Opening Press Remarks by Prime Minister Philip Davis at the Caribbean Regional Heads of Government Meeting in Preparation for COP27
Commissioning of the Ragged Island Solar MicroGrid Project
Prime Minister Hon. Philip E. Davis, Deputy Prime Minister, and Member of Parliament for Exuma and Ragged Island, Hon. I. Chester Cooper led a delegation to the southern island for the Bahamas Power and Light’s Commissioning Ceremony for the Ragged Island Solar MicroGrid.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Davis said, “Every family and every business in The Bahamas knows that energy costs are too high, service is too unreliable, and past promises of progress haven’t panned out.”
Davis went on to say that by now, Bahamians know that climate change is a real threat. “If there was ever any doubt, Irma and Dorian erased those doubts with a vengeance. We contribute a tiny, tiny percentage of the world’s emissions, but we are going to be part of climate solutions in many ways in the years to come, including by keeping our own commitment to generate at least 30% of our energy from renewable sources by 2030.”
The Davis-led Administration also promises good news for the Northern Bahamas, as an investment of more than $36 million in renewable infrastructure in Abaco and East Grand Bahama will be made. Prime Minister Davis said the focus of the investment in Abaco will include $18 million for the restoration of electricity services and the rehabilitation of physical infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Dorian and an investment of $4.5 million will be made to install five microgrids in East End Grand Bahama.
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ARCHDEACON WILLIAM THOMPSON SOFTBALL FIELD
This softball field is indeed a public good that will serve many communities and sporting organizations well.
Having said that, we gather here to pay tribute to the life, legacy and work of a significant Bahamian son who dedicated his life to liberation and development through education, morality, religion and theology.
Further, as an avid sportsman, fan and visionary, Archdeacon William Thompson sought to influence and inspire generations of Bahamians through youth and sports development. In contributing to youth and sports development, visionary Bahamians like Archdeacon Thompson were laying the ground work for what we today call the orange economy.
CANTO ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE EXHIBITION ENABLING THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION
Almost daily, we are reminded how Information and Communication Technology has the potential to revolutionise our lives.
It can solve some of the biggest, most urgent problems of our time: in healthcare, in service delivery, in climate change, and so on.
In fact, in a week when many countries are experiencing record-high temperatures, we are told that technological solutions remain one of our best hopes.
26TH ANNUAL NABHOOD INVESTMENT SUMMIT AND TRADE SHOW
“…The Bahamas is fully open for business.
We were hit hard by the era of lockdowns and travel restrictions, but the pent-up travel demand means we have full hotels and a tourism boom.
We are very deliberate and strategic about the way forward – which includes building our blue, green and orange economies, and further developing cultural, medical, religious and sports tourism.
What makes The Bahamas a unique and attractive partner? We have 16 island destinations, each with their own unique culture and ripe for investment. In addition, our proximity to the US and our preclearance facilities provide very clear advantages.
We will find innovative ways to thrive during a time of change.
We are building our blue, green and orange economies while improving the ease of doing business in The Bahamas. We are building a more inclusive economy by incentivizing the creation of new opportunities.
Coming out of the pandemic, we find that the strength of our brand, the appeal of The Bahamas, remains undimmed.
In fact, if anything, it has strengthened, to the extent that we need to grow our supply.”