Residents Concerned Over Grand Bahama Cruise Port Project Progress

Freeport News
Residents of the Williams and Russell Town areas say they are concerned about the progress of the proposed cruise port, saying the Government has been mum on the matter since the initial announcement.

Some residents have even questioned whether the port is still on the drawing board, since no information has been provided to indicate that it is.

When contacted regarding the project yesterday, Minister of Works and Member of Parliament for Lucaya, the constituency where the port is expected to be located, Neko Grant, said he had no update to provide on the matter.

Resident George Williams said he wishes the Government would offer some further facts, and is unsure as to what could be causing the delay.

“I don’t know if it’s bureaucracy, paperwork, or I don’t know if they’re waiting on this economic recovery to come around, of if they’re doing it closer to the time when election comes, stalling for that, but it would be good if the cruise port does come, it will be beneficial to the whole island,” he said.

“I’m kind of disappointed that it hasn’t started as yet because you want to see some progress. On the whole, the island of Grand Bahama needs some kind of movement to get some people to work. So we need to find out what’s going on with that.”

Another resident Pauline Newbold said she has heard a lot of talk among residents about what the advantages and disadvantages of the cruise port may be, but has reserved judgment herself in the absence of concrete information.

“I want to hear more about it from them so I can know. Even though you might be against it, it’s kind of hard to stand in the way of progress and if that’s the government and they already say they’re going to do it, no matter how much you fight eventually they’re going to get their way, but at least speak with the people, talk to us let us know what it is, because we might be saying one thing when it’s totally different,” she said.

Williams/Russell Town Developments on Track

By Simon Lewis

Freeport, Grand Bahama – The revitalization of Williams and Russell Towns in Grand Bahama continues on track, Minister for Works and Transport, the Hon Neko C Grant confirmed Thursday

He was speaking to the media in Freeport, Thursday "to dispel the rumors and untruths that have been circulated by some rejected politicians.”

Mr Grant, is the Member of Parliament for the Lucaya Constituency, a part of which includes the two communities.

The project started shortly after Mr Grant became the Minister of Public Works and Transport.

Seawall, sidewalks, and paved parking have already been constructed and persons can now easily walk from one community to the other.

Restrooms are to be built, the entire area landscaped, and twenty-one pastel-colored 12-by-16-feet booths provided for local vendors.

Mr Grant said the residents have responded favorably to the project.

“I have been honored to have represented the people of Williams and RussellTowns for the past 17 years,” he said. “That speaks volumes ff their trust is me. Four consecutive terms.

“I promised them in 2007 that if re-elected I would seek to revitalize Williams and Russell Towns, and as you can see we are well underway to doing that.”

Roads in the area will be paved, he said. “One of the reasons why we have not paved to date is that we would wish to have a first class operation out here.”

Sign erected in Williams Town heralds imminent start of work on cruise port

The Freeport News

By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Government officials have already erected signs notifying residents of Williams Town of their decision to place Grand Bahama's new cruise ship facility in that settlement.

The sign, which has been in place for more than a week, reads: "Take notice that pursuant to section 4 of the Acquisition of Land Act... it appears to the Minister responsible for the acquisition and disposition of lands (Hubert Ingraham) that the land described ... is likely to be needed for the public purpose of promoting the tourist traffic of The Bahamas and providing increased harbour and dock facilities and for uses related hereto."

The sign went on to inform residents that persons are now authorized to carry out several activities including the surveying of the land, digging in to the land, clearing the land, setting out boundaries, and any other acts necessary to determine whether the land is suitable for the purpose outlined.

As the government moves ahead with its plans, residents appear to be in full support of the proposed cruise port being in that area.

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