Prime Minister Christie led a delegation of Cabinet Ministers and government officials on a site tour of expanding Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club development on Great Guana Cay, Abaco, April 23 – one of the stops of which was the Baker’s Bay hydroponics farm. (BIS Photos/Peter Ramsay)
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GREAT GUANA CAY, Abaco – Prime Minister the
Rt. Hon. Perry Christie led a delegation of Cabinet Ministers and government
officials on a tour of Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club, April 23. During the visit, Mr. Christie met with the
principal and some key stakeholders of the development. He said that he has been advised that an additional
250 Bahamians will be employed in construction of the expanding resort: the
move was necessary in order to meet the demand for skilled workers, which
exceeds the capacity of the local Bahamian workforce and local specialty
subcontractors. He said that Bahamians actually make up 94% of all construction
jobs and vast majority of full-time operational jobs.
“Employment is projected to expand from the
current 796 construction and operational jobs to 911 by year end,” he said. “Of the 34 Bahamian construction companies
employed here, 27 of them are local Abaconian companies.”
Prime Minister Christie said that Discovery
Land Company (principals of Baker’s Bay) has ‘prioritized’ employing and
contracting Bahamians both in construction and operations.
The Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers also had a chat with Baker’s Bay member legendary basketball star Michael Jordan. (BIS Photos/Peter Ramsay)
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“The Discovery Land Company, headed by its
Chairman and CEO Michael S. Meldman, has created the Baker’s Bay high-end
residential resort, golf course and marina, which serves as a model of success
in the Family Islands for ultra-luxury property owners and visitors,” said Mr.
Christie.
Apart from the extensive club, golf course,
marina facilities, amenities and infrastructure, 48 high-end residences were
completed over the last two years. Currently, 35 homes are under construction
at a cost of $150 million and another 30 are coming on stream this year. Ninety
additional residences are forecast for 2016 and 2017.
During the site visit, Prime Minister
Christie and his delegation toured several areas, including the proposed fuel
dock, employee housing, BEC power substation, new Atlantic Club restaurant
(which provided an additional 50 jobs for Bahamians at opening), Baker’s Bay
hydroponics farm, and several multi-million dollar homes under construction.