PM: Jobs at Baker's Bay, other projects show I'm not delusional

Fri, Apr 24th 2015, 12:30 AM

Pointing to the hundreds of jobs that are being created on the Family Islands, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday when Bahamians see what is happening across the country it will prove that he is not "delusional".

Christie has taken some flak for his optimism about the economy amid rising crime and high unemployment. However, Christie suggested that things are beginning to take shape. The prime minister was speaking during a tour of Baker's Bay on Great Guana Cay, where he announced the creation of 250 jobs at the ultra-luxury residential resort. Christie said there are going to be similar success stories on various islands.

"In Exuma, we're going to be showing the Bahamian people what is taking place in Exuma, in Eleuthera what is taking place, in San Salvador what is taking place," he said. "I spoke about it and people said maybe I was delusional about it. Well I want to show them today what delusional really means. It means these buildings are now being built and people have bought them," he said, referring to the Baker's Bay residences.

"...Somehow people will say Christie wasn't delusion. Christie just anticipated what was going to happen and it is now happening."

The multimillion-dollar Baker's Bay development, which is home to approximately 80 houses, multiple restaurants, and a world class golf course, continues to expand with the construction of new homes, a Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) substation, an employee housing complex, and a proposed fuel dock.

Christie said the resort is "challenged" to find sufficient skilled workers.

"The challenge [is] the demand for skilled workers exceeds the capacity of the local Bahamian workforce and local specialty subcontractors," Christie said.

He said Baker's Bay will mount a jobs fair to attract Bahamian employees from throughout the country.

Baker's Bay President Michael Meldman said Baker's Bay has the capability to more than double the construction staff based on the current needs.

"We are literally growing faster than we can [manage]," he said. "We have approximately 80 houses done and we have approximately 80 houses in the queue that we can't even get to because the 40 we're building are zapping all of the local workforce.

"We are doing everything we can. We're working with the prime minister and the government to bring in more employees because we feel we can actually go from 800 to 1,200 to 1,500 employees. The amount of money that would mean to the local economy is staggering."

Meldman said to date, Baker's Bay has invested close to $700 million in the property and will invest several hundred million dollars in the next year.

"So in the next 12 months, Baker's Bay is going to be a multi-billion-dollar development," he said.

As the property begins to employ additional workers, Christie said that Baker's Bay would be permitted to apply for a limited number of essential specialized work permit holders. He said the resort will also be required to sustain a "multi-disciplinary on the job technical skills training and apprenticeship programs designed to equip Bahamian employees and subcontractors with high levels of proficiency".

As Christie wrapped up his speech, legendary retired NBA player Michael Jordan stopped in to say hello. Jordan said he's been coming to The Bahamas for the last 15 years.

"I love it," he told reporters, referring to Baker's Bay. The people have been very nice to me. The hospitality and the facilities are growing and improving each and every time I come back. I look for reasons to come back. I love it.

"I like [to be] low key to some degree. I like being able to let my hair down."

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