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Last Updated: Mar 24, 2017 - 1:53:56 AM |
Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by Deputy Prime Minister, Philip 'Brave' Davis:
Another day in the House of the Assembly, another chair left empty by FNM leader Hubert Minnis.
His latest no-show performance is a clear indication that he is avoiding all possibility of being exposed as unable to defend his misstatements on matters of national importance.
Today, the Prime Minister shared with colleagues that an important milestone has been realized with the handover of facilities at Baha Mar by the general contractor to the new owner. The handover will ensure adequate preparations for the smooth opening next month on April 21st of the following components of this world class resort:
· The new 1800 room Grand Hyatt combining both the Convention and Casino Hotels
· The new 200,000 square foot Convention Centre, one of the largest such facilities in the Region, to be operated by Hyatt
· The new 95,000 square foot casino, the largest casino in the region
· The new 18 hole Jack Nicklaus Golf Course
· The new luxurious spa, racquet club, enticing restaurants, and entertainment, attractive branded shops set in 60,000 square feet of retail space, and other amenities
It is significant that in this handover, Baha Mar is being transferred to a world class company – one that successfully owns and manages prestigious hotels across the world, including elsewhere in the Caribbean. Apart from the more than four billion dollars already invested in the project, the new Purchaser has significantly increased their capital, marketing and pre-opening investment from $200 million to $250 million.
The progress leading up to the April 21st phased opening of the Baha Mar resort is real and exciting. The project is abuzz with bustle and activity. New employees are coming in for training, things are moving forward all on course not only for the initial opening on April 21st, but timely completion of other components of the project in phased openings by SLS and Rosewood in the ensuing months. These prestigious operators and brands will be joining Hyatt and CTF Enterprises with outstanding and impactful additions to our tourism product and the economy of The Bahamas.
If Minnis had come to Parliament, he would have been asked to pay particular attention to this portion of the Prime Minister’s remarks: “Over one thousand (1000) Bahamians have already been hired at Baha Mar and fifteen hundred (1500) employees will be hired by the April 21st opening. Baha Mar, like Atlantis will then open in phases – with more job opportunities at every phase. No one knows better than I do how these jobs will change lives – these new opportunities are going to bring meaningful change for a lot of Bahamian families. That is why we have worked so hard to make sure Baha Mar was delivered to successful and safe hands.”
These are the facts in the real world, not in the alternative fact-free reality that Minnis has constructed to serve his political needs.
He has disgusted Bahamians, who wonder how he could be rooting against the creation of thousands of jobs so badly needed by so many families.
I asked Minnis’ FNM colleagues to fill him in on the day’s developments — they, at least, had the courage to show up.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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