MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco — The Government of The Bahamas’s decision to “invest heavily” in major upgrades to the infrastructure of Marsh Harbour will pay dividends “of a hundred fold” to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in the future, South Abaco Member of Parliament Edison Key said Tuesday.
Mr. Key said the construction of a new, state-of-the-art community hospital in Marsh Harbour, along with the Administrative Complex (also in Marsh Harbour), and the new 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art airport terminal and control tower, augurs well for the future socio-economic growth of Abaco and the Commonwealth, as an extension.
Mr. Key joined Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham; Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis; Minister of Public Works and Utilities, the Hon. Neko Grant and senior officials from the National Insurance Board, Ministry of Health and the Department of Public Health, for the Official Contract Signing and Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the new Community Hospital which will be constructed just off the S.C. Bootle Highway in Marsh Harbour.
“The record will clearly show that we are a hard-working, industrious community spread out over a mini-archipelago,” Mr. Key said. “As a dynamo in the national economy, we make a substantial contribution to the public treasury, so it is no more than right that we are considered for a badly needed upgrade of our public facilities.
“This is especially the case when taking into consideration the fact that – besides our ever-increasing resident population – we play host to hundreds of thousands of tourists and second home owners every year.
“Therefore (investing in) facilities that our residents and visitors can have confidence in can only augur good news for the future growth and development of our Abaco and our Bahamas,” Mr. Key added.
Mr. Key said the trifecta of the community hospital, new airport facility and administration complex, is a “dream come true for Abaconians and those who visit and do business here.”
“Our new 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art airport terminal and control tower to complement our new runway, will transform Abaco International Airport into a hub for international travel,” he said.
“Facilitating ease of transport from the airport, a new thoroughfare is being created from there connecting the Sherlin Bootle (SC Bootle) Highway. This will open this area to opportunities for further development.
“Just across the way from the community hospital is our Administration Building which will serve as a one-stop facility for just about all government services. The ball is in our court. The infrastructure is being provided. The future is ours to create. I see us moving on to bigger and better things,” Mr. Key added.
Mr. Key said the construction of the state-of-the-art community hospital, which is expected to be completed in 60 weeks, will address key healthcare needs not just for the residents of Marsh Harbour, but also Dundas and Murphy Towns.
In addition to the usual services, additional services will be added, including some surgical services, telemedicine services and primary and tertiary healthcare services. The new community hospital will also be outfitted with bed space.
“We are grateful to the Government for selecting Abaco to host this state-of-the-art mini hospital. This means a lot to us in this rapidly expanding community as our medical needs oftentimes outstrip the ability of our clinics to provide, sometimes necessitating emergency flights to Nassau,” Mr. Key said.
“These are special times for residents and visitors to the Abacos. History will hail these as being among the best of times for us as we fulfill our responsibility towards providing the best services for our people,” Mr. Key added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
