NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Disney Cruise Line is set to exceed its initial commitment of 150 permanent jobs at its Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera destination, scheduled to open in June with an all-Bahamian leadership team.

Joey Gaskins, Regional Director of Public Affairs for the Bahamas and the Caribbean, addressing the Eleuthera Business Outlook, highlighted that Disney Cruise Line has confirmed substantial progress, with the development nearing completion and set to open Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on June 7th.

He disclosed that Disney Cruise Line acquired 900 acres of private property for its second island destination in the country, with a significant portion- 25 percent- earmarked for donation back to the government, while 59 percent of the acreage will remain undeveloped. The overall development stands at less than 16 percent, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Access to beaches will remain for citizens and residents.

Gaskins emphasized that the Heads of Agreement signed with the government stipulated a minimum of 120 Bahamians directly employed during construction and a commitment to 150 permanent jobs. "We promised 120 construction jobs. We've exceeded that," Gaskins stated. "Currently, we have 600 Bahamians working on site to finalize the project. We've invested over 5,800 hours in training for these workers."

He further noted that Leslie Lopez, Disney's Bahamian recruitment manager, has spearheaded recruitment efforts, with senior staff undergoing onboarding since January. Gaskins confirmed that Disney will surpass the 150-job pledge outlined in the HOA.

"We are proud to announce that we will be opening with an all-Bahamian leadership team. From island directors to every on-site manager, all will be Bahamian," Gaskins said. Disney recently conducted a job fair on Eleuthera, and Gaskins highlighted the need for additional lifeguards.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — On Monday, April 15, a total of 274 Haitian nationals were repatriated from Matthew Town, Inagua, to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, aboard the Royal Bahamas Defence Force's HMBS Lawrence Major.

The repatriation operation, led by David Rolle, Senior Immigration Officer, and his team of officers, saw the ship depart Matthew Town on Sunday, April 14, and arrive in Cap-Haitien on Monday morning.

The Department emphasized its commitment to effectively coordinating efforts with other law enforcement agencies and international stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Statute Laws of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – President of the Bahamas Christian Council Bishop Delton Fernander expressed concerns Thursday morning that the church has not consulted on the Anti-Gang Bill (2024) and the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was tabled in the Lower Chamber on Wednesday April 17, 2024.

Prime Minister Philip Davis asserted that the bill will strengthen his administration's plans to dismantle gangs and their recruitment efforts which police officials claimed have been responsible for criminal activity and bloodshed across the country.

Bishop Fernander argued that while he understands what the legislation intends to do,  "we (the church) were not consulted and we did not get a copy of the bill to even know what's inside the bill."

The Davis administration has revealed that the new bill states a person convicted of involvement in gang activity could be liable to a $100,000 fine and up to 25-years in prison.

There is also a prison term of up to 20 years for people who harbor gang leaders or gang members.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition leader Michael Pintard cautioned yesterday that the Davis administration seems to be treading down a familiar path reminiscent of the drawn-out St. George and Hayward family dispute over the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) ownership, which, he claimed, damaged the Freeport economy. 

Pintard also accused the Davis administration of pursuing political gains under the guise of nationalism.

While commenting on the government's stand-off with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) Pintard said:  "One of the challenges we are having right now is not a new challenge. We have a challenge when you have a sitting government engaged in a public row with a municipal government in the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

"We have said that this is a bad decision by the government, that they are creating uncertainty not just in Freeport but they are creating uncertainty among present and potential investors who are not certain it makes sense to pump money into an environment where the government appears to have the capacity that it could wrestle away assets or make any number of threats they could have certainly had a private conversation about."

Pintard continued: "We believe that the present status quo in Freeport cannot remain. We would like to see an expanded shareholder base with far more Bahamians being shareholders in GBPA. There has to be greater involvement with license-making decisions relative to the functioning of GBPA, including how service charges are apportioned.

"We do not believe the central government should be in charge of the regulatory function in Freeport so they can politicize it in the way they are seeking to do it in the rest of the country. Nor do we believe they should be in charge of the infrastructural maintenance and upgrades. We believe the government is attempting to score political points to give the impression they are more nationalistic than us, that they love the people of Grand Bahama more than us, and that they love Bahamians and Grand Bahama more than us. We ride out storms with our people. We help them in the aftermath of catastrophes that hit them, we want investors with deep pockets, clear vision, and willingness to create a shareholding society."

Pintard noted that for many years, the St George and Hayward families had been locked in a protracted battle, which damaged Grand Bahama's economy. For about four years, the families engaged in a feud regarding ownership claims. GBPA Honorary Chairman Sir Jack Hayward maintained that he owned 75 percent of the company, while the Estate of Edward St. George adamantly asserted their ownership at 50 percent.

"The government is following the identical formula, the only difference is the government is sending a wider message than the fight between the two families because now other investors on other islands may presume this is how the Bahamian government functions and we do not want that to be the impression."

National Security Minister and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly Wayne Munroe defended the Davis administration Wayne Munroe said: "Government only abiding by the rule of law. Every investor on every island should know that they are subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas." 

Prime Minister Philip Davis recently asserted that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has not been living up to its legal obligations to develop and grow the economy in Freeport, adding that the government has a "very strong case" to demand $357 million - which covers the last five fiscal years. The Grand Bahama Port Authority has warned against the government's efforts to "force" a sale of the Port Group, expressing concerns over the significant damage it could inflict on the Freeport economy, while strongly refuting the claim that it owes $357 million as asserted by the government.