'But the govt has not forgotten GB' This sounds like the new ambulances in Nassau? No money, no maintenance. While on the topic of forgotten works, the silence is deafening on the 'imminent' sale of Our Lucaya and the "imminent' redevelopment of the GBIA?

Plenty of time to assign blame, the priority is just get it done. This an own goal when we least need it.

"the Port Owners will act in the best interest of themselves"

The bottom line is it is going to cost $40M to rebuild the existing and $80M to move to a new site. Nothing is going to happen until the funds are found for this and additional $$$ for the purchase of the assets if the Govt. goes down that path.

Either way it doesn't happen over night, it will be a long drawn out process during which no one is rebuilding the GBIA.

New terminals $35M
Cargo terminal and Customs offices $6M
Tank farm $4M
Crash rescue/ tower $15M
Extend, widen runway, provide taxiways and aprons to current faa/ iata standards $20M.

Taking the GBIA from the shareholders by any means including 'eminent domain' would be a blood bath, Hutch will fight it tooth and nail, having far deeper pockets than the Government, taking it all the way to the Privy Council, as they have done on other issues. The resulting brawl will do irreparable damage to the reputation of the Bahamas in the world investor view. Look at Hutch's annual report, the Bahamas barely makes a mention, however you are kidding yourself if you think they are simply going to walk away. Like it or not we need to quickly deal with the situation as is.

Rebuilding GBIA close to $40M, activating and upgrading East GB or West GB double that (circa $80M) and still on land that floods.

The Dutch coastal defenses were the result of a major flood caused by a heavy storm that occurred on the night of Saturday, 31 January 1953 and morning of Sunday, 1 February 1953. The floods were a combination of a high spring tide and a severe windstorm over the North Sea caused a storm tide. Realizing that such infrequent events could reoccur, the Netherlands, carried out major studies on strengthening of coastal defenses. The Netherlands developed the Delta Works, an extensive system coastal storm surge barriers. All I am saying is that it is worth getting some experts to give an opinion.

Taking the GBIA from the shareholders by any means including 'eminent domain' would be a blood bath, Hutch will fight it tooth and nail, having far deeper pockets than the Government. The resulting brawl will do irreparable damage to the reputation of the Bahamas in the world investor view. Look at Hutch's annual report, the Bahamas barely makes a mention, however you are kidding yourself if you think they are simply going to walk away.
Also the idea of moving the GBIA to higher ground sounds easy but is beyond the reach of the government finances. You are looking at acquisition of land, infrastructure, etc., and a 4-5 year program. As 40+% of the island flooded where do you find a couple of hundred acres above the 'new' flood plain. You really need to work with what you have and try to make it as flood resistant as possible. Also the terminal built in 2002 was elevated based on historic data is this now obsolete? Is Dorian with its 20'+ surge the new norm. If so then 40+% of the island should be off limits for building
A suggestion, the Dutch have been living and building airports below sea level successfully since the 1950’s, an expert opinion/ recommendation from them would be money well spent.