The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday called on Prime Minister Perry Christie to reconsider his decision to cancel the Rand Memorial Hospital expansion and improvement project.

The former Free National Movement government purchased the Island Palm Resort for $1.9 million in March with the intent of using the building to expand the hospital.

While in Grand Bahama recently, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis said the government was in discussions to turn the facility into a temporary shelter for displaced families because there were people living in their cars and on beaches while the empty resort was not being used.

However, last week Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government is now using the hotel for administrative offices.

Dr Minnis said the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minster are not only contradicting each other, but also making a move that will be detrimental to the economy of Grand Bahama.

He said: “Brave Davis said they are turning the Island Palm hotel into a hostel for the homeless but Mr Christie is saying it will be offices. Do they not speak to each other? What do they talk about in Cabinet meetings?

“I am urging the Prime Minister to reconsider. There is a shortage of bed space on the island as it is. Grand Bahama currently has the best theatre in the region especially with the advanced new emergency room.

“We set that theatre up for domestic health tourism. Now people in New Providence who have to wait in long lines for services can have it done in Grand Bahama.

“They have limited beds and the decision to cancel this contract will stagnate the health growth and development of Grand Bahama. The hotel would have been broken down to meet hospital standards but in the interim certain areas could have been utilised.”

In March, the government signed a contract worth $1.9 million to purchase the Island Palm Hotel in Grand Bahama.

The agreement came almost immediately following large-scale renovations at the Rand’s Accident and Emergency section, Urgent Care Unit, operating theatre and day surgical unit.

The project has already cost the government $9 million.