Foreign Affairs Minister: I Will Never Stop Advocating for Grand Bahamians

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell pulling no punches as he stressed the importance of the matter between the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the government being resolved.

On Wednesday, Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard questioned why is Mitchell so involved in the ongoing dispute as it is not part of his ministerial portfolio.

As it is the second-largest economic center in the country, Mitchell says that makes it his business.

The Davis administration and the GBPA have been locked in a contentious back and forth over the future of Freeport which reached a boiling point when the government demanded $300 million within 30 days or face arbitration.

The GBPA has since said they don’t owe the government a dollar. In a statement they also said they believe the demand is an effort to force the St. Geroge and Hayward families to sell their 50 percent equity in the port.

Pintard says the public spat is causing more harm than good. Mitchell said the legal matter has been turned into a media circus.

Among other downfalls, Mitchell said the Grand Bahama has seen a nine percent decrease in GDP while other islands grow. He said something needs to be done.