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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Communication to Parliament on the historic Meeting of The Bahamas Cabinet held in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 by The Honourable Dr. Michael R. Darville, Member of Parliament for Pineridge & Minister for Grand Bahama, delivered on Wednesday, July 29, 2015:
Mr. Speaker,
On Tuesday, July 28, 2015 the Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, for the second time in Bahamian history, held its Meeting of the Cabinet outside the capital island. The first non-New Providence Cabinet session took place in Marsh Harbour, Abaco in October, 2012.
Prior to the start of this meeting, the Cabinet Ministers, led by the country’s leader, the Rt. Honourable Perry Christie, convened in Eight Mile Rock, which is the largest settlement of Grand Bahama Island, to commission the Fire Sub-Station there. Following this ceremony, the delegation gathered at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, where a closed Cabinet session was held.
Mr. Speaker,
This historical meeting was held on the island of Grand Bahama for the purpose of addressing important issues relative to the city of Freeport, in particular and Grand Bahama Island, generally.
The Cabinet’s agenda included discussions on the future growth and development of the Grand Bahama economy within the context of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement Tax Exemption Amendment Bill 2015, which was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
Further and as promised in the communication by the Right Honourable Member for Centreville from the floor of the House on July 22, 2015 the government engaged in high level dialogue and negotiations with the executives of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Grand Bahama Development Company, Hutchison Port Holdings, and the Hawksbill Creek Agreement Review Committee. Additionally, the Cabinet met with other key stakeholders from the Grand Bahama Shipyard, The Freeport Container Port and Graham Thompson and Company Law firm.
Mr. Speaker,
The Cabinet on this occasion reviewed the impact and performance of the following existing projects on the island of Grand Bahama:
Hotel bookings at Memories Resort as well as seats sold on Sunwing airlines summer program, with direct flights from six U.S. cities;
Renovations at the Lighthouse Point hotel, which will add another 200 rooms to the island’s hotel room inventory
The proposed new cruise port by Carnival Cruise Lines
The cruise ship industry with the re-introduction of the Grand Celebration and Balearia;
The $250 million expansion at the Freeport Container Port
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) proposed maritime training school, who plan to hire Bahamians on board their cruise vessels.
The expansion of the Deep Water Cay Resort in East Grand Bahama;
The thriving Okyanos Heart Institute stem cell regime
The Ginn Sur Mer development in West Grand Bahama
Mr. Speaker,
Gollowing the series of meetings, a Press Conference was held at the Grand Lucayan Resort, where the Right Honourable Member for Centreville, The Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Minister of Finance, reiterated the government’s decision to extend the tax exemption provisions of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which are set to expire on August 4, 2015, for a six month period.
In his press statement, the Honourable Member for Centerville acknowledged the imminent expiration date of the concessions being reviewed under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and noted that this was the perfect “opportunity for this administration to secure a comprehensive set of new arrangements aimed at spurring economic development in Grand Bahama, while simultaneously increasing Grand Bahama’s contribution to net fiscal receipts on a fairer and more equitable basis, having regard to interests of The Bahamas as a whole.”
The Honourable Member for Centreville also took the opportunity to express the government’s gratitude to the Hawksbill Creek Review Committee who provided this administration with a set of comprehensive recommendations, which will aid in the deliberations and negotiating process on the sustainability and longer term economic future of Freeport in particular, and Grand Bahama Island, in general.
Mr. Speaker,
This historic Cabinet meeting was also held on Grand Bahama to give full attention to some of the capital works projects that I outlined in my budget communication to this Honourable Chamber last month. Three out of the four contracts signed yesterday, were specifically awarded to Grand Bahamians for capital works on the island of Grand Bahama; while the fourth contract was awarded to the island of Bimini.
These contracts, awarded through the Ministries of Housing, Labour and National Insurance as well as the Ministry of Works, are significant and beneficial for Bahamians in the Northern Bahamas and will create approximately three hundred (300) jobs.
Mr. Speaker,
The contract signings included:
A storage facility at the C.A. Smith Complex on East Mall Drive;
Renovations to the Farmer’s Market;
The establishment of an additional thirty-six (36) homes;
An administrative complex on the island of Bimini
Mr. Speaker,
The residents of Grand Bahama can look forward to these other projects which will come on stream prior to the end of this fiscal year:
A new high school for West Grand Bahama;
A new and elevated causeway to replace the Fishing Hole Road;
A sea wall at Smith’s Point to prevent further coastal erosion; and
The expansion of a critical care section and new kitchen facilities at the Rand Memorial Hospital, prior to the launch of National Health Insurance in January, 2016.
Mr. Speaker,
Prior to the close of business day, the Cabinet converged to East Settler’s Way, for a ground breaking ceremony of the new state of the art complex, the contract for which was awarded last month.
Mr. Speaker,
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to address the residents of Grand Bahama and to stress that this administration will continue to embrace the innovative spirit of the Bahamian people by putting forth policies that can deliver real results and that empower individuals, families, job creators and our communities to build a stronger, more secure future.
Mr. Speaker,
I would also like to reiterate that the six month extension for certain tax provisions under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement is necessary to enable a detailed analysis and further consultation, particularly and specifically to create a platform or a foundation for Grand Bahama to have a better opportunity to realize its full potential, in the national interest of all Bahamians.
Mr. Speaker,
I am optimistic about the fact that many of Grand Bahama’s pressing needs are now being addressed and this administration is now in a better position to solve many of the country’s long standing challenges, particularly in Grand Bahama.
Finally, Mr. Speaker,
The year 2015 will indeed be an exciting year for Grand Bahama Island. Over the next few months we anticipate expansion in our industrial, maritime and touristic sectors which will create more entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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