The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE newly-commenced development of marina residences at Albany, a luxury resort in south-west New Providence, is set to create an extra 650 jobs for Bahamians, bringing the total number of jobs available at the resort to more than 1,000.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference to announce the development, managing partner Christopher Anand called the occasion “a landmark day.”

He explained that Albany and the government’s commitment to hiring Bahamians dates back to nearly a decade ago when the stately community was first conceptualised.

Prime Minister Perry Christie was also present yesterday for the job creation announcement, which he called a “very, very important development” for the country.

“One of the things the Prime Minister and I agreed, seven and a half years ago, is that we were committed to hiring Bahamians. Not only Bahamian people to build Albany, but Bahamian people to operate Albany,” Mr Anand said.

“Our motto is different. We don’t hire management agencies like the Marriott (or) the Hilton and they bring in all kinds of foreign labour and they manage their properties driven by revenue goals. This is our place, the owners operate Albany and we know the right thing to do is to invest locally to turn the workforce that we have today into the best in the world.

“That’s the only sustainable model. It’s not to bring in Germans and Americans and English people for two years to get you stabilized and figure it out. That’s never a philosophy we bought into and we’ve been true to that, to this day.”

Albany currently has 250 construction workers of which more than 90 per cent are Bahamian, as well as 275 full-time operation employees of which 97 per cent are Bahamian, according to Mr Anand.

“We are here today to announce the creation of another 650 jobs of which I have no doubt over 90 per cent of them will be Bahamian,” he said. “As this gets going and more people start to buy in here, we will unfold the other phases. We anticipate that starting also imminently, so we will have 1,000 people working here over the next several years around this marina area.”

Also speaking yesterday, Prime Minister Christie – whom Mr Anand called “the father of the Albany project” – noted the building of the marina residences shows a “renewed confidence” in the Bahamian economy and will aid in attracting “world class investors.”

“Today,” Mr Christie announced at the press conference, “we reach an important milestone for Albany and The Bahamas, as we break ground on the Marina residences at Albany, truly a unique concept that has never before been executed to this level in The Bahamas. This important second phase of construction at Albany is a terrific vote of confidence for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

He praised Albany for their continued success in selling properties, ranging in price from $2 million to $20 million, during the “challenging” economic times.

“The sales success that Albany has experienced is also a resilient validation of our wonderful country and its international appeal,” Mr Christie said. “The impact of this $1.3 billion project goes far beyond Albany with a multiplier effect in the Bahamian community. The rich and famous of the world who will find haven at Albany, will also be exposed to the rest of The Bahamas. Many of these discerning residents would also be attracted to make their own investments elsewhere in our beautiful country.”

He also praised Albany for the creation of 650 jobs to combat the country’s “vexing” unemployment rate.

The Prime Minister also hinted to the press of potential future investments.

“I expect this to be an indicator of what’s going to take place in the country,” he said. “We are working very hard now on further developments that we expect hopefully in the not too distant future to speak about.”

Upon completion, Albany will comprise between 450 and 600 residential and resort units, an 18-hole championship golf course and golf clubhouse, a world class marina for mega yachts up to 240 feet, shops and cafes, a spa, fitness centre, equestrian centre, tennis course, an expansive water recreational facility, a beachside social and dining club among “many other amenities,” according to Mr Christie.