Mr. Anthony Moss, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and Member of Parliament for Exuma told a graduation class there on Friday that their island is poised for an exciting period of growth and development which was outlined in “Our Plan” the manifesto of governance of the Progressive Liberal Party.
Mr. Moss, was speaking in the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Community Centre in George Town where hundreds of Exumians gathered for the presentation of certificates for their course work in Handicraft and Souvenir production.
The Handicraft Souvenir Course was sponsored by the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation BAIC and was conducted under the auspices of the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services and Caribbean Export and is in keeping with the mandate of the Government and the mandate of BAIC to equip the Bahamian people with all of the skills and acumen needed for their fuller economic participation and empowerment.
Mr. Moss congratulated the seventy five participants who hailed from settlements all over the main land of Exuma for “their vision and zeal to learn more about their craft and their focus on obtaining all of the necessary training and business profiles which will enable their industry to grow and improve the quality of life in the southern Bahamas.
The course gave instructions in Balata, Straw and Shell Craft.
Mr. Moss said as Exuma prepares for the opening of the country’s newest resort, there is no question that opportunity is knocking at our door.
“There is no question that this opportunity will bring some changes and transformations that have never been seen here in Exuma.
“Questions will be raised as to the protection and safeguarding of our ancient, illustrious and courageous Exuma heritage, and, the priority that ought be accorded Exumians first in this new dispensation,” Mr. Moss said.
“As we Exumians sit with bated breath on the eve of the opening of The Emerald Bay Resort, Casino and Golf Course we must also prepare to equip our people with all of the necessary skills that will enable them to take full advantage of what is happening on Exuma.”
Mr. Moss reviewed “Our Plan” which he termed, “the Concordia of the PLP’s principled and solemn pledge to the people of the Bahamas held out very high expectations for Exuma.
“In OUR PLAN, the Progressive Liberal Party Government puts Exumians on notice that we are about to be taken on a well planned, organised and systematic national development strategy that will not only create decent, well paying jobs for Exumians and other Bahamians, but also give Exumians the tools to become owners in this local economy,” Mr. Moss said.
He called on Exumians to prepare to meet that challenge.
“We must prepare to embrace these opportunities and to equip our children for the new level headedness and sturdiness of character that all Exumians will need in ample measure to participate and benefit in the coming boon,” he stated.
“My friends, in OUR PLAN, the Progressive Liberal Party Government is committed to the following important development projects here on Exuma. Allow me to quote from OUR PLAN :-
1. To developing a master harbour which will serve as a transhipment centre and customs bonded area. In order to encourage the usage of this harbour the PLP Government will remove all customs duties on good shipped to the islands in the Southern Bahamas. Facilities for mid size cruise ships will be accommodated in the re-developed Harbour.
2. Elizabeth Harbour will be enhanced and will be promoted as the yachting and cruising capitol of the southern Bahamas.
3. Exuma International Airport will be further developed and promoted as the aviation hub for the southern islands.
4. A “fast ferry” service between Nassau and the Exuma Cays will be encouraged.
5. A state of the art primary school in the George Town area will be constructed early.
6. An appropriate hospital to serve the essential needs of the region will be built and staffed.
7. Support will be given to “STEP ”, the Save the Exuma Park initiative in their effort to preserve, enhance and protect the natural flora, fauna and beauty of the Exuma Land and Sea Park,” Mr. Moss declared.
Beaming with pride over the enthusiasm of the graduates, Mr. Moss said “by your enrollment and completion of this training programme you have demonstrated your yearning for more knowledge about your craft and your industry.
“For my own part I am very excited about the new opportunities that increased visitor arrivals to Exuma will have for our local crafts people.
“I know that the new technology that you have been exposed too in Balata craft, straw craft and shell craft will stand you in good stead,” he said.
