The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FREEPORT - Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Grand Bahama's tourism industry would have collapsed in 2010 without the support of the FNM government. He said the government spent nearly $8 million to help facilitate Discovery Cruise Line's ferry service between Florida and Grand Bahama. The Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship - which made 48 calls, bringing 120,000 passengers - was also supported by the government at a cost of half a million dollars, Mr Ingraham said. He said similar support was also given to Carnival Cruise Lines, Delta , US Air, West Jet out of Canada and more recently, Vision Airline. Mr Ingraham also revealed that more than $4 million was spent on direct marketing for the Grand Lucaya Hotel. And, he noted that by the end of the summer the government will have spent more than $17 million to keep the Isle of Capri hotel and Treasure Bay casino open. "And they say we've done nothing for Grand Bahama. This support has saved thousands of jobs in Grand Bahama and gave hundreds of businesses the ability to survive," said Mr Ingraham. The prime minister said that in these difficult economic times, the FNM has also searched out investors for Grand Bahama. "We achieved some results, not as much as we wanted to," he said. "I'm not happy about our results, but I did the best I could. And anybody who thinks somebody else can do better - vote for them." Mr Ingraham said the FNM was able to get Ross University to Grand Bahama, and facilitated First Reserve and then Buckeye in the purchase of BORCO, which is undertaking hundreds of millions of dollars of work in Grand Bahama. The government was also able to attract Stat Oil, which is carrying out tens of millions worth of work at its plant in East Grand Bahama. "We saw the expansion of the Grand Bahama Shipyard which came into being on our previous terms in office and has taken on new employees and is training young cadets. "We had to legalise the benefits the PLP gave to Ginn so that that stumbling project could have a chance. "We have had to prop up the Isle of Capri as I told you, to keep hundreds of Bahamians employed. We have gotten new cruise ships and airlifts to Grand Bahama. "We have overseen the entry of Emera and the new $80 million power plant investment," Mr Ingraham said. The government had also undertaken several projects on Grand Bahama such as a $16 million Government Office Complex, a new Accident and Emergency Department, new operating theatres at the Rand Memorial Hospital, and the Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High School, according to Mr Ingraham. Additionally, he noted that the government is creating jobs for about 1,000 people; has made unemployment benefits available to many; has put in place a Prescription Drug Programme; has provided millions of dollars in assistance to Grand Bahama; and gave scholarships to many deserving Bahamians. Mr Ingraham said the FNM revived Grand Bahama's economy before and will do it again. "Grand Bahama has come through the worst. Things will begin to get better for you. As the global economy continues to recover and our economy continues to recover, so too will yours here in Grand Bahama," he said.