PM PUTTING FAMILY ISLANDS AT CENTRE OF GOVERNMENT STRATEGY

NASSAU, Bahamas — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis discussed numerous Family Island tourism projects during his national address last night, hoping the developments will further dent the unemployment rate on those islands. The recent labour force survey showed the unemployment rate declined in Grand Bahama and Abaco.

Dr Minnis revealed a proposed “Tyrsoz family” project that will see $580 million invested in South Abaco for the “development of a five-star residential resort and marina which will involve the upgrade and expansion of the Sandy Point airstrip, the development of Sandy Point ferry dock as a cargo transshipment port and construction area, and the extension of Queen’s Highway in South Abaco.”

He said the government has approved a “joint venture partnership arrangement for the development of the Blue Hole Marina and Lodge in Fresh Creek which will consist of a 12-room lodge and an 80-slip marina including a bulk fuel facility.”

In Long Island, there will be a Pinder’s Bay $5 million 28-bungalow community development project at Lower Harbour, he said, adding the project will hire about 30 Bahamians during construction and nine Bahamians to operate and maintain the residential community. In the works on the island is a five-star eco-resort by Start Resort that will have 515 luxury residences, he also said.

Dr Minnis highlighted investments for Eleuthera, including: “The Philautia boutique resort hotel project in Governor’s Harbour; Disney Cruise Lines’ low-density cruise port destination at the Lighthouse Beach in Bannerman Town; Windermere Island North Community Resort; Jack’s Bay Community Resort and Davis Harbour Marine south of Rock Sound and the $4 million Harbour Island Marina and Community Resort.” http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/jan/29/pm-putting-family-islands-centre-govt-strategy/