By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Government is considering a proposal for Cat Island that could potentially create hundreds of new jobs, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.

Mr Christie made the announcement during his 2013/2014 Budget Contribution, noting that the Government had reached the stage where it only had to settle on the provision of water and it was “off to the races”.

He is thought to have been referring tothe long-awaited PGA Villafge project by Cat Island Partners, an affiliate of Southworth Consulting.

Meanwhile, Mr Christie also noted that hospitals were on the drawing board for Cat Island and South Eleuthera.
He added that there were several developments underway or in the pipeline for not only New Providence but Bimini, Grand Bahama, Exuma, San Salvador, Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat Island, among others.
 “As an example of successful public and private sector partnering, I would signal the new development in Bimini, which is now in full swing,” the Prime Minister said.

“A private sector cruise ship will be dedicated exclusively to that island to provide a steady flow of visitors. There are also airport and port expansions. In all, we are looking at the transformation of both North and South Bimini, with the people of Bimini being fully involved in that process.

“This is a very concrete example of the progress that we are making and not only a wishful hope; we expect hundreds of jobs to be created there by July. I would also emphasise that, throughout the process, we have taken all necessary steps to protect the environment.”