The Christie administration believes that forming a strong partnership with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is paramount to the island’s economic recovery and according to the newly appointed Minister of Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville, the task of strengthening that relationship has already begun.
Under the previous administration the relationship between the government and the GBPA was at times tumultuous.
The relationship was further soured after then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced back in 2009 that the work permit of Hannes Babak, the former chairman of GBPA, would not be renewed, although Mr. Ingraham failed to explain why.
Dr. Darville, who was also recently elected the Member of Parliament for Pineridge, foresees a more amicable and productive relationship between the new administration and GBPA.
“We intend to work very closely with the GBPA; we intend to find out if the main partners are interested in selling and we would facilitate those sales but ultimately we intend to work closely with them to establish programmes for economic growth for investment and to also join with them as we promote Grand Bahama as both East and West Grand Bahama become a part of the duty free zone,” he said.
Working to revive Grand Bahama’s prolonged ailing economy was among the top pledges of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) during the heated campaign trail and with his first Cabinet session completed, Dr. Darville said he is ready to hit the ground running.
Dr. Darville has laid out job creation as his top focus as the minister of Grand Bahama.
“I had an opportunity to get an overview of the state of affairs on Grand Bahama as it relates to both crime and the economy, Dr. Darville said.” Grand Bahama is one of the places hit the hardest by the global recession and we are prepared to work and streamline and get our country back on the right economic pathway.”
“The people in Grand Bahama are hurting and we intend to do what is necessary to revive the economic state in Grand Bahama and provide sustainable jobs.”
The minister said while he has a mammoth task ahead of him, he is confident that he and the team he has assembled to assist him, will be able to get the job done.
