Former Member of Parliament and Grand Bahama resident, Frederick McAlpine held a press conference on Monday where he addressed the ongoing dispute between the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).
McAlpine told reporters, “Grand Bahama is not exactly happy with this present Grand Bahama Port Authority, they have their deficiencies, but their deficiencies far outweigh the capability of the Government of The Bahamas.”
The government recently forwarded a letter to the GBPA demanding payment of approximately $357 million for services rendered by the government in the city of Freeport for the past five years. Government contends that this money is owed per a clause in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
McAlpine said, “when will this PLP regime, past and present, recognize that this kind of behaviour is not good for international business.”
He went further stating, “the average person in Freeport believe for some time now that there seem to have been a lack of vision, leadership and a need to revive and rejuvenate the ability to bring forth investment. While we would admit that we are not fully happy with the Grand Bahama Port Authority at present, we do not wish to have the Government of The Bahamas or any government taking over the responsibility of our roads, water and garbage collection.”
McAlpine says the government has been received more than $200 million plus in taxes from the people of Freeport proper. He asked how much of that money has been spent in Freeport.
