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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Peter Turnquest, Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) and MP for East Grand Bahama, issued the following statement:
“Months after Hurricane Matthew and as Bahamian’s try to piece their lives back together; a concern is growing in Grand Bahama on the ultimate fate of the Grand Celebration and its eventual return to Grand Bahama. We are aware of the company’s desire to return to the island but seemingly the Ministry of Tourism has been slow in directing this important tourism link to the island and thus the matter remains in limbo.
“We in the Free National Movement call for the Government of The Bahamas and the Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament for West End & Bimini in particular, to make a positive statement on the status of the Grand Celebration, which impacts the lives of hundreds of Bahamians through direct and indirect economic activity, while boosting our stop over visitor experience. We also ask the Minister to address the silence from his Ministry surrounding the alleged failure to respond to the request by the Grand Celebration group to initiate a second ship service from a more northern Florida port to Grand Bahama under similar arrangements.
“The reported failure to respond to this request is astounding, if true, especially at a time when Grand Bahama is struggling with room inventory and tourist arrivals. The Free National Movement calls upon the Minister and the Government to debunk this report and to give a full explanation of these negotiations and a timeline for the arrival of the new vessel service, if the proposal put forward is true.
“The Free National Movement is ready and prepared to assume the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in 2017. We understand the urgency of the economic situation on the ground in Grand Bahama and would never allow personal interest and prejudice to affect investor relations beneficial to the economic and social wellbeing of Bahamians.”
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