The Government of The Bahamas and the Inter-American Development Bank on Thursday morning signed a $600,000 pact that will focus primarily on the ecosystem of the Island of Andros.
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie signed the Technical Cooperation Agreement with the IDB to undertake diagnostic studies and identify the ecosystem assets of Andros.
The Prime Minister was in Grand Bahama for the official opening of the 4th IDB Caribbean Governors Regional Meeting currently underway at the Grand Lucayan resort. He and IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno signed the agreement shortly after the opening of the conference.
In signing the agreement, Mr. Christie pronounced it a very significant day, also pointing out that the IDB is currently funding a grant that is being carried out between Inagua, where there are some 50,000 flamingos and 100 species of birds, and Andros, where rare birds have been discovered.
“So, we are truly thankful that we continue to bring focus on an area of possible economic impact that we have not really taken advantage of. And as we look at the economy and areas that would be sources for growth, the environment in The Bahamas is particularly important to us, in that we can both protect it and exploit its economic benefits,” the Prime Minister said.
Mr. Christie added that Andros is a large land mass with not much development but with an abundance of natural life.
He told the IDB that his government and others are going through a discussion in The Bahamas as to the assets that we have -- some of them unknown -- and the significance of being able to cause there to be research leading to the value of those assets.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the three segments of Andros -- the North, Central and South -- are each unique ecosystems with varied landscapes and cultural distinctions. He noted that the magnificence of Andros is something that has always amazed him.
Mr. Christie said that he has made a commitment to the people of Andros, that “during this term I would spend at least $100 million on infrastructural development and we have just given a contract out for one part of the roadways leading to the technical institute (BAMSI) we have started: a seven-million-dollar contract to do with the road works and water works, and so we are continuing to bring focus to this island because we see it as being very, very significant in terms of its potential impact on our country.”
He pointed out that in Andros there are unexplored terrestrial and marine blue holes and vast forestry with habitats for several species of bird. Also he drew attention to the Tongue of The Ocean, which has the distinction of being the third largest barrier reef in the world, with a lot of potential as well.
“I firmly believe that the development of a master plan for Andros, which embraces the views of the people of Andros, along with stakeholders from the various public and private sector bodies, and one which considers the rich cultural heritage of Andros will enhance the economic and social development of Andros in a sustainable manner.
“I am seeking a new type of economic development for Andros, one that has at its centre, people and the environment as I have indicated,” he said.
The Prime Minister further advised that the project is being executed by a staff from his office headed by Dr. Nicola Virgil Rolle who will establish a steering committee comprising stakeholders from the BEST Commission, Nature Conservancy, Bahamas National Trust, international experts, relevant government agencies and various persons from the island of Andros.
IDB President Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno said that Andros Island represents not only a very passionate love that the Prime Minister correctly shows for this amazing island which is a treasure of The Bahamas, but equally it is a treasure of the world.
Mr. Moreno said over a time he would love to see that Andros with its huge natural wealth can host the top research institution of the Caribbean. He said the grant is a first step in moving in that direction, and that he and Prime Minister Christie began talking about the project since May of last year.
$600,000 GRANT – Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie is pictured here with IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno after signing a $600,000 grant for the Andros Ecosystem Technical Cooperation Project on Thursday morning at Grand Lucayan resort on Grand Bahama. Left to right in the photo are: Jerry Butler, Alternative Representative for the IDB for the Caribbean; the Hon. Khaalis Rolle, Minister of State for Investments, in the Office of the Prime Minister; Dr. Nicola Rolle, Director of Economic Development and Planning, Office of the Prime Minister; the Hon. Michael Halkitis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance; Prime Minister Christie; Mr. Moreno, IDB President; the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism; and the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
JUNKANOO MUSIC – A five-year-old displays his Junkanoo talents for Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno at the official opening of the IDB Caribbean Governors Regional Meeting on Thursday morning at Grand Lucayan resort on Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
