PM: Gov’t Has Been Doing The Work of the Port Authority

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Davis administration is looking to be reimbursed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority for the millions of dollars in investment on tap for the island, secured by the government.

Prime Minister Philip Davis made the revelation in parliament as he wrapped up the 2023/2024 Budget Debate.

Section one of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement specifies that costs borne by the government for certain activities and services provided are to be reimbursed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, for amounts in excess of customs duties and emergency taxes collected. 

The prime minister stressed that a serious conversation is needed on the way forward with the GBPA. 

The prime minister says Grand Bahama lost nine percent of its GDP last year alone.

He also claims over the years, the government has been doing the port authority’s job.

This isn’t the first time the prime minister and other members of government have lashed out at the port authority, questioning its usefulness. 

He says the former Christie administration introduced a bill to monitor the Port Authority, but he says the Minnis administration did nothing.