Hawksbill Creek Agreement and the RESET needed.
Felix Sands writes from Freeport
Tuesday 4th, August 2026, marked the 71st Anniversary of the signing of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement. The occasion passed without any public statements from the Grand Bahama Port Authority; that seemed curious, and we wondered why? Could it be because of the antics after the arbitration rulings that came in March this year? The arbitration ruling made clear The Sovereign Right of the government of the Bahamas and, by extension, the Supremacy of Parliament of the Bahamas. It has also made clear that the Port Authority would have to pay an annual fee (based on a sum of Monies to be agreed) and moving forward to the Bahamas Government. So, could it be the anniversary only marked another year of liability that has become due to the government by the Port Authority that has yet payed anything thus far?
Let me say at the outset that Freeport Grand Bahama holds greatest opportunity for the swiftest growth and development in this country. Given the geopolitical instability on the world stage today; Grand Bahama’s proximity to the United States gives us the quickest turnaround time for redevelopment. Notwithstanding the aging and somewhat dilapidated infrastructure of the city.
If Freeport is to take advantage of this opportunity there must be a “Reset “. The city requires an injection of hundreds of Millions of dollars in capital to set the dilapidated infrastructure back on a solid footing. The infrastructure all over the city is in need of urgent attention. Some developers licensed by the GBPA have walked away from their responsibilities as Developers of various subdivisions. The Taino Beach Bridge and the public drama surrounding the crumbling Port Lucaya Marina tells the story of a Grand Bahama Port Authority that’s on life support and starved of the very Capital needed to reinvest. The Port Lucaya Marketplace Marina, tells the embarrassing story that the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Grand Bahama Development company are at odds with one another .
The only assets left that the Port Authority has not divested it selves off are the GB Utility company, Freeport Harbor company, and its ability to license. The company has divested itself of all the other assets.
The government of the Bahamas now owns the city’s Airport and Grand Bahama Power Company. Key components of the City’s infrastructure. On this present trajectory, the GBPA will soon turn over the crumbling roads of
Freeport to the government. God forbid!
The Law Lords in the arbitration determination describe the Grand Bahama Port Authority as balance sheet insolvent. Clearly wisdom dictates that personal emotions that has often times taken place of better judgment should now be placed on the shelf. The Grand Bahama Port Authority must now find an investor partner with the financial ability to set things straight, or alternatively, find a buyer with the financial capacity to breed New Life into a aging City that has never realized its full potential. One way or the other, the monies that is owing to the government, and the people, of the Bahamas must be paid.
Freeport, the city located 90 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida must not fail; and, the government of the Bahamas must not blink. According to the agreement itself, the arbitration once final, does not allow for an appeal.
The government holds the stick called “insolvency” and the law is clear on how it is dealt with. Again, the government must not blink. Recalcitrant Investors, or not.
Felix Sands