By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport

Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville said Grand Bahama is on its way to becoming grand again through the initiation of several major government projects here on the island.

He noted that Prime Minister Perry Christie created his ministry specifically for Grand Bahama to ensure that residents, especially those living in the outlying settlements, receive maximum benefits from government initiatives.

“I had opportunity to travel from to east to west, and talk with many residents and listen to their concerns…and

what they felt was necessary to make Grand Bahama grand again,” he said.

Dr Darville said the government is bringing long-term solutions to age-old problems by constructing a new fire station; the Fishing Hole Road Bridge, a sea wall at Smith’s Point; and a new junior high school in West Grand Bahama.

“The signing and groundbreaking of the West Grand Bahama Junior High School is another example of the government’s promise to doubling its investment in education,” he said.

There are also plans for a new government administrative complex in Eight Mile Rock at the former Friendship Shopping Centre, where preparation work is now underway.

Other initiatives include the establishment of duty-free concessions in east and west Grand Bahama, as well as the provision of potable water in those areas.

Dr Darville also noted that government is renovating and modernising the West End and Eight Mile Rock Clinics.