The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president has called on the Government to provide “more timelines” for when residents can expect to see progress on major investments cited by several Cabinet ministers.

James Carey, speaking to Tribune Business after last week’s Grand Bahama Business Outlook conference, said while he was pleased to learn that bidding on the Grand Bahama International Airport public-private partnership (PPP) will launch on March 28, “there was no particular timeline for these things to be accomplished”.

He added: “For the airport they promised they would go out for RFPs by the end of the month for 30 days, but we can’t reasonably expect something to magically happen 30 days later. I think the [deputy prime] minister said the hotel, for example, that they expected to receive some presentations over the weekend and then they will focus on negotiations.

“So in Grand Bahama we are hopeful, and a lot of things can happen, and there are a number of things on the drawing board stated. They mentioned a number of things, but a number of these things have been on for a while. There’s been a disruption as a result of Hurricane Dorian, and now with COVID-19.”

Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister, said the Grand Lucayan’s Board was yesterday due to review presentations by five different bidders to determine which one it will enter exclusive negotiations with for the hotel’s sale. He added that the Government hoped to conclude negotiations with the preferred bidder by April - an aggressive timeline by anyone’s standards.

Besides the 30-day timeline for bidders on Grand Bahama International Airport to respond, Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama, said ground breaking for Carnival’s cruise port is now being targeted for May 2022. Construction is scheduled to last two-and-a-half years, with the start of operations projected to be November 2024.

Mr Carey also said: “We just need to see some more specifics in terms of timelines. More than the usual. So at the moment, it’s still a bit of wait and see, and while that is happening persons who are likely to be impacted should prepare themselves for these eventualities.”

Alfredo Bridgewater, owner/operator of Coco Nutz, said: “I was at the Grand Lucayan hotel this Friday and I saw some officials pass through, but that was in relation to a meeting they were supposed to be having. The appearance of them being aware that something needs to be done about the hotel signals that there is an issue, and they are doing something about it.”

“I see more visitors on the ground now, much more than I have seen for the past three years or so. I see a lot more people at the resort. He added that the airport remains a key concern for the island, and he will be “happy with whomever buys it”.