PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis looks on as Oban Energies’ non-executive chairman, Peter Krieger, signs the heads of agreement. Krieger has since resigned from the company following public scrutiny. Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE controversial Oban Energies deal proposed for Grand Bahama is still under review by the government, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said yesterday.
It has been four months since the government signed the heads of agreement for the $5.5bn oil refinery and storage facility.
Asked about it yesterday, Mr Turnquest said he could not say much, only that he was awaiting an update.
He also commented on the status of negotiations for the sale of the Grand Lucayan. The hotel closed October 2016 after being severely damaged during Hurricane Matthew, negatively affecting tourism on the island.
"That project is still being worked through. We are at the final negotiation stages and we hope for a favourable result," he said yesterday before going into Cabinet.
The East Grand Bahama MP denied accusations that the Minnis administration neglected Grand Bahama in its plans for fiscal year 2018-2019.
"No, that is not true," he said in response to a question from The Tribune. "There are a number of things that are happening in Grand Bahama. The prime minister outlined some when he spoke and there are other projects that are in the pipeline.
"People are looking for the Grand Lucayan and until the Grand Lucayan is opened there really will not be celebration in the streets and we understand that and that's why we are working so hard on that.
"But there are a number of small wins in Grand Bahama with the digital space, with the eco oil company that opened the other day with the restart of the PharmaChem expansion. There are a number of things that are happening that are adding 20, 30, 40, 50 jobs and they add up.
"So in another year or less, we are going to start to see Grand Bahama make that turn we are all hoping for and looking forward to."
Comments
birdiestrachan 6 years, 6 months ago
Turnquest can not say much about OBAN?? Then who can??
TalRussell 6 years, 6 months ago
Minnis and KP with passing 12% VAT bill, gave Grand Bahamalanders the true official status of how severely damaged their Hurricane MinnisKP has negatively affecting the future Grand Bahamaland.... with only thing in Imperial red shirts pipeline - is excuse after excuse.
Porcupine 6 years, 6 months ago
I believe that the money has already been spent. These guys are just waiting for the right time to send this boondoggle through. Now that we all know it is a scam, this "people's time" government will simply wait until Bahamians are even closer to the breaking point to say, "well, here are some jobs." That seems to shut up most "gimme a job" Bahamians. Don't worry, we are about as close to rock bottom as can be. Crime will sky rocket. Our economy will continue to tank. And politicians like Minnis and Turnquest will flourish as people run to a saviour. How did Trump get in?
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