#Nassau, May 22, 2019 – Bahamas – Making good on his promise to impact the lives of Bahamians, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis outlined areas of transformation, in an address to the nation, toward this end.
It was his third National Address for 2019, delivered on Monday, May 20;
and the final in a series of such reports, in which he outlined land reform,
renewable energy and modernization of public services in a digital global
world.
“These reports are intended to provide
updates on how your government is working for you.
“It is one of my most important
responsibilities to inform the Bahamian people as to how your government is
working to improve the daily lives and livelihoods of citizens and residents,”
the Prime Minister said to a nationwide audience via broadcast stations.
He focused on land reform, the environment, health care, energy reform,
general infrastructure, digital transformation and modernization.
The Prime Minister also highlighted major reform efforts underway to
digitize and modernize government services, and the implementation of a system
to clear the land application backlog and restructure the application process
for Crown Land.
“A major goal of our government is to continue the reform and
modernization of our Bahamas through innovative ideas and technology,” he said.
He added that this transformation is expected to take place on the eve
of the country’s Jubilee Independence anniversary.
“There must be easier access to information such as: the wide range of
economic and tax concessions available for Bahamian investors and businesses,
lists of companies and individuals who have government contracts, and other
information and data that should be easily available to the public,” the Prime
Minister said.
In the area of land reform, which remains a key priority of his
administration, he said that through the Ministry of the Environment and Housing several thousand
serviced lots will be transferred throughout The Bahamas to Bahamians over the
next several years.
“We are restructuring the application process
for Crown Land. We will reduce the number of months to attain Land
Leases or Crown Grants,” the Prime Minister said.
And, with construction being the second
largest sector for tremendous growth, the Prime Minister noted that several
mega projects are coming on stream, especially on Grand Bahama; and road works
on New Providence and the Family Islands.
“Capital works by the private sector and
government are essential in creating more economic opportunities for Bahamians,
including many more jobs and more business for Bahamian vendors,” he said.
Also on tap are new international airports at
Exuma; Deadman’s Cay, Long Island; and Great Harbour Cay, the Berry
Islands.
In the area of renewable energy, the Prime
Minister announced that candidates
have been shortlisted to participate in the Request for Proposal process for a
solar generation facility in Ragged Island.
“The RFP is expected to be published
soon. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the current projection
for completion of the facility is by year’s end,” he said.
By Lindsay Thompson
Photo Caption: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis.
(BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)