Several of the country’s most prominent spiritual leaders have come together to give the government kudos for its involvement in the imminent opening of the beleaguered multi-billion dollar Baha Mar Resort.

In a joint statement Bishop Simeon B. Hall, Senior Pastor Emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church; Bishop Ross Davis, Senior Pastor of Golden Gates World Outreach Centre; Bishop Victor Cooper Senior Pastor New Bethany Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Philip McPhee Senior Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church lauded the government’s efforts

“The Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the administration are to be commended for working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the imminent opening of BahaMar.

“The prayers of the naysayers have been nullified and 5,000 Bahamians stand the chance of gainful and meaningful employment.

“Right thinking Bahamians do not care about the irrelevant aspects of the politics involved. Moreover, the false and misleading logic that a Baha Mar employee will lean towards a certain political party is a non sequitur. Those who will be employed ought not have to answer as to who they are inclined to vote for.

“Thank God for those who will be employed and add a much needed economic boost to their lives and to the Bahamian economy.

“We believe that the time has come for us to take the focus away from our personal interests and focus squarely on the nation’s goals and efforts.”

The resort last week received its temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) from the government, paving the way for up to 1,000 rooms to open for Baha Mar’s April 21 soft launch.

Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE), a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, took ownership of the resort last year and committed to a phased opening.

The resort will comprise of the Grand Hyatt, the SLS Lux and Rosewood.

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe has described it as “the greatest tourism development in The Bahamas in the last 20 years”.

Baha Mar is expected to attract an additional 315,000 air passengers annually to The Bahamas.