GBPA Responds To Population Push

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – As billions in investments pour into Grand Bahama, there is a renewed call for Grand Bahamians to come home.

Nakira Wilchcombe – VP, Billing & Development Services, GBPA

“I know it is hard work, I know that we have a dedicated team, We would love to see more, and so we [shouldn’t] rest on our laurels because there’s so much more to be done,” she said.

It’s a small team with a big job, five departments under the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s Billing and Development Services Division are working to keep Freeport clean, functional, and future ready.

Vice President Nakira Wilchcombe says it’s a mission they don’t take lightly.

Even though we are representing a private entity, there’s certainly a lot of public sentiment…[that want] to know that we are working for the people,” Wilchcombe said.

With Carnival’s Celebration Key opening in just weeks and a new Grand Lucayan resort on the horizon, billions in investment are flowing into Freeport…with [an] expectation of a growing population.

However, is the city ready?

“One of the things that’s great about the city is that we had forefathers that did a lot of planning and zoning. These areas are prepped and ready to be utilized.”

“As the city grows, we have to look at road traffic, infrastructure, but much was done in the early days to accommodate a larger population,” Wilchcombe said.

Even though more people means more economic activity, it also means more trash and more wear and tear, but even so, Wilchcombe says they’re ready.

“With more people comes more issues and so we are definitely cognizant of that, and we are prepared to increase our staffing if that is necessary.“

“I have to reiterate we want the people, and so we will have to figure it out how we can manage both people and the issues that come with an increased population,” Wilchcombe said.