PM promise to deliver for Grand Bahama

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring Grand Bahama lives up to its full potential amid continuing concerns about the island’s beleaguered economy.

Discussions have been reignited about the economic state of Grand Bahama in recent days, especially since news about the potential exit of a major investor on the island became public.

Earlier this month, the Del Zotto family announced it planned to close several of its businesses there following an impasse with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).

Other concerns have been expressed about the Grand Lucayan resort after it was revealed last week that negotiations over the hotel’s sale will be extended by 45 days to September 15.

In a recent interview with The Tribune, Michael Scott, the former chairman of Lucayan Renewal Holdings, suggested the sale had not yet been finalised because Electra America Hospitality Group, the buyers, required a firm commitment from the government on redevelopment and reconstruction of the Grand Bahama International Airport.

Responding yesterday, Prime Minister Davis assured the airport’s redevelopment was still a priority for his administration, noting it was an essential component to the success of the hotel’s sale.

“We could walk and chew gum,” he said. “While negotiations for the sale of the Grand Lucayan hotel is taking place, we are also at the same time working assiduously to ensure that the airport, the gateway to Grand Bahama is also in that mix so we’re not just leaving the airport aside to get that done.

“We’re working in tandem to ensure because in opposition, you would’ve heard me saying and speaking to the fact that for Grand Bahama to move on, it has to be a holistic approach. You can’t just sell the Lucayan hotel without understanding where airlift is going to come from and if you have airlifts, what you need for airlifts – a properly constructed airport with the proper amenities that will attract airlifts.”

Yesterday, Mr Davis was also asked to respond to calls for the government to acquire the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

FNM founding member Maurice Moore recently said in an interview with a local news outlet that it was time for the government to “take back control of Freeport,” adding the island needed to be revitalised.

A similar view was expressed by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in 2018 when he urged the Minnis administration to buy the Grand Bahama Port Authority instead of the Grand Lucayan at the time.

“Well, first of all, the control of the Freeport construct was ceded to private hands from 1955 so the government never really had control over it,” Mr Davis said. “It was only after the ‘bend or break’ speech that some elements of control were implemented. We feel that the promise of Grand Bahama is yet to be fulfilled and we are in discussions to see how we can construct that path of fulfilling the promises of Grand Bahama and Freeport in particular,” he continued.

“And we are now engaged in conversations to see how that path can be constructed. What the outcome of those discussions will be, I’m not sure at this time. I am committed to ensuring that that path is constructed to fulfilling the promises that Grand Bahama has.”

FNM leader Michael Pintard also weighed in on the issue yesterday, saying what the island needs is credible investment.

“I wouldn’t comment on what he (Moore) has to say, but I’ll simply say this what we need is investors who have deep pockets and who are creative in terms of looking at ways to create additional revenue streams and attract investment,” Mr Pintard said yesterday on the sidelines of a tour of Fox Hill. “So, all of us are challenged. Central government must move with a sense of urgency, have a sense of creativity and involve licensees of the port, the chamber of commerce and other stakeholders in selling Grand Bahama in general, Freeport in particular.

“And so, the owners of the Grand Bahama Port Authority are no exception. People are looking for robust leadership that will be creative and that will spend money and seek to attract additional resources to Grand Bahama. So, all things should be on the table for discussion as we try to revive Grand Bahama in general and Freeport in particular.”

Comments

Sickened says...

I sincerely wish the PLP and our Leader the very best of luck in getting Grand Bahama back on track. It's a difficult promise to keep because we have very little control over the port area (the hub).

Posted 10 August 2022, 9:28 a.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

Why yall worrying about the Port? All you have to do is REMOVE the clause in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement that states that NOBODY can build and operate an airport on the entire island of GB (even outside the Port Area) without permission from the Port.

Then, use the Missile Base runway as a starting point to construct an airport there and develop East End. Make East End a fantastic place the way you think the Port should do Freeport and put them to shame.

Do it, don't just talk. When Freeport persons start moving out of Freeport to live and work in the East End then that will be an incentive to the Port - or they can just let Freeport be a ghost town - their choice.

But do something !!! Show them how it's done. Or develop south Eleuthera or North Eleuthera or Abaco or make some other place in the Bahamas a great place and put the Port to shame. If you can't do any better, then keep quiet. Yall might start by trying to keep the power on in Abaco, then you might get some money in the Treasury from there.

Posted 10 August 2022, 9:35 a.m. Suggest removal

Flyingfish says...

GB development has always been a struggle. The whole reason it has the Port is because it was historically under-developed.

GB investment is almost like beating a dead horse. They need a 10+ year plan to stabilise the island, not just throwing cash and hoping the problems wont stay.

Posted 10 August 2022, 9:46 a.m. Suggest removal

moncurcool says...

The government already controls West End and East End in Grand Bahama. Look at what they are doing that? Nothing!

If they take control of Freeport, you will see the exact same thing happen - Nothing.

As bad as the Port is now, Grand Bahama would be worst with the government controlling Freeport. Just look at what they have done with developing other Family Islands.

Rather than try take control, just make the Port owners live up to their obligations.

And if Brave had any sense, he would realize that the bend or break speech crippled Freeport. The bulldog in china shop approach does not work.

Posted 10 August 2022, 11:28 a.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

Government is not allowed to put an airport in the west or the east, so they can't create an economy there.

Posted 10 August 2022, 2:26 p.m. Suggest removal

moncurcool says...

There is an airport in the West. West end airport has been used an dis used.

Yet, the issue of airport is not the problem. the government owns the one in Freeport now and can't even get that up and running. And look at the other airports government runs throughout the country?

Government cannot take care of what they have. To add Freeport would just me another island that will suffer even more.

Posted 10 August 2022, 3:25 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Best advice premiership ....The heart of Freeport would be best served by spending less time briefing media and get work ... stone focus, not with new but old eyes by returning premiership to **complete the full nativeizlation** of Freeport. ... There is no doubt that Freeport **do, do best** over span 63 years has proven **it only works best** when its done by the natives ― Yes?

Posted 10 August 2022, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

One thing with Bwave, he never gives a definitive answer. It's always "we are working on something" Jeez man get your ass to work and get things done. Stop flying all over the world trying to solve other people's problems.

Posted 10 August 2022, 1:46 p.m. Suggest removal

Maximilianotto says...

Walking and chewing gum - and swallowing.
Why should any investor with deep pockets come?
Depending on interventionist government?
Where’s any benefits for an investor?
This all makes no sense - who ruined Freeport decades ago? Government. So Old Day = New Day lots of walking talking chewing. Rothschild and IMF will fix.

Posted 10 August 2022, 2:06 p.m. Suggest removal

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