Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you all for joining us for this step forward for this island and its people.
Standing here today, looking out at all of you, I do not see a gathering, I see something deeper and more meaningful.
I see hope.
I see hope for the skies above Rum Cay.
I see hope for infrastructure strong enough and modern enough to welcome visitors from far and near. Visitors who will come to experience the beauty, the charm, and the promise of this island.
I see hope that more Bahamian businesses will grow, that opportunity will expand, and that families can return home safely, reliably, and with dignity.
And I see something else. I see a people who are saying, clearly and confidently, that Rum Cay matters.
Rum Cay must be a priority.
And so we have answered that call.
Today, to meet that hope and to rise to that expectation, we sign a contract with Greenslade Construction Company, for the full construction of the Rum Cay Airport terminal.
This building will be a corridor. A corridor to opportunity and to growth.
The people of Rum Cay will benefit from a modern, spacious terminal facility, equipped with updated navigational aids and designed to meet the demands of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
This project will strengthen airlift, increase passenger capacity and enhance emergency access. And for Family Island communities, we know that emergency airlift is not a luxury. It is, at times, a matter of life and death.
The contract value is nine hundred and eighty-six thousand, fifty-eight dollars and seventy cents, inclusive of VAT.
But value goes far beyond the bottom line. Value lies in the potential that this project carries for the island and its people.
Since 2021, my government has been committed to transformative initiatives that make life easier for Bahamians. Not simply in theory but in practice.
This signing is another step in that journey. It forms part of our broader Family Island Renaissance project. One that is rooted in access and opportunity.
We have already seen the completion of airports in Ragged Island, Great Harbour Cay, and Mayaguana. Today, there are eleven more under active construction, including North Eleuthera and Rock Sound. And, now, Rum Cay takes its rightful place among them.
This is real commitment.
This is what real investment looks like.
Developments like this do more than improve travel.
They connect people.
They strengthen families.
They bind together our family of islands.
And, they lay the foundation for future growth. They create the infrastructure needed to attract major investment and open doors that were once closed.
We are serious about improving infrastructure in a way that eases the burdens of Bahamians. And building airports fit for the 21st century is central to that mission.
So, today’s signing is a reflection of my government’s promise to you.
It is proof that your hope is seen, and your voices heard.
It is testament of our action meeting your expectations. Hope is strong but it must be matched with real investment. It must be backed by decisions.
This signing lays the groundwork for what is to come. It is not simply the inking of a contract for an airport, but it is preparation for greater visitor arrivals, expanded capital works and increased private investment.
It is about removing barriers and spreading opportunity so that the people on this island can thrive, not someday, but now.
This is progress. Built on effort. Sustained by grit.
To the people of Rum Cay, thank you for your patience.
Thank you for your belief.
Never stop expecting more from your government because you deserve no less.
This airport is for you.
Not only to make travel easier, but to bring meaningful, lasting investment and opportunities to your shoes.
I extend my sincere thanks to the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs, the ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and all the technical teams who have worked diligently to bring this project to contract stage.
And I thank Greenslade Construction Company for partnering with us in this important initative.
A new day has come, my friends. And with it comes real progress.
Thank you, and may God bless you all.