In his announcement of a number of developments across the country, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis provided an update on the Carnival project that would bring some economic relief to Grand Bahama. 

“This evening, I am pleased to inform residents of Grand Bahama, and the entire Bahamas that the Carnival Port Development is going full speed ahead,” Dr. Minnis said last Friday, during his address at the Torchbearers Youth Convention. 

“Grand Bahama the change you asked for is about to happen!”

The Central Bank of The Bahamas’ Quarterly Economic and Financial Developments (QEFD) report indicated last month that HAL Properties Limited, the owner of Carnival Corporation, was sanctioned to develop an entertainment facility on Half Moon Cay.

This also included plans to build more facilities like a cruise pier. 

These projects and renovations are expected to cost $80 million.

On that note, the prime minister said, “Tonight, it is also my pleasure to report to the nation that the Half Moon Cay development project is also proceeding swiftly.”

Within a few weeks, Dr. Minnis added that there will be a major economic announcement for New Providence that “will provide more economic opportunities for Bahamian businesses, more jobs for construction workers and more long-term jobs.”

In an effort to fully revamp the Over-the-Hill area, the prime minister also announced that the government is aiming to provide new water connections to homes in the Over-the-Hill community without one.

He said, “It is estimated that this amounts to approximately 1,065 homes.  The estimated cost for each home is approximately $740 plus, a $115 security deposit. The total estimated cost for this component of the project for new metered connections is approximately $900,000.”

Additionally, the prime minister said new water mains are required along a number of streets to facilitate these connections. 

He added that this will cost approximately $230,000. 

“I am very pleased that the government has secured donations for both the new water connections and the new water mains that will total approximately $1 million,” he said.

The Water and Sewerage Corporation, he said, has made its first assessment and is finalizing a strategy to execute this project.