PM: GBPA has made ‘no positive progress’ on payment to govt

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip

“Brave” Davis said no “positive progress” involving the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has been made since he criticised the institution during the budget debate in June.

He was responding to reporters about the government’s efforts to secure payments from the GBPA.

In June, he accused the GBPA of failing to repay costs the government has incurred in providing public services in Freeport.

He said the government sent the GBPA invoices for reimbursable expenses as calculated by an independent accounting firm.

The GBPA, however, said “it is yet to be satisfied” that the debt claims are supported by credible evidence. The authority said the matter was being reviewed and that the claims would be addressed later.

Pressed on the issue, the Prime Minister told reporters on Friday: “I have to ask my attorney general, but we are committed to ensuring that the Grand Bahama promise is delivered and fulfilled, and we will not relent until we put in place a proper pathway to fulfilling that promise.”

“I don’t think there’s been any progress on the part of the Port Authority.”

Mr Davis previously said his administration would take decisive action on the Port, declaring that the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, once central to Grand Bahama’s prosperity, no longer works.