A multi-million Sea/Air Business Centre will be developed on hundreds of acres of land between the Grand Bahama International Airport and the harbour.
Chris Gray, chief executive of Freeport Container Port, Lucayan Harbour and Grand Bahama Airport Compnay revealed that the company has plans to invest millions of dollars to develop the centre on 786 acres of property.
Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Minister of Financial Services and Investment, and Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation, were given an in-depth overview of development plans yesterday, of the Freeport Container Port, Lucayan Harbour and the Grand Baham Airport.
Edward St. George, chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority; Sir Albert Miller, Port Authority co-chairman; and Barry Malcolm, Port Authority executive vice-president were also present.
In a slide show presentation Mr. Gray pointed out that a total of about 511 Bahamians are presently employed at the three facilities.
He said there is a need for more engineers.
“The number of expatriate workers is very low,” he said.
According to future growth projections, said Mr. Gray the Bahamian workforce may increase to 686 by 2003.
The company is looking at establishing an apprenticeship programme by January 1, 2003.
Freeport Container Port, which is presently undergoing foruth pahse expansions, which include the development of an additional 30 acres of land at a cost $60 million with a completion date set for 2003.
Mr. Gray aslo reported that development projections for phase five is expected to take place between 2004 and 2006 at a cost of $85 million and phase six between 2006-2008 at a cost of $70 million.
“I firmly believe that The Bahamas will emerge as a major world maritime centre. These facilities in Freeport are providing opportunities for Bahamians never before available,” said Ms. Hanna-Martin.
By Denise Maycock, The Tribune
