Bahamas News
PM Davis: Long Island Airport Runway Contract Signing signals the start of the ‘economic heavy lifting’ that Long Island needed
By Eric Rose
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the Long Island Airport Runway Contract Signing with Bahamas Hot Mix, on June 18, 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis stated that the signing signaled “the start of the economic heavy lifting that Long Island has needed for far too long”.
“This is a community that has given much to The Bahamas – building contractors, farmers, teachers, fishermen, police officers, and leaders
– and yet, for years, what they’ve received in return has fallen short of what was fair,” he said at the event held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Cable Beach. “Development came slowly. Promises were made, but little changed.
“That pattern ends with us.” Among those present included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting; and Permanent Secretary Dr. Anya Symonette; Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer; Director of Works Robert Mouzas; and Managing Director at Bahamas Hot Mix Company, Ltd. Ebbi Saidi.
Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the new runway will unlock real opportunity, making Long Island “more accessible for domestic and international flights, safer for travel, and more attractive to investors, tourists, and returning Bahamians”.
He said: “Better infrastructure brings more than convenience – it brings confidence. Confidence in building a home, confidence in opening a business, confidence in raising a family. It allows people to stay rooted in their community while reaching the rest of the country and the world.”
Prime Minister Davis added: “This runway, combined with the recent road and water project, represents a clear, coordinated vision for Long Island; one that treats the island not as an afterthought, but as a priority; one that backs up talk with action.”
He pointed out that his Government expects that project to create jobs for Bahamians, particularly Long Islanders, and his Government will ensure that it moves forward with “accountability, transparency, and the required urgency”.
Prime Minister Davis also thanked Bahamas Hot Mix for partnering with his Government to bring the runway to life, and the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs, especially Minister Clay Sweeting, and the Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, and other stakeholders, for their role in “untapping and opening up real opportunities in Long Island”.
“This island has always held promise rich in history, culture, and character; but for too long, the necessary infrastructure was missing,” he noted. “That is what we are building now, piece by piece.”
Prime Minister Davis added: “We started with roads; then came the waterworks; today, the runway; and very soon, within 60 days, the terminal. We are moving forward with plans for a new, modern 10,000-square-foot terminal, equipped with customs and immigration services. This will transform the airport into a formal port of entry – welcoming not just visitors, but returning sons and daughters of Long Island. It’s more than a building. It will be a gateway to possibility.”
“Jets will be able to land with ease,” he continued. “International flights will have a clear destination. Businesses will find it easier to move people and goods. Families will be better connected; and a new standard of development will be set.”
Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the greatest opportunity was in what the project makes possible.
“For Long Islanders living abroad whether in Nassau, Grand Bahama, the U.S., or elsewhere, this work sends a message: the time to come
home is drawing nigh,” he said. “Your island is changing. The infrastructure is coming into place. The barriers that pushed so many away are starting to fall.”
He added: “We are building an island that welcomes you back not just for holidays or retirement – but for business, for family, for life. Today goes beyond roads, runways, or terminals. It’s about a return: a return to roots; a return to community. Return to your home. With every investment we make, we unlock the capital and confidence already here quietly held in the hands of people who never stopped believing in this place.”
Prime Minister stated that Long Island did not need to be reinvented.
“It needs to be supported,” he said. “And once supported, it will rise.”
“We’re doing the work to make that rise real, for the people here now and for those ready to come back and finish what they started,” Prime Minister Davis added.
“And I can clearly say, it is truly a new day in Long Island.”
PHOTO CAPTION
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks during the Long Island Airport Runway Contract Signing with Bahamas Hot Mix, on June 18, 2025 at the Office of the Prime Minister, Cable Beach. Among those present included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting; and Permanent Secretary Dr. Anya Symonette; Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer; Director of Works Robert Mouzas; and Managing Director at Bahamas Hot Mix Company, Ltd. Ebbi Saidi.
(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, BAHAMAS (July 8, 2025) What began as a small effort to give young people a constructive outlet has grown into an impactful summer camp with participants benefiting from structured practices, personal development sessions, and opportunities to compete. This year marked two incredible decades since D-Squad Basketball has been shaping not just athletes, but leaders.
From day one, Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) has believed in the program’s mission to build character, discipline, and drive in the next generation of Bahamians through the game of basketball.
The D-Squad camp welcomes dozens of boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 19, offering structured training, mentorship, and a safe,
empowering space to grow each year. With core values of drive, determination, dedication, and discipline at its foundation, the program has become a staple in the community. It has launched the dreams of young Bahamians and provided lifelong lessons both on and off the court. CWCO Board Member, Ethan Adderley, said “Investing in our youth is one of the most meaningful ways we can help build a stronger Bahamas. Programs like D-Squad Basketball offer structure, mentorship, and a sense of purpose. CWCO is proud to stand behind Coach McCoy and the work he’s doing to develop future leaders.”
The water supplier has funded equipment, uniforms, and other essential items so no child is left behind due to financial hardship. From first-time dribblers to college-bound athletes, D-Squad Basketball has reached hundreds of participants over the years.
Founder of D-Squad Basketball, Coach Harcourt McCoy, said, “D-Squad is more than basketball. It is a family, a mindset, and a movement.”
He added, “We have seen kids come through the program and go on to do great things, not just because they were good players, but because they learned how to push through, how to lead, how to believe in themselves. CWCO has been with us from the beginning, and thanks to their belief in our mission, we have been able to reach more children each year.”
As D-Squad celebrates this milestone year, CWCO is honored to continue investing in a program that proves what’s possible when a community comes together to lift its youth.
Bahamas News
Carnival’s Celebration Key Set to Open July 19, 2025, Marking a Major Milestone for Grand Bahama
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Grand Bahama, Bahamas, July 14, 2025 – The highly anticipated Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest private destination
on Grand Bahama Island, is set to officially open on July 19, 2025. This momentous occasion is expected to be a game-changer for the island’s tourism and economy, ushering in a new era of opportunities for local residents and businesses.
The inaugural docking will feature the Carnival Vista, arriving at the port from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, with a grand opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy will lead the celebrations, highlighting the collaboration between Carnival and The Bahamas to bring this vibrant new destination to life.
Celebration Key is Carnival’s first major project on Grand Bahama in over two decades. The sprawling port features five uniquely themed
areas, including the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons and the impressive 10-story Suncastle water playground. With a range of dining, entertainment, and retail options, the site promises an immersive experience tailored exclusively for Carnival guests.
Ahead of the grand opening, top Bahamian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, and State Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Zane Lightbourne, toured Celebration Key. Their visit underscored the importance of this development for the island’s future and the broader tourism sector.
With its stunning natural beauty and fresh amenities, Celebration Key is poised to become a premier destination in the Caribbean cruise market — a win for Carnival, Grand Bahama, and The Bahamas as a whole.
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