Bahamian Politics
(Video) Prime Minister Christie on Ministry of Grand Bahama
By LeLedra Marche, The Freeport News
May 11, 2012 - 12:16:17 PM

The Freeport News (May 11, 2012): With plans to create a new ministry for Grand Bahama to meet its "unique challenges," Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said it is the party's vision to ensure the island has representation. 

The new ministry is intended to bring intense focus to turning Grand Bahama's economy around.

"The whole idea is to make Grand Bahama one of the most fascinating and explosive islands in the entire Bahamas and one of the envied places in the world," he told The Freeport News.

The Member of Parliament elect for West Grand Bahama and Bimini explained that Grand Bahama is a very peculiar and unique island.

"Because of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement you have created a city within a country and another capital within The Bahamas," he said.

"So what you have to do is find a balance because you have to ensure that there remains growth and development in Freeport, but the underdevelopment of the east and west of Freeport is a serious issue."

Wilchcombe noted that finding a balance for the entire island will be key to its survival.

"We have to now ensure that there is equity on the one hand and then we have to create a relationship with those at the (Grand Bahama)?Port Authority and others to ensure that we're able to begin the promotion of tourism the way it ought to be done," he said.

Additionally, he said, the new PLP government must also focus on the promotion of the financial sector and address the energy issues as well as those that will cause the creation of jobs and improve the standard of living for residents east and west of Freeport.

Wilchcombe, who was returned on Monday as the representative for West Grand Bahama and Bimini during the 2012 general election which lead to the party's return to power, said the goal in Grand Bahama was to win all five seats.

While they fell short in gaining two of them, Wilchcombe said he is eager to get to work.

Along with his portfolio as representative for the west, came his appointment as Minister of Tourism yesterday.

Top on his agenda is the renaming of a portion of the highway in the west, which begins at Bartlett Hill and runs to West End, the Lynden Pindling Highway so that it connects with the Warren J. Levarity Highway.

"Warren J. Levarity, one of the greatest Bahamian politicians, did so much for infrastructural development," he said.

"I want the highway that runs from Bartlett Hill, which is still named Queen's Highway, to be changed to the Sir Lynden Pindling Highway. Again, we're presenting a revolutionary change."

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