Speaking with the Bahama Journal on Thursday, the executive administrators of the development confirmed that agreements for the installation of the necessary infrastructure are almost complete.
Executive Technical Administrator Nathaniel Edgecombe said that the provisions for the utility services could be finalized within weeks.
“There are no types of basic infrastructure on Crab Cay,” Mr. Edgecombe said. “We have been in meetings with the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, Bahamas Telecommunications Company and Water and Sewerage Corporation to ensure that these services are put in place expeditiously.”
Mr. Edgecombe said once all of the services are available the on site construction work will begin.
“The immediate challenge is to get the general infrastructure planned and coordinated,” he said. “We also are finalizing drawings for the various villas and sample of private homes and one of the major restaurants, the marina and the bridge to connect Exuma to Crab Cay.”
Peter Galanos, another executive administrator for the development recognized that when developing an island and linking it to another body of land there would be environmental concerns.
He said the project was somewhat delayed while such concerns were addressed.
“We had to do everything to protect the environment,” Mr. Galanos said. “We did not want to rush the work to the detriment of the environment, but the environmental issues have been ironed out.”
Ground was broken for the construction of the eco-sensitive resort on August 7.
The development will include 54 upscale market residences to be constructed on waterfront lots; a 20-room villa-style 5 star hotel; a marina with a minimum of 50 slips; restaurants; swimming pool; cabanas; tennis courts; a marina clubhouse; shops and utility services; a reverse osmosis desalination plant and other amenities.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, during the announcement of the multimillion-dollar investment earlier this year, said that such investments will boost economic activities and help the government meet its obligations, like the commitment to pay civil servants the salary adjustments.
According to Mr. Christie, the government is moving ahead with an infrastructure development plan for Exuma to support the resurgence of the island’s economy.
The prime minister said the Crab Cay developers are committed to assisting in the training of Bahamians to ensure that there are enough skilled workers available for the project.
North Carolina developer, Pete Murphy, at the time stressed that his company is committed to carrying out its investment in an environmentally friendly manner.
Mr. Murphy, who has been visiting The Bahamas for more than 30 years, announced that he intends to create 300 jobs during construction of the project and 600 permanent jobs.
By Yvette Rolle-Major, The Bahama Journal
