The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday asserted that both Freeport and Grand Bahama need a Port Authority that is "progressive" and "makes things happen".

GInger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama, speaking before the weekly Cabinet meeting, said: “The Port Authority has had its fair share of challenges over the years, and the Government has always strived to work with the Port Authority. Grand Bahama has been going through so much and we need immediate relief, but we also need a Port Authority that is progressive, that is making things happen.

"The Government from day one has been communicating with the Port Authority, the shareholders of the Port Authority, to ensure that Grand Bahama is headed in the right direction. So what we want is the best for our people, for our island; we want businesses to thrive.

"And so we've been communicating with the Port to ensure that happens. Of course, there are very high level discussions that I can’t really share, but we just want what's best for Grand Bahama and we want a Port Authority that is making things happen.”

The minister reiterated the Government's disapproval of the recent water rate increase imposed by the Grand Bahama Utility Company, which was approved by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA). The decision is viewed by many as infected by a 'conflict of interest' as GB Utility is owned by the GBPA's affiliate, Port Group Ltd, which in essence means it is regulating itself with respect to the water company.

She said: “The thing about that is that the regulator regulated themselves. And so that actual agreement is something that has existed for a long time since 1955, with the signing of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, and it's one where the Grand Bahama Port Authority is the regulator with their sister company, Port Group Ltd, owning Grand Bahama Utility Company. And so there's the obvious conflict there.

"And so, of course, we do not agree with any type of increase at this time. We are still hurting, you know, businesses are trying to recover. Individuals are trying to get their lives back together. And it's been tough. And you know, the water is still not the best quality. And so we do not agree with it.

"But it happened because they happened to be the regulator. And so there's actually a case right now that's going on with [Grand Bahama Power Company] and URCA where they're trying to establish who the regulator should be, so we'll see how that plays out. But again, you know, the Government we are mainly just looking for the best interests of the people who are still trying to make ends meet.”

Mrs Moxey indicated that while the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) can demolish abandoned and vacant buildings, it must also bear the costs associated with such action.

She said: “There's been environmental by-laws that have been imposed over the many years from various administrations. And that is something that our government is reviewing right now. They're reviewing it, and we should be coming to a decision pretty soon.

"One thing, though, that I want to clarify is that there is no reason that the Port cannot demolish a structure. It's more about the cost associated, and for the Port to be able to recover the costs. So if you look at it in its completeness, the Port Authority are the city managers. And with that comes the responsibility of the maintenance of the city. And so the by-laws do not stop the Port Authority from being able to demolish a building. It's more about the cost involved. And so I just wanted to clarify that for the record.”

Mrs Moxey yesterday said "the trajectory is really good for our island, and added: “We have a lot that's going on. We have the Carnival Cruise port development that is happening, and I think we're well on the way to an early 2025 opening. We're breaking ground for the hospital today. That's exciting news. That's something that's long been in the works.

"We have the airport that's going to be redeveloped. And yes, that's happening. We're going to do that pretty soon. Of course, downtown is alive. Downtown after 25 years of basically being shut down is alive. And that's a big deal. And so with that you have a lot of events that are happening as well.”

Ms Moxey said efforts to revive Grand Bahama via the Collab: Partnerships for Development, initiative, which was formed in 2021 after the Davis administration was elected to office, were bearing fruit. She added: “Through the beautiful Grand Bahama programme, we have restored a lot of touristic sites - Coconut Fest in the east and all of the other festivals that were returned because of the work that we did through the beautiful Grand Bahama programme.

"And so there's a lot happening. We want Grand Bahama to be the home of maritime and logistics, which it is, the home of events and entertainment. We've been having a lot of events, and the home of innovation. And we believe that a lot of what is new can be piloted right here on Grand Bahama because we do have a ministry that liaises with all other ministries.

"And so we believe that we have the ‘it factor’ to be able to bring the players together to make innovative solutions for some of our our issues," Mrs Moxey continued. “We did form a new unit in the ministry called Collab: Partnerships for Development. It's a new unit that came about because of a new mandate of this ministry, which is to partner with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), businesses, other government agencies and the community at large to assist with the basic needs of residents.

"And the basic needs came about because we had hit rock bottom from Dorian. And we know we needed to rebuild and recover. And the second part of that mandate is for the growth and development of Grand Bahama. And that's where the business development and new initiatives come in. I'm excited that we are regularly meeting the individuals in the community, businesses, NGOs, to identify issues, bring the parties together, develop a framework and execute for results."