Members of the business community in Grand Bahama were given the opportunity to voice their concerns over a number of issues regarding the local economy and the current operations of the Grand Bahama Port Authority yesterday, during the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) monthly meeting.
In a serious session moderated by businessman Chris Lowe, licensees of the Grand Bahama Port Authority accused the entity of not being accountable for the development of Grand Bahama, and challenged the Government to be more involved in the growth of the local economy.
GBCC president Dr. Doswell Coakley, who was selected to answer the questions, agreed that the GBPA has an obligation to the wider community and its licensees.
“The view has always been for Grand Bahama and Freeport to progress,” added Coakley. “And this entails the tripartite approach οΎ— the Government, the Port Authority and the Chamber of Commerce.”
“We feel that the Government ought to allow its people, who reside within a consigned area to simply delegate its responsibility. Although Bahamians operate within the confines of Freeport, they are still Bahamians.”
He added that they too must be subject to the law and the Government has a responsibility to all of us as citizens and they must play a role in the governance of this part of The Bahamas, Grand Bahama particularly.
“I hold that view wholeheartedly recognizing of course that there is the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which has deep rooted legal allegations to both sides,” explained Coakley.
He assured that the GBCC is the voice of the business community and that responsibility is taken seriously.
“There are many people in Grand Bahama, particularly in the Freeport area who seem to be afraid to speak up for their right. But, be assured that there is strength in numbers and the GBCC is able and more than willing to raise the issues pertaining to you.”
Addressing another pressing concern, Coakley noted that it was speculated that there are two groups vying to purchase the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
“I am of mixed views and I’ll tell you why. I feel that because of all the concerns, if and when the time comes, I think the entity should go to Government or an agency of the Government,” Coakley said. “I feel there could be a serious danger with this governing authority being floated from hand-to-hand, and this is being done in the interest of business and profit.
“And,” added Coakley, “my considered view is that those who acquire that vested authority will be operating not necessarily in the interest of Bahamians.”
“Bahamians are those operating within the consigned and I think their motives are not what we would wish them to be. And, I think that there lies a serious concern, because you may have an upraising by the Bahamians and the younger ones in particular.”
“We all know from discourse with legal minds that the Grand Bahama Port Authority that we knew in yester-year is not the same now, it has been stripped of all its assets. It is just a shell!” stated Coakley.
“We feel that the time has come for the Government to revisit the Hawksbill Creek Agreement. A revisit, meaning for there to be a total overview of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.”
Coakley noted that it was discussed that the Agreement should be extended to the “whole” of Grand Bahama. “And we noted that the Government appointed a Commission to view the benefits, or extend like benefits of the HCA to the whole of Grand Bahama.”
By BARBARA WALKIN, Senior Freeport News Reporter
