NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey told Parliamentarians that a new hospital with an Oncology Center, in Grand Baham, is on its way with ground to be broken in the coming weeks.

Making her presentation to the mid-year Budget in the House of Assembly on Monday, March 6, 2023, the Grand Bahama Minister updated the House on a number of achievements and government accomplishments as Grand Bahama island continues to recover from back-to-back crises and setbacks.

Minister Moxey noted that she recently toured the facility of the Equinor terminal at South Riding Point that has been purchased by Liwathon. She was happy to announce that all of the employees of that oil storage and distribution company have been retained by the new owners, and plans for the $75 - $90 million redevelopment are well on the way.  

“For the Carnival Grand Port, the 'clear and grub' has been completed; dredge is in progress at 55%; with completion expected 1st May 2023,” said Minister Moxey. “The pier design and build Request For Proposal is pending award this month; the landside contractor Request for Information or Request for Quote is opened and published.

“The process for determining the site engineer and general manager is currently in progress; final reviews of Food & Beverage vendors are in progress, and should be awarded in Mid-March; and the masterplan is being finalized for early summer.  

“Also, the Grand Bahama Shipyard is well on its way to having its two new dry-docks that should be operational towards the end of 2025 and 2026. Water’s Cay Dock design work and scope has been completed and work should begin once the tender process is completed. The Member of West Grand Bahama and Bimini is happy today, as the Administrator's Complex and Magistrate’s Court in Eight Mile Rock is complete, and currently being outfitted.”

Other accomplishments on Grand Bahama by the government, include advancing the construction of the Holmes Rock Primary School to its final stages, with a scheduled date for completion in August 2023. The school is expected to be filled with students in September of this year.  

Minister Moxey pointed out that the design work for a new Police Station in West End is currently in progress and the long-awaited renovation to the Eight Mile Rock Gymnasium is now mobilized.  

“And, we are working closely with the Members of Central and South Eleuthera, North Andros and the Berry Islands, and Southern Shores on the Grand Bahama Arts & Craft Center, Farmer’s Market Downtown, and Sunset Village Fish Fry Eight Mile Rock.”

Minister Moxey said the residents of Grand Bahama continue to push through the lingering effects of Hurricane Dorian and a worldwide pandemic, with great fortitude. She said she’s reminded daily of the hardships the people of Grand Bahama have endured, yet they continue to display unwavering strength.  

She noted that the policies implemented by the Davis administration are working and the country is headed in the right direction. The Grand Bahama Minister said it was a policy shift that created a new unit called COLLAB, under which “Beautiful Grand Bahama” was formed. That project, according to Minister Moxey did more than just restore the physical beauty of Grand Bahama, but it was the catalyst to the restoration of many Grand Bahamians in their personal, financial lives.

“The $5.8 million variation in Head 74 of the budget represents 350 individuals who had not worked since Dorian, who did not know where the next meal would come from or how they would feed their families,” Minister Moxey told Parliament. “This $5.8 million represents immediate relief. It represents compassionate leadership; leadership with a heart, or better yet, a passion for the people.”

The Grand Bahama Minister informed Parliament of government activities in east Grand Bahama, to bring about restoration there, after devastation by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. 

“I am truly encouraged by the economic activity that has been generated on Grand Bahama and the nation at large, as a result of the strategic policy initiatives that have been implemented by this administration, demonstrating that we are indeed open for business,” said Minister Moxey.

“Airlift has increased; cruise ships are coming in… and yes we need more, but they are coming. With the Carnival Grand Port moving full steam ahead, we will see even more in the future. Downtown Freeport is once again alive, with the opening of Solomon’s food store.  Junkanoo, festivals, sporting and other events have returned with a bang. Construction is on the rise. There’s definitely a buzz in the air.  

“The island is still navigating the road to recovery, and admittedly, many residents are slowly progressing through the rebuilding phase; however, no one can deny that we are so, so much better off than we were 18 months ago.”