The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT - The new $20 million government complex was named in honor of Cornelius A Smith and was opened by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on Friday.

Mr Ingraham said Mr Smith has made significant contributions to the national development of the Bahamas.

"The decision by the Government to name this magnificent Government complex in his honour was a natural one in recognition of CA's immense contribution to national development," he said.

The Prime Minister also announced that the first government complex, which was built several years ago, has also been named in honor of former FNM West End MP Harold R Degregory.

The new complex, which comprises some 65,000 sq ft, now houses the Customs and Immigration Departments, Passport Office, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance and its ITU Section.

Mr Smith thanked Mr Ingraham for the recognition.

"I accept this honor on behalf of my family; my wife Shirley and children," he said.

Cornelia Smith also paid tribute to her father, who dedicated his life to public service; as an educator, senior revenue officer at the customs department, as an MP and Cabinet Minister, and currently as the Bahamian Ambassador to the US.

"I hope this building stand as a testimony of the life my father lived in uplifting others," she said.

Although Smith was born in Long Island, Mr Ingraham said he was truly a son of Grand Bahama, through his dedication to the people of Freeport and the people of Grand Bahama.

"We honour CA for his service to The Bahamas, most especially so for his service in public and governmental affairs. More recently he entered the arena of international diplomacy as our Ambassador to the United States and concurrently as non-resident Ambassador to Mexico, Columbia and Malaysia and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the Organisation of American States," said the Prime Minister.

CA entered front-line politics and was elected to the House of Assembly for the first time as the representative for Marco City in 1982, which was renamed in 1987 for Pine Ridge. He won re-election to the House on four successive occasions between 1982 and 2002.

Ingraham appointed Smith to his first Cabinet in 1992 as Minister of Education. He also later served as Minister of Public Safety and Immigration, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Transport and Local Government.

"He was a valued member of my team; trusted and dependable," Mr Ingraham said.

The Prime Minister said that he had always held a keen interest in creating a physical presence of the Government in Freeport.

"That is why, 25 years ago as a young Minister I caused the first government administrative complex - the NIB Building - to be constructed here in Freeport," he said.

Following the election of the first FNM government in 1992, they constructed the former BaTelCo Administrative Complex on the Mall, the Justice Complex, five schools, a Police Headquarters for the Northern Bahamas and Police Accommodations.

The Prime Minister said he believes that it is important to memorialise those who have made significant contributions to development of Freeport.

The government named two high schools after Edward St George and Sir Jack Hayward who played pivotal roles in the growth and development of Freeport.

"That is why the first primary school constructed by us in honour of Hugh Campbell a legendary educator who coincidentally was the school principal who made the exception allowing me to begin school in Pineridge at age four notwithstanding that the official school entry age was six at that time.

"And that was why we subsequently named a new primary school in honour of Maurice Moore, one of the first 18 Members elected to the House of Assembly in 1967 when the Old Guard was changed and a new beginning commenced for The Bahamas," Mr Ingraham said.

He noted that in this term of office the government recognised the special contribution of Sr. Mary Patricia Russell, a stalwart Roman Catholic educator for her contribution to the development of Freeport, naming the new junior high school in her honor.

Mr Ingraham also pointed out that the Justice Centre constructed on FNM's watch has been named in honour of Garnett Levarity; the Northern Police Headquarters in honor Gerard Bartlett for his outstanding career in the police force which culminated in his appointment as Commissioner of Police.

He also noted that the new highway leading into Eight Mile Rock was named in honour of Warren J. Levarity, another of the first group of 18 first elected in 1967.

"And of course that is why today we unveiled a plaque naming the government administrative complex which houses the Office of the Prime Minister in honour of Mr Harold Randolph DeGregory. Harold DeGregory was a distinguished son of West End, Grand Bahama, successful businessman, and former Member of Parliament for Grand Bahama and Bimini."

The new government complex was built by Fletcher McIntosh of FES Construction and James Edgecombe. Donald Dean of the Architect Incorporate was the architect.

"We budgeted $20 million and we spent $20 million," Mr Ingraham said.

The funds were provided through a loan to the government by the National Insurance Board.

"In creating this Centre, my Government is sending a clear statement of intent. Freeport is proudly the nation's second city. But it is also decidedly more.

"Freeport is the central artery for Grand Bahama, which we envision as the major hub in The Bahamas for marine and maritime services, industrial development, international logistics, light manufacturing, various creative industries and other commercial enterprises and a major employment centre," said Mr Ingraham.