Flipping Grand Bahama

REMARKS MADE BY CAREY LEONARD AT THE ROTARY CLUB OF GRAND BAHAMA SUNRISE HELD AT “GENEVA’S RESTAURANT” WEDNESDAY, 17 TH FEBRUARY 2016 “Mister President, Rotary members and guests, let’s get Freeport to work” I say that because the future of the Port Area, the future economic impact that the Port Area has on East and West Grand Bahama, the future of Grand Bahama as a whole, is in your hands. “Not my hands,” you say.  To which I reply, “Yes, your hands and mine too”.  This is the year 2016 and it does not, in any way resemble the years 1991 -1993, the years when the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was last extended. 2016 is different in so many areas of our economy, not just of the Port Area and the rest of Grand Bahama, but that of the entire Bahamas. According to the latest news reports, unemployment is running at a staggering 15.7% and it is even higher in the Country’s most populous island, New Providence. In 1993 the unemployment rate was 13.1%. The Nationa...

At a time when the country remains in dire need of a new fiscal direction, the Government of the Bahamas continues to ignore the vast economic potential that exists in and around Grand Bahama Island; allowing it to be stifled. Add to that this administration’s neglect of government buildings and its civil servants and an overall disregard to good governance and Grand Bahama Island continues in limbo. Similarly, the Free National Movement has failed to be an acceptable alternative to the current administration. Over the past several months they have been preoccupied by an ongoing power struggle and unnecessary infighting. Since the PLP took office in 2012, Grand Bahamians have continued to be plagued by record unemployment, the crippling cost of electricity and an overall lack of opportunity. After years of failing to cultivate a culture of cooperation with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, the government is only now – at the height of the political season – seeking to foster the...

Nassau, Bahamas - The Hon. Minister Dr. Michael Darville, Member of Parliament for Pineridge and Minister For Grand Bahama House of Assembly Contribution- A Bill for An Act to Extend for a Period of Three Months Certain Tax Exemptions Granted under the Agreement known as The Hawksbill Creek Agreement 17th February, 2016: Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I stand, as Minister for Grand Bahama, on behalf of the people of Grand Bahama and the residents of Pineridge, to support this bill which seeks to extend for a period of three months, certain tax exemptions granted under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement; and would give the cabinet subcommittee and the Hawksbill Creek Agreement Review Committee, the additional time needed to finalize the negotiations with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and the relevant stake holders. Mr. Speaker, what sits as a key point of interest among many must be the Government’s position with respect to the expiring concessions under the Hawksbi...

Nassau, Bahamas - Communication by The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Centreville on The Hawksbill Creek Grand Bahama (Deep Water Harbour And Industrial Area) Extension of Tax Exemption Period Amendment Bill 2016 on Wednesday, February 17th, 2016: Mr. Speaker, At the outset of my contribution to the debate on the Bill now before us to extend for three months the expiring concessions under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement I should point out that this extension will allow my Government the time needed to conclude a set of important arrangements to further strengthen and expand the economy of Grand Bahama. When my administration took office less than four years ago, the economy of Grand Bahama was depressed with high unemployment and resultant economic hardships. From then until now we have put in place a series of initiatives and created the environment not only to turn the economy around but to secure future growth. Tourism was in seve...

The Prime Minister’s communication made on 3rd March 2016 to the House of Assembly on the status of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement is, in many ways, a milestone as it sets out, for the “public at large”, the issues and objectives that our Government deems important as we move the Hawksbill Creek Agreement forward. Transparency in negotiations, such as the extension and review of certain provisions, of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which affect the livelihood of the tens of thousands of Residents and Licensees of the Port Area, is critical. We now have a checklist of items to aim for. Some items may be achievable, others may not be achievable. But that is the nature of negotiations. What is important is that we, the people, now know what the principal points are and now, for the first time, can play a part in this process. In addition, significant portions of the McKinsey Report have been made public. This is a report that has been paid for by the Citizens and Residents of...