NASSAU, Bahamas ? Ninety-five Bahamians are presently employed on the Nassau Harbour Port Improvement Project on jobs including welding, equipment operation, technical support, and administration, Government Project Engineer Robert Garraway confirmed.

The harbour project is being carried out to accommodate the new mega Genesis Class Cruise ship 'Oasis of the Seas? which is expected in Nassau in December on its maiden voyage.

Public Works and Transport Minister the Hon Neko C Grant said the harbour project, among others, was ?in keeping with the Government?s medium term response to the financial crisis.
?In light of this global economic downturn, it was decided by the Government that the projects should be implemented with a dual intent. They are designed to provide employment for Bahamians while simultaneously upgrading infrastructure in preparation for the future economic upturn."

On April 2 the Government and Boskalis International (a Netherlands based dredging company) signed a $4.2 million contract to dredge 1.9 million cubic yards of material from Nassau Harbour.

The work also includes construction of three mooring dolphins at Prince George Wharf, and the 1,000 feet extension of the western end of Arawak Cay using the dredged material and sheet piles. The remainder of the dredged material will be stockpiled on Arawak Cay to be used in future Government projects.

Photo: Bahamians are pictured installing steel sheet piles on the 1,000-ft Arawak Cay extension, a part of the Nassau Harbour Port Improvement Project. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)