While visiting Grand Bahama recently Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Chester Cooper spoke about the importance of collaboration between the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and the government.
Mr. Cooper told ZNS News the relationship between the two parties is turning a corner. He said, “this gives us, in my view, an opportunity to move forward on a steady platform where there is less confusion, less fights for the future. Lord knows the people of Grand Bahama need a break.”
A partial ruling in the ongoing arbitration case between the two entities was published in March. The ruling provided clarity as to the obligations of the government on eight claims brought by the GBPA including utilities regulation.
Mr. Cooper said, “the clarification here, for example, where URCA (Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority) becomes the official regulator of utilities and the power company etc. is now clarified. That matter now can fall away from the courts. In fact the GBPA had filed in the courts to have the court clarify that URCA did not have authority here. So one good thing about the arbitration is that that matter is now settled.”
The government and the GBPA are now meeting to discuss the arbitration ruling. The Deputy Prime Minister is hopeful for collaboration between the parties for the benefit of Grand Bahamians.
