By Fay Simmons
Tribune Business Reporter
jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
The Prime Minister last night said investors with projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Grand Bahama have not “even raised an eyebrow” over the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) dispute.
Philip Davis KC, addressing a Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce business dinner, said the likes of Carnival, Royal Caribbean, the Grand Bahama Shipyard and others behind $2bn worth of projects targeted for the island have not voiced any concerns about GBPA’s conflict with the Government.
“Since March 26, none of the many investors we’re working with across a range of projects here in Grand Bahama, or on any other island, have objected, or retreated, or raised any concerns. Or even raised an eyebrow,” he said. “That’s because good investment partners don’t fear governments who enforce contract terms. So, let’s leave fear in the past.
“Let’s go forward with confidence. Let’s liberate Grand Bahama from the purgatory of unrealised potential. You have waited too long for vision and growth and innovation.... Yes, the Port Authority is the licensing entity. But we’re doing the work, and none of the parties or public relations they’re running now can erase a record of neglect....
“Public-private partnerships can yield great benefits, benefits that otherwise would not be possible when the partners are the right ones, when the arrangement suits the times, and when the Government is not afraid to stand on the side of the people.” Mr Davis suggested that the GBPA’s present owners, the Hayward and St George families, are not the right partners for the Government or Freeport.
“Imagine what Grand Bahama could be if the licensees and the Government had the right partner. You know what we have now that the licensees of the 1960s and 1970s did not?” he asked.
“Several generations of educated Bahamians, who are now contributing their talents and expertise to enterprises and endeavors abroad, but who would gladly live and work here if they believed in the opportunities – if they believed they could build a safe and secure future here.
“I remember when Freeport was called the Magic City. It wasn’t just the investments that made it thrive; it was the energy and ambition of young Bahamians who believed they could create something spectacular. That spirit hasn’t vanished; it’s just been stifled. It’s time to unleash it once more.....,” the Prime Minister continued.
“I have an open door, and an open mind, about what comes next. The only thing I’m not open to is the status quo.... You deserve flourishing, thriving communities. You deserve an inclusive economy that generates opportunity, dignity and security. Let’s restore the magic. Let’s break the chains that have held back Grand Bahama for too long. Let’s build a city that finally, truly, works for every one of you.
Comments
moncurcool 6 months, 2 weeks ago
If the PM believes that he really is living in la la land.
ExposedU2C 6 months, 2 weeks ago
The likes of Carnival and Royal Caribbean may feel safe for the moment, but they too must be wondering when this financially desperate and corrupt Davis led PLP government will see fit to ignore key terms of its various agreements with them and apply the screws by engaging in extortionist tactics.
trueBahamian 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Seriously?! I don't get this guy. You can't be in a dogfight with GBPA and think that don't look bad. I don't think all is well with GBPA. But, all isn't rosy with the government either. The two partied need to stop acting like spoilt kids and fix things. Grand Bahama is an island with a lot of opportunity. Stop stifling it. There's no reason Grand Bahama can't be the jewel of the country. The city of Freeport is a blueprint for every city in this country. It's well planned. Can the adults get in the room and stop the kids from fighting?
birdiestrachan 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Mr Davis wants the GBPA to live up to their contract, those of you who love GBPA so much consider that love is not returned they did not even rebuild the airport GB use to have pre clearance US customs and immigration officers lived Here Freeport is at a stand still hutichson who owned part of the Airport took their insurance money and sold our Lucaya that they were unable to sell to those dumb incompetent crew whistle and I will point the fellow who went to the top floor with his pink shirt and took his picture , they hold on to the shipping port that is where the money is what are they investing, they took the FNM government for who they are they they read them well remember the man from BTC laughed at doc
realfreethinker 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Brave is really delusional.
ExposedU2C 6 months, 2 weeks ago
As is birdiestrachan.
ExposedU2C 6 months, 2 weeks ago
As previously posted:
Grand Bahamians need only look at the dismal failure of this corrupt Davis led PLP government to address BPL's many pressing problems here on New Providence to know that the last thing they need is government making an illegal power grab to seize control of Grand Bahama's electrical power generation and distribution systems.
Or could this whole contentious affair be nothing more than an extortionist attempt by government to fleece the owners of the GBPA of mega millions of dollars based on some highly controversial and confidential report that PM Davis commissioned PWC accountants to prepare, no doubt at great cost to us taxpayers? And an even much greater cost for us taxpayers are the mounting bills of the two foreign KCs PM Davis has engaged to represent the government in this black mailing effort. What a sick joke all of this crooked nonsense is.
birdiestrachan 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Man the GBPA must rejoice in the foolishness some Bahamians allow to come out of their mouths It was news some time ago that there was no interest in investing in Freeport truth is the GBPA nor Hutchison is interested either they did not build an airport how is that for investors confidence, they ran like hell from the our lucayan hotel The international bazaar a disaster what did they do with the sale of the the power company and everything else they sold Nassau has investments a airport and pre clearance Bah Mar and the list goes on
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