The FNM is transforming the infrastructure of the entire country. At Great Exuma, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has committed his administration to a multi-year plan to modernize the island’s infrastructure, improving the quality of life for Exumians, residents and visitors.
After facilitating the opening of Sandals’ flagship resort at Emerald Bay and significantly expanding direct airlift from the U.S.A. and Canada, the FNM is planning for Exuma’s future with residents, various stakeholders and planning experts. The planning will include environmental and social impact assessments to ensure that Great Exuma maintains its unique character and traditions with modern amenities that will augment its natural beauty.
The comprehensive infrastructure programme for Great Exuma includes the construction of a hospital facility to improve access to better health care and medical facilities. A new port is also being planned. Once completed it will help to spur economic growth and opportunities. The Prime Minister noted that work on the new Exuma hospital should commence this year.
To improve road transportation and further enhance Great Exuma as a tourism destination and attractive location for second-home owners, both Bahamian and non-Bahamians, a feasibility study will be undertaken for the construction of a bypass road.
Great Exuma has outgrown its main road in terms of its long term development needs. These developments include Exuma’s growing agricultural sector. The Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Larry Cartwright and the Chairman of BAIC, Mr. Edison Key and their teams in the Ministry and the Corporation deserve credit for helping to facilitate the export of onions from Exuma to Canada.
It should be noted that in their 2002 Manifesto, the PLP made the following promises to the people of Great Exuma, all of which were broken:
- Master Harbour will be fully developed to serve as a transhipment centre and customs bonded area.
- Facilities for mid-sized cruise ships.
- An appropriate hospital to serve the essential needs of the region will be built and staffed.
The Opposition also promised: “The maintenance and continued expansion of public infrastructure is a major priority…” They failed to keep this major promise in New Providence and across the country, including in Great Exuma.
Today The Bahamas and Exuma are moving in a new direction. As the Prime Minister pledged at the official opening of the new U.S. Departure Terminal at the LPIA:
“The things we build are not ends in themselves. They are the indispensable means to improve the quality of life of the Bahamian people and residents.”
The new port, hospital facility and bypass road are being built to improve the quality of life of hotel employees travelling to work, mothers receiving pre-natal and neo-natal care, farmers shipping their produce, small business people seeking to expand their businesses, among others.
Upgrading the basic infrastructure of the Islands of The Bahamas including that of Great Exuma is a core component of the FNM’s vision and plans to diversify Family Island economies and promote both domestic and foreign direct investment.
