FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Eleven years after Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne, weeks apart, ravaged Grand Bahama Island and destroyed homes and businesses and the Grand Bahama Fire Station, groundbreaking for a new $6.1m state-of-the-art facility took place on Tuesday. Prime Minister, the Hon. Perry G. Christie, M.P., joined by the National Security Minister, the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage, M.P. officiated at the ceremony. Also on hand was the Cabinet of the Bahamas, in Grand Bahama for a historic Cabinet Meeting held earlier in the day, the second in the country's history ever held outside the capital of Nassau.
Prime Minister Christie, officiating at his second ceremony for the day that strengthened the island's firefighting services, described the events as "...first class investments in the infrastructure," which he noted is at the heart of his administration's vision for a modern Bahamas and essential for securing a stronger and more sustainable economic growth in Grand Bahama, and by extension the Bahamas.
Earlier in the day the Prime Minister officiated at the reopening of the Eight Mile Rock Fire Substation.
Mr. Christie told scores of residents on hand for the ceremony that the "Effects of the storms were far-reaching and have been felt over the past decade.
"Nonetheless, the restoration of Grand Bahama was a priority in my administration upon coming to office in 2012 and remains a priority for the near and distant future," said Mr. Christie, as he reasoned the establishing of the Ministry for Grand Bahama and appointment of Dr. Michael Darville as responsible for ensuring that Grand Bahama receives maximum benefits from all government initiatives, and that the needs of Grand Bahama are both voiced and addressed.

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