The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said his administration intends to carry out every commitment it has promised for Grand Bahama in its Charter for Governance.

“We promised to bring a different day in Grand Bahama… and we have under contemplation certain economic developments that we are talking to people about that we think would be material in their impact positively on the economy here,” he said in a recent interview with The Tribune.

Mr Christie noted that his government has brought Sunwing, a major Canadian travel group, to Grand Bahama.

Sunwing has provided increased airlift to the island and has opened a new five-star Memories Resort, employing hundreds of Bahamians.

Grand Bahama has gained some 34,000 airline seats from Canada and 66,000 from the US. Tourism earnings are estimated at nearly $60m.

The prime minister said that his government also looked at what the FNM government was spending and cut it down significantly in terms of direct subventions into the economy here.

The Ingraham administration was spending $25m a year to keep the Grand Bahama economy afloat.

Asked whether his government is on track with its pre-election pledges for Grand Bahama, Mr Christie stated that the country’s debt is a priority however his administration is committed to helping the island.

“With respect to Grand Bahama, the government has committed itself to certain things. Because of the fact that we are in such a difficult debt problem, whenever you have to relax positions that have to do with cost, you have to be careful. But we intend to carry out every commitment we promised in our Charter for Governance,” he said.

Mr Christie noted that his government continues to do what it can to help Grand Bahama.

“When we imposed taxes during the budget… we held discussions with Hutchison (Whampoa), the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the (Grand Bahama) Shipyard and agreed to roll back the taxes. That is what we are doing in consideration of them providing added employment in Grand Bahama,” he said.

“With respect to all of the other issues, we have them before us and… there are some things we promised that we have not yet done, and I have indicated whatever we promise we intend to carry out, but we are heavily influenced by not adding to the debt and cost of the government.”