: "No major issues have been identified. We continue to carry our operation checks and to monitor counterparties and markets around the globe.'' At the ready: Technicians at Bermuda's Y2K command centre stood at the ready over the weekend in case any Millennium computer emergencies reared their ugly heads.

BUSINESS BUC