The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce's president yesterday said he wants more information on what the Prime Minister means on “decisive action” on the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).

James Carey told Tribune Business that it is hard to make any comments on Prime Minister Philip Davis’s remarks on the government’s intention to take “decisive action", on the way the GBPA’s governance model has transformed over the years because the remarks didn’t go into any great detail.

Philip Davis, KC, during his budget communication, said: “Grand Bahama contributes 12 percent of the overall GDP of The Bahamas, yet its economy declined by 9 percent compared to the previous year.

“There was a silver lining as the tourism sector witnessed a slight increase in 2022, which was evident in the growth of the accommodation and food service industries.

“Unfortunately, the statistics show a prolonged decline in the Grand Bahamian economy. The evidence confirms the view of my Government that the Hawksbill Creek economic model, which was meant to attract foreign direct investment, does not work.

“Furthermore, in our view, the governance model of the Grand Bahama Port Authority must change, in order to realise the promise, growth and prosperity which we all desire.

“Additionally, The Government of The Bahamas has serious concerns regarding the compliance of the GBPA and its related companies with the terms and conditions of the Hawksbill Creek Act, and its subsequent amendments.

“Previous administrations have made efforts to tackle the situation, but the issue is clearly systemic and fundamental.

“We believe the time has come for decisive action. In due course, we will make a separate, detailed announcement.”

Mr Carey however, in response to the Prime Minister’s remarks, noted, “Do you think that the billion dollars worth of investment projects in the pipeline would cause the Prime Minister to pause on what he is going to do? If I were investing I would want to know what’s happening too.”

Mr Carey also said: “The GBPA has done stuff over the past several years and I’m not defending the GBPA, but in the last two decades, we've had hurricanes, we've had a pandemic and the whole leadership structure at the GBPA, which was a different breed of people, has changed.”

The government has stepped in to nationalise the Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) in 2019 from the GBPA and its partner Hutchinson Port Holdings. The government said at the time that the GBIA was allowed to fall into disrepair over the last several years and after Hurricane Dorian hit the island, the owners were stalling to make the repairs necessary to turn it into a viable, world-class airport.

That notwithstanding, Mr Carey believes in the GBPA and is “concerned” that the Prime Minister’s remarks may be misinterpreted as nationalisation of a private asset.

He also said: “The times have changed and I've said on several occasions that I believe that the HCA should be reviewed, reconfirmed or tweaked as necessary because times have changed.

“I can't imagine the government will step out and do anything radical as far as the government is concerned because it sends the wrong message out that the government can be heavy handed and just step in and regardless of the agreements that are in effect, make changes.

“I don't think the government's going to do that. But it would be interesting to know all of what it is that they're thinking of the terms of development.” Noting that it it could appear to be a veiled threat, Mr Carey continued, “You know, Grand Bahama is more than Freeport. The GBPA is responsible for Freeport so we may have to ask what has government itself done with regard to West Grand Bahama and East Grand Bahama at the same time as well.”