The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

ADDRESSING hundreds of FNM supporters at a rally in Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham pledged to continue to upgrade infrastructure in the Family Islands to facilitate both domestic and foreign investment.

As set out in the FNM's Manifesto 2012, if re-elected Prime Minister Ingraham plans to grow Eleuthera's tourism industry through sustainable development.

He said the Back to the Island Initiative and Heritage Tourism Initiative will lead to the expansion and upgrade of the North Eleuthera Airport and the Harbour Island Dock.

"First, we are upgrading your infrastructure in order to improve your daily quality of life and to build your capacity to attract greater domestic and foreign direct investment," Mr Ingraham said.

"It is time for new thinking for Eleuthera. We want to support you and to collaborate with you in the process of building a sustainable future for all of Eleuthera - from Bannerman Town to North Eleuthera and including Harbour Island and Spanish Wells."

The Heritage Tourism Initiative is intended to create jobs, increase economic activity and increase Bahamian ownership in the country's main industry.

Through the Back to the Island Initiative, Mr Ingraham said, he wants to encourage more Eleutherans to come back home and invest their resources and talents in Eleuthera.

Mr Ingraham said his next government's goal will be to promote and support substantial expansion of Bahamian-owned tourism facilities in the Family Islands by providing promotion and marketing support, duty waivers and concessions.

Additionally, he said, incentives will be created for the development of small, environmentally friendly boutique hotels, bonefish lodges and other small quality resorts.

Strategic overseas promotions will also be conducted, targeting developers of environmentally-friendly resorts, marinas, golf courses and other amenities, Mr Ingraham said.

The Bahamas could become a model for environmentally sustainable development in small nations, Mr Ingraham said.

He said: "Rather than seeking or facilitating scores of mega tourism projects, we will cultivate an extraordinary variety of sustainable medium and small scale projects or investments owned by a dynamic mixture of Bahamians and foreign investors which will increase Bahamian ownership of the economy, boost our foreign reserves, and better protect our environment."

Throwing his support behind North Eleuthera candidate Theo Neilly, Mr Ingraham said Mr Neilly is a rising star, who as a native knows the island's needs and aspirations.

"He is community-minded and committed to protecting the environment and preserving the rich heritage of Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells," said Mr Ingraham.

"When he gets up to speak in the House of Assembly, the whole country will listen."

In addition to constructing a new six classroom block and renovating existing classrooms at the Spanish Wells All-Age School, Mr Ingraham said next term his government will improve the quality of water in Spanish Wells and Harbour Island, and construct a new community hospital and Government Administrative Centre in Eleuthera.

He added that a new subdivision will also be created in Northern Eleuthera to meet the housing needs of Lower Bogue, Upper Bogue and the Bluff area.

"We are taking Eleuthera to new heights," said Mr Ingraham.