Prime Minister, Dr. Hubert Minnis, on Friday visited Andros where he shared plans to set up an office there, as well as what the government has in store for young Androsians.

“For young people we would be establishing an entrepreneurship programme [with] five million dollars a year put aside for young people in The Bahamas.

“Five million dollars a year over the next five years, that’s 25 million dollars and Andros will get its share of that,” Minnis said.   

He also mentioned his personal commitment to address the cry of young Androsians to have a home of their own. 

“One of the things we would do is identify land within Andros. We would establish proper subdivisions with all the infrastructure after which we would ensure that our young people have access to affordable land so that they can build their various homes,” he said.

Dr. Minnis also acknowledged the fact that the family islands deserve the same facilities and education opportunities as those in New Providence.

“I recognize that we could not provide doctors and nursing personnel for every island, but each deserve proper facilities just like New Providence,” Minnis said. 

“We had embarked on a programme here in Andros, the Telemedicine programme which was well established within our clinic. 

“Unfortunately, the programme had subsequently broken down, but we [will] establish that again, so that you would have adequate health facilities and be seen appropriately by health specialists in New Providence, without you having to travel to New Providence.”

A key plank of the FNM’s election campaign was the promise to provide free education for family islanders attending The University of The Bahamas, in New Providence, to lessen the expense on their parents.

The Prime Minister said apart from Andros, offices are also being established in Exuma and North Eleuthera. 

Dr. Minnis said he plans to visit each of the islands quarterly, ensuring that his commitments to the Family Islands are kept.