The Tribune

MINISTER for Grand Bahama, Dr Michael Darville said Monday that he is excited about what is now taking place on the island.

Dr Darville was addressing the gathering at the opening of the 500-room Memories Grand Bahama Beach Resort and Casino. The featured speaker was Prime Minister, Perry Christie.

Dr Darville said, “Today marks a significant milestone in the history of Grand Bahama Island. The momentum on this island is at an all-time high as the magic is gradually coming back to the magic city.

“This special day has been highly anticipated and talked about, and as the singer and songwriter Sam Cooke sang, ‘it’s been a long, long time coming.’

“The government of the Bahamas has worked assiduously along with our partners, the Sunwing/Blue Diamond and the Hutchison Whampoa groups, to ensure that ‘change was gonna come’ to Grand Bahama Island. And it did - so, here we are today, gathered at this beautiful, all inclusive resort, to witness the fruit of our labour.

“Indeed, today is a great day in the lives of many Grand Bahamians, and I cannot express how happy I am, as the first Minister for Grand Bahama to be a part of this dynamic administration, who has turned, what seemed to be a dream for Grand Bahama into a reality,” he stated.

Dr Darville said the Sunwing/Blue Diamond group and the Ministry of Tourism are now promoting the island like never before and that as a result of their hard work, there has been a major increase in jet traffic and stop over visitors to Grand Bahama which is expected to steadily grow in the months and years ahead.

“This influx of visitors to our shores has spurred increased economic activity and optimism throughout the island as many entrepreneurs and business owners, directly and indirectly involved in the hospitality industry are reaping the rewards of our rejuvenated tourism product.

“The year 2014 is projected to be an exciting year for Grand Bahama Island. The Ministry for Grand Bahama has laid the necessary foundation to ensure that the government’s policies and programmes are tailored to the specific needs of a resurgent Grand Bahama,” he said.

The Minister noted that even though this administration’s main priority is the creation of employment opportunities, they realise they must also take the initiative to ensure that young Bahamians garner the soft skills, training and certification needed to take advantage of these new jobs.

“Therefore, I constantly reiterate the message about the importance of training our youth through public-private partnerships, because I believe in our young people and I am certain that, once given the opportunity, will ultimately make positive contributions to the growth and development of Grand Bahama; the island we love so dearly they can do well,” he said.