The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that interesting developments of “major consequence” are in the works for Grand Bahama.

“Hutchison Whampoa, the government of the Bahamas, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, we are all engaged in very complex discussions and negotiations that make me feel very good,” the Prime Minister said. “We are close to a new intervention into the economy of Freeport.”

Mr Christie did not go into detail, but revealed that a foreign group is also part of the discussions.

He was speaking at the official opening of the Circle Mall – the first indoor mall of its kind in Freeport.

“We have had new proposals come into government (for Grand Bahama), one in particular we have been working on over the last three months which would result in some interesting things happening of major consequence to the economy of Grand Bahama.

“I am hoping that I would to be back in Grand Bahama in short order to address this matter. It is really now a question of the government, Hutchison Whampoa, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and this foreign group being able to reach trial agreements – I am satisfied that it is in sight,” he said.

Mr Christie said the government of Bahamas spends as much as $29 million annually trying to maintain enterprises on Grand Bahama, including $8 million a year to keep the casino in Lucaya open.

“It really defies the best imagination that I could have as to how you rationalise the money being used in the way it is being used –it didn’t make sense. You cannot continue to subscribe to a casino that has no impact and spending $8 million a year to do that,” he said.

“In GB we are going to have to ensure that we bring the focus that is necessary to making this economy work. This island is too important to the overall success of our country to take risk with it through sloppy decisions.

“I am hoping that Hutchison and the GBPA will be able to join the government of the Bahamas in being able, in the shortest possible time, to bring resolution to matters that are being negotiated, and that will enable hundreds or thousands of jobs to be created, that is how close we are to it,” he said.

For there to be any kind of development of consequence on the hotel properties owned by Hutchison, Mr Christie said the government will first have to offer a range of subsidies and take a number of steps to bring tourists into Grand Bahama.

“We have been examining all of those things, and some of them we have been examining with Hutchison.

“Hutchison has some concerns about being overburdened with expenses; they are looking to the government to assume some expenses, to take over some services, and we have some very comprehensive discussions going on.

“I don’t want to preempt those discussions because they are at the stage now where I am satisfied with my position, and I am hoping they can reach a final conclusion.

“I thought it important for me say that since I have the opportunity, because I have kept quiet on it for a long time, just simply saying I am optimistic that things are happening. I have now reached the point where I want it to happen badly, because GB is overdue for good news and good things happening where hundreds of persons can go back to work,” he said.

In terms of Royal Oasis, Mr Christie said the owners may be considering offers for purchase from people interested in the acquiring the property.

The government, he said, is working hard on the Princess Properties.

“It is a vexing matter when dealing with a resort property (that is) not on the beach.

“We are trying to do a lot of things right now, which includes re-activating that property. We are very concerned about GB. It is too meaningful a player in the economy of the Bahamas for us to neglect it. So we are working on it every day,” he said.