National

Foreign Affairs Min. Accuses GBPA of Neglect

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Minister of Foreign Affairs is calling on the GBPA to live up to their end of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

Published

11 months ago

June 8, 2023

Megan Shepherd

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Philip Davis in his budget communication saying that the time has come for decisive action as it relates to the Grand Bahama Port Authority. Well, that statement sending Rupert Hayward to the media, announcing that his family will be selling 50 percent of their stake in the GBPA. And now, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is calling on the GBPA to live up to their end of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

Member of Parliament for Fox Hill, Fred Mitchell, saying the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, signed in 1955, established a set of mutual agreements which involved the Grand Bahama Port Authority maintaining the city of Freeport, promoting investment, and building certain infrastructure projects.

He says the government is to provide services to the city and the GBPA is to reimburse the government. But, according to Mitchell, that has not been happening.

Mitchell also noting a lingering fear on the island of Grand Bahama…

He questioned why Rupert Hayward would take his issues to the public, adding that the evidence is on the ground as it relates to the current state of the island.

Mitchell calling it a minimalist argument.