The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DR HUBERT Minnis has promised that a Free National Movement government will put an end to the neglect and misery in Grand Bahama and restore the island to its former glory.  

The FNM Leader said that his party will bring more new industries to the island, stimulate and support a restoration of the glory that was once Grand Bahama and bring relief to the poor and less fortunate.

While in Freeport last Friday, Dr Minnis introduced his change team in Grand Bahama. Joining him on stage were Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest, the candidate for East Grand Bahama; Michael Pintard, the candidate for Marco City; Frederick McAlpine, the candidate for Pineridge; Iram Lewis, the candidate for Central Grand Bahama; and Pakesia Edgecombe, the candidate in West Grand Bahama and Bimini.

Dr Minnis said that Grand Bahamians are living a “miserable life” because of the outrageous decisions of the PLP government.

“The PLP has brought nothing but misery, misery and more misery,” he told a packed rally of supporters. “The misery index is off the charts. Businesses, hotels and your casino closing. Thousands laid off, high unemployment, and crime increasing,” he said.

He noted that homeless families are living in the International Bazaar or in parked cars and that the school lunch programme has stopped because lunch vendors cannot get paid.

Dr Minnis said that the FNM will put an end to the neglect when elected. “FNMs, just as we have done before we will put an end to Grand Bahama’s neglect. Grand Bahama will live again,” he said.  

He noted that Grand Bahama has all the advantages of becoming the industrial capital of the Bahamas and that the FNM will ensure that it happens.  

Dr Minnis said that almost every major successful industry in Freeport came under FNM leadership - the Container Port, Grand Bahama Shipyard, Bahama Rock, Bradford Marine, Polymers International “and all the industrial companies that service these companies came as a part of our vision to make Grand Bahama the industrial capital of the Bahamas”.

“Under a Minnis-led government we will continue the practice started by my predecessor,” he pledged.

Dr Minnis also revealed that an FNM government, in conjunction with the University of The Bahamas, will encourage the establishment of a technical and scientific research hub in Grand Bahama, similar to the renowned Silicon Valley in California.

He assured his listeners that the FNM will also extend the course offerings at the Northern Campus of the University so that students will not have to travel to Nassau to complete their degree.

“We will encourage investors to take advantage of the duty-free concessions offered to businesses locating in East and West Grand Bahama.

“Grand Bahama declined when Grand Bahama lost those magical differences. When Grand Bahama tried to become another Nassau or Paradise Island, that’s when Grand Bahama began to lose,” he said.

Dr Minnis said FNM will restore tourism again so that Grand Bahama can become a destination where the enjoyment is again outside hotels.  

 “That enjoyment will be delivered by Bahamians with the talent, the creativity and the entrepreneurial drive that restores the magic. Bahamian music, art, shows, theme parks, and the Bahamian people will be the core reason to come to Grand Bahama,” he said.  

The FNM leader indicated that the party will also address the high cost of travel to Grand Bahama which is hindering the island.

He said that while Grand Bahama is much closer to the United States than most of the competing destinations in the region, it is much more expensive to travel to Freeport than to Nassau, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and many other places in the Caribbean and Mexico that are much further away.

“This makes no sense. We are going to correct this problem,” said Dr Minnis.

Dr Minnis said Grand Bahama duty-free shopping is another advantage. “Freeport can become world-renowned for its shopping opportunities. When we have visitors travelling all across Grand Bahama enjoying the Bahamian experiences that are the Grand Bahama experience, we will enable them to shop at prices that will make Grand Bahama an ideal destination. 

“Yes, people will leave Florida and travel to Grand Bahama for a quick foreign getaway and for a quick shopping trip at the same time.

“Millions come from Europe to Florida. Millions come from South America to Florida. Millions come from all across North America to Florida. 

“But many do not know how close they are to the Bahamas and many do not know when they will again have such an opportunity,” he said.