$45 million marina, resort for Harbour Island

$45 million marina, resort for Harbour Island
Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis (second right) looks on as Mr. Michael Wiener, Principal, 4M Harbour Island Limited, signs the Heads of Agreement for the redevelopment of the Harbour Island Marina into a world-class tourism facility. Secretary to the Cabinet, Ms. Camille Johnson (third from right) signed the Heads of Agreement on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas. The signing took place at the Cabinet Office, Churchill Building. Also pictured (at far left) are: Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Desmond T. Bannister and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator the Hon. Carl W. Bethel, QC. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

Making sure to stress that is was not “ceremonial”, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis on Wednesday signed a $45 million contract for the revitalization of the Harbour Island Marina and Resort.

The heads of agreement (HOA) was signed by Michael Wiener, the principal of 4-M Harbour Island Limited.

The project, which is expected to generate 150 construction and 72 permanent jobs, is expected to be complete in two and a half years.

According to Dr. Minnis, the workforce will also comprise of 70 per cent Bahamians.

Unlike the government’s recent $5.5 billion heads of agreement with Oban Energies for an oil refinery and storage facility on Grand Bahama, Dr. Minnis said, the project has been greenlighted by all the relevant government agencies including the BEST Commission.

In fact, Dr. Minnis noted that due diligence was done before the agreement was signed and said, he personally went through the contract line by line to ensure “everything was okay”.

Dr. Minnis said, “I just want to say, this is not ceremonial, this is the real thing… This will uplift the living standards of the people of The Bahamas, particularly those living in the Family Islands. This project serves to encourage Family Islanders to remain on the island of their birth, enjoy a sustainable future and provide for the needs of their families.

“The $45 million resort … will enhance the natural attributes of Habour Island, invigorate and stimulate the economy of Harbor Island [and] the surrounding communities.”

Dr. Minnis heralded the project’s features and said it would be redesigned into a world class state-of-the-art luxury, mega-yacht resort community.

He also said the project has received the approval of the relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of the Environment.

“I am happy to say Mr. Wiener has committed to a 70 per cent Bahamian work force on this project for both construction works and business operations,” he said.

Wiener said he is grateful for the opportunity to change the lives of Bahamians, especially those in Harbor Island.

“We made the investment with a goal of contributing to the culture and the experience of visitors to the island specially,” Wiener said.

“It’s my goal to create a job training programs for locals, so that young Bahamians have the opportunity to support themselves on the island and they don’t have to leave in search of other opportunities.”

The marina and resort will comprise 28 guest rooms, 10 villas and a swimming pool.