Prime Minister Philip Davis’s Remarks at the Small Home Repairs Contractors Workshop

Good morning, everyone,

It is a pleasure to be with you this morning.

Before I speak about the purpose of today’s workshop, let me begin with a memory.

Growing up on Cat Island, where we didn’t have much, I learned the value of a home.

For many, a home was never just a building. It represented the hopes and sacrifices of a family — built a little at a time, as people could afford it.

A father might spend one weekend putting on a roof. An uncle would come to help with the foundation. A neighbour would lend a hand after church. And if a storm damaged a house, people showed up without being asked.

Although the homes were modestly built, they were filled with pride.

Today, those houses remind me that a home is where families are raised and a new generation of Bahamians learn the value of hard work.

And that never changes – every family wants a safe place to live and a well-maintained home, whether in Arthur’s Town or Eight Mile Rock.

That is why today is so important because it represents the partnership between government, contractors, and the Bahamian people.

This administration believes that Bahamians should have every opportunity to participate in the development of The Bahamas. We believe in investing in local talent and supporting small businesses, because when Bahamian contractors succeed, communities benefit.

By investing in you, we are supporting family businesses and creating opportunities that strengthen entire communities.

As a government, we also recognize something else: partnership cannot exist without trust.

You must have confidence that these opportunities are administered fairly and transparently. You deserve to know that your government is committed to processes that are open and honest.

That commitment is part of the larger promise we have made to the Bahamian people. 

In our Blueprint for Progress, we promised national development grounded in good governance  – a government that would be transparent and accountable, committed to strengthening oversight, and ensuring that opportunity is always available to those who are qualified and ready to do the work.

At the same time, though, partnership brings responsibility. The Bahamian people should be able to have confidence in you.

When you are entrusted with public work, they should know that the job will be done properly, completed on time, and carried out with professionalism and pride.

So, what do we have then?

The Government must uphold its responsibilities, and contractors must uphold theirs. When government is committed to fairness and contractors are committed to quality work, everybody benefits.

Communities become stronger. And families are lifted – where a grandmother can live with dignity, and where a mother can raise her children in safety and security.

Before I close, I want to extend my sincere thanks to Minister Lisa Rahming and the Ministry of Urban Renewal and Community Relations for their commitment to community development and their important work on behalf of the Bahamian people.

I also wish to thank Minister Clay Sweeting and the Ministry of Works for their efforts today.

And, finally, to all the contractors here this morning, thank you. Thank you for your skills and your willingness to help us build a stronger Bahamas.

I wish you all a successful workshop and a Happy National Pride Day!

May God bless each of you, and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.