National

MPs Trade Insults Over Plans For $290 Million Hospital

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It was a war of words as parliamentarians debated a resolution to approve 1.35 acres of land to the owners of the Medi Center to construct a health facility.

Published

6 months ago

May 15, 2024

Delvardo Emmanuel

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It was a war of words as parliamentarians debated a resolution to approve 1.35 acres of land to the owners of the Medi Center to construct a health facility.

But the debate took a turn when former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis criticized the government’s $290 million deal for a new hospital to be funded by the China Export-Import Bank.

Dr. Minnis said the PLP was desperate to find financing for the facility, saying they should’ve continued with plans his administration left in place.

But Dr. Michael Darville has a different tale. In defending the government’s plan, Darville said the former administration had no plan.

The new facility will be built on 50 acres of land. The Davis administration is eyeing a September groundbreaking for the facility, with the bank to fully fund its construction via a 20-year loan at an interest rate of 2 percent.

Dr. Minnis also hit out at the financier.

Dr. Darville, however, quickly hit back, stating that while Chinese concessional loan funding is usually tied in with Chinese construction, it will be tied in with Bahamian labor.

Dr. Minnis is calling on the Davis administration to reveal the details of the agreement with the China Export-Import Bank and is hitting out at the location where the new hospital will be constructed.