By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Staff Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
EAST Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson raised questions about the fate of a previously announced Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the redevelopment of Grand Bahama International Airport following Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ announcement over the weekend that the airport and the Grand Lucayan sale are now part of a single deal.
Mr Thompson questioned whether the government had abandoned the PPP plan altogether and, if so, why. He said the lack of transparency surrounding the shift raises further doubts about the government’s handling of the long-delayed projects.
“Now,” he said in a statement, “based on the prime minister’s remarks, is the Grand Lucayan deal supposed to include the airport? Have two distinct deals now become one? If so, what happened to the previously announced Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the airport, and why did it fail? This government’s constant lack of transparency only fuels public distrust.”
His comments came in response to the prime minister’s announcement at the Progressive Young Liberals Conclave on Saturday in Grand Bahama.
Mr Davis told supporters that the government and a developer were in final negotiations on a deal that would include both the sale of the Grand Lucayan and the airport’s redevelopment, two projects previously considered separate.
In April 2022, the government announced a PPP initiative for the airport, and Mr Davis later said The Bahamas had secured $200 million in funding for its redevelopment. Mr Thompson said the prime minister’s latest remarks raise serious questions about whether that plan has now been scrapped or was never viable in the first place.
He also criticised the Progressive Liberal Party for holding a conclave in Grand Bahama while “failing” to deliver “real results” for the island’s residents.
“We don’t need more speeches and photo ops — we need real action,” she said. “Where is the new airport? Where is the Grand Lucayan deal?”
Mr Thompson further accused the government of being out of touch with the struggles of Grand Bahamian residents, pointing to rising living costs and failing infrastructure.
Comments
birdiestrachan 1 week, 4 days ago
Thompson is out of touch. The FNM had the chance to sell the hotel they bought it they became real estate agents. They could not sell it then the took on the airport the GBPA is responsible for the airport. BUGGS BUNNY TALK SENSE
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