The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tibunemedia.net

TALKS with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) over the future of Grand Bahama have “stalled”, says Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis - but he is hopeful that they will resume shortly.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Davis said he hopes to start discussions with the authority next week or early next year.

Tensions between the GBPA and the Davis administration were revealed earlier this year when Mr Davis accused the port authority of failing to follow obligations set out in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement regarding the maintenance of Freeport’s infrastructure and the island’s growth.

Mr Davis said the government had “begun to invoice the Port Authority” to reimburse Bahamian taxpayers’ expenses in providing public infrastructure and services in Freeport and called for new management of the authority.

Port owners defended their management of Freeport, saying increasing bureaucracy and red tape from the government have held the island back and that they would like to cooperate with the government.