Back on August 7, Tourism Minister and Grand Bahama MP Obie Wilchcombe told the media that he planned to make an announcement “within two to three weeks” about who the government had chosen to become the new operator of the island’s sole casino at the Grand Lucayan Resort.
That “two to three weeks” time period would have put his anticipated announcement to happen by the end of August. This is now close to the end of September and that announcement has yet to be made.
Casino employees are continuing to bemoan their uncertainty and stress about their future.
Not only are the 171 Bahamians employed there still in the dark about who might be set to take over the casino and what that might mean for them, but as I recently foreshadowed on my blogs, construction work begins there this week that has closed the casino’s marquee restaurant – leaving about 20 Food & Beverage employees uncertain about what would happen to them during and after the construction period.
Few things in life are more stressful than not knowing what will become of your job. Grand Bahama continues to have the highest unemployment rate in the country. The government ought to stop ducking these workers and give the respect of meeting with them to provide these Bahamian men and women the critical answers about their future they have been seeking for over a year.
Sharon Turner
www.thereal242.com
