Prime Minister Perry Christie, centre, cuts the ribbon to open the Sir Jack Hayward Bridge. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

THE newly built $4.3m Sir Jack Hayward Bridge was officially opened on Monday, providing much needed, shorter alternative commuting between Freeport and East Grand Bahama.

The late Sir Jack Hayward, principal owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd., was instrumental in spearheading construction of the new bridge, warning that an alternative was needed to replace the 60-year-old Casuarina Bridge.

He was present when the contracts were signed, but passed away on January 13, 2015 before work had started. Naming the bridge in honour of Sir Jack was a fitting tribute to his legacy in the development of Freeport.

Prime Minister Perry Christie delivered the keynote address and was among the first to drive over the new bridge by police escort.

“This is a wonderful additional infrastructure and…. I believe Sir Jack would be proud,” Mr. Christie told the Hayward family.

“This is a special occasion for you… and the wider family; for Sarah St. George and her brother, Henry, and their family…” he said.

Mr. Christie said that the Jack Hayward High School and Jack Hayward Bridge will serve as symbols of Sir Jack’s existence, which is synonymous with the history and development of Freeport.

Mr. Christie also noted that with the completion of the bridge, plans of the College of Bahamas becoming the University of the Bahamas are also finally soon to be realised.

Sir Jack had also stressed the importance of the new bridge being able to facilitate students travelling to the College of The Bahamas’ northern campus.

Mr. Christie said: “Many years ago I had indicated to the College of The Bahamas that before I retire I would like it to be University of the Bahamas. Two weeks ago, the bill to promulgate the University of The Bahamas was given to Cabinet, and so we are about to usher in a new paradigm in The Bahamas, and one of the campuses will be connected in a more meaningful way by this bridge.”

Mr. Christie also indicated that the history of Freeport, its origin, its challenges, the social integration process that took place over the past 61 years is critical to the health of the country because it is part of the nation’s history.

“We are going through an exercise – the country, the Port Authority, and its group of companies – some 61 years after the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was signed.

“We have had the most microscopic examination of the affairs of functioning, the impact of the GBPA and all of its subsidiaries. We have done so because we believe future generations of Bahamians when they look back at the history would want to know that at a certain stage someone examined in detailed how this thing works, and whether or not it should continue – countries have to do that.”

Mr. Christie stressed that government is very near the conclusion of the complex discussions and negotiations in terms of the future of Grand Bahama.

“Last night (Sunday) Sarah St George (vice-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority) met with me in Nassau, where we further discussed the way forward, where I indicated to her that I want to be able to make a communication to Parliament. It was scheduled to be on Wednesday, but I am attending a meeting in Washington with the president for a day on important matters dealing with energy and national security,” he said.

The prime minister noted that when he returns he will be “informing the country of where we are and what the future will be… that will ensure that the maximum return is achieved for the people of Freeport and Grand Bahama.”

He added: “There is no interest on my part of interfering with ownership and no degree of coercion, but the country can’t wait, and the country must be able to explain to the rest of the people why it is that we are doing this in Freeport, and not doing it in Exuma, or Acklins or Crooked Island.

“For better or worse, we have had a wonderful level cooperation from Sarah St. George and her shareholders. We have been very direct in our discussions and I think they understand my role.

“We as a people must work together. We must recognise when the government makes the decision on this we are making a decision for the next 20 years, and therefore we are automatically tying the hands for another generation. That is why it is so important that we are right,” Mr. Christie said referring to government’s positions on the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

BY Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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