Bahamas News
12-21-04, - 01:16 PM
Freeport’s Big Loss
By Sharon Williams
The Bahama Journal
Edward St. George dead at age 76
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Edward St. George, chairman and co-owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), died in a Houston, Texas hospital early Monday morning. He was 76.
Mr. St. George passed away following complications from a heart valve replacement surgery in the United States.
Upon receiving news of his death, Prime Minister Perry Christie and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham hailed Mr. St. George, who chaired the GBPA since 1976, as being the driving force behind attracting and securing major developments for Freeport over the past three decades.
The largest investment partnership was forged with the Hutchison Whampoa group in the mid-1990’s – a partnership that has yielded close to $1 billion in maritime, industrial and tourism-based investments for Freeport.
In a move to allay concerns about Freeport’s future, GBPA executives on Monday sent a clear message that investor confidence is strong and the business of the company will continue to progress.
“We have a fantastic team and all this talk in that area that the Port Authority is collapsing is absolute nonsense. Thanks to Edward and his business and foresight, he’s left us a tremendous legacy,” Sir Jack Hayward, GBPA owner, said during a press conference at the Port’s office.
Sir Albert Miller, who returned from retirement to a temporary leadership post in the GBPA after the September hurricanes, said Port executives will continue Mr. St. George’s vision in progressing the development of the Port area for the benefit of Grand Bahama and the nation.
Mr. St. George, during his tenure at the helm of the GBPA, is also credited with being a skillful negotiator, who was able to iron out problems with investment projects and help to promote a good investment climate for the island.
Willie Moss, GBPA President, told the Bahama Journal that, “[Our investors] are very satisfied with what Mr. St. George developed here…and he invoked in those persons the kind of confidence that makes them know that Freeport will go on.
“Freeport is the best place in The Bahamas to invest, particularly in industrial investment, and now in residential investment and so their confidence in what they are going to do in Freeport has not been shaken.”
GPBA employees could be seen openly weeping at the Port’s office on Monday morning as they learned the news of their chairman’s passing.
Grand Bahama residents remembered him for his philanthropy and his willingness to assist those in need.
Mr. St. George along with Sir Jack recently donated $1 million of their personal funds to assist in the restoration of schools damaged during Hurricane Frances. The late chairman was well known for his interest in supporting the educational endeavors of Grand Bahamian youth.
Former Prime Minister Ingraham told the Journal that, “He’s a man whose heart was certainly in Freeport, and I had great admiration for him.
“He promoted Freeport unlike any other…He contributed, together with his partner Sir Jack Hayward, greatly to the social life of Freeport, whether it was in terms of the new schools that were built, or the new gymnasiums, the new Supreme Court or [Freeport’s] sporting complex.”
Prime Minister Christie in a release issued Monday said Mr. St. George “was truly a giant in the economic development of our nation’s major city in the north.”
He added, “The people of Freeport and Grand Bahama must remain steadfast in this time of sorrow, secure in the knowledge that the Government of The Bahamas remains committed to working hand in hand with Sir Jack Hayward, Sir Albert Miller, Mrs. Willie Moss and the leadership of the Grand Bahama Port Authority for the continued success of Freeport.”
By Sharon Williams
The Bahama Journal
Edward St. George dead at age 76
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Edward St. George, chairman and co-owner of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), died in a Houston, Texas hospital early Monday morning. He was 76.
Mr. St. George passed away following complications from a heart valve replacement surgery in the United States.
Upon receiving news of his death, Prime Minister Perry Christie and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham hailed Mr. St. George, who chaired the GBPA since 1976, as being the driving force behind attracting and securing major developments for Freeport over the past three decades.
The largest investment partnership was forged with the Hutchison Whampoa group in the mid-1990’s – a partnership that has yielded close to $1 billion in maritime, industrial and tourism-based investments for Freeport.
In a move to allay concerns about Freeport’s future, GBPA executives on Monday sent a clear message that investor confidence is strong and the business of the company will continue to progress.
“We have a fantastic team and all this talk in that area that the Port Authority is collapsing is absolute nonsense. Thanks to Edward and his business and foresight, he’s left us a tremendous legacy,” Sir Jack Hayward, GBPA owner, said during a press conference at the Port’s office.
Sir Albert Miller, who returned from retirement to a temporary leadership post in the GBPA after the September hurricanes, said Port executives will continue Mr. St. George’s vision in progressing the development of the Port area for the benefit of Grand Bahama and the nation.
Mr. St. George, during his tenure at the helm of the GBPA, is also credited with being a skillful negotiator, who was able to iron out problems with investment projects and help to promote a good investment climate for the island.
Willie Moss, GBPA President, told the Bahama Journal that, “[Our investors] are very satisfied with what Mr. St. George developed here…and he invoked in those persons the kind of confidence that makes them know that Freeport will go on.
“Freeport is the best place in The Bahamas to invest, particularly in industrial investment, and now in residential investment and so their confidence in what they are going to do in Freeport has not been shaken.”
GPBA employees could be seen openly weeping at the Port’s office on Monday morning as they learned the news of their chairman’s passing.
Grand Bahama residents remembered him for his philanthropy and his willingness to assist those in need.
Mr. St. George along with Sir Jack recently donated $1 million of their personal funds to assist in the restoration of schools damaged during Hurricane Frances. The late chairman was well known for his interest in supporting the educational endeavors of Grand Bahamian youth.
Former Prime Minister Ingraham told the Journal that, “He’s a man whose heart was certainly in Freeport, and I had great admiration for him.
“He promoted Freeport unlike any other…He contributed, together with his partner Sir Jack Hayward, greatly to the social life of Freeport, whether it was in terms of the new schools that were built, or the new gymnasiums, the new Supreme Court or [Freeport’s] sporting complex.”
Prime Minister Christie in a release issued Monday said Mr. St. George “was truly a giant in the economic development of our nation’s major city in the north.”
He added, “The people of Freeport and Grand Bahama must remain steadfast in this time of sorrow, secure in the knowledge that the Government of The Bahamas remains committed to working hand in hand with Sir Jack Hayward, Sir Albert Miller, Mrs. Willie Moss and the leadership of the Grand Bahama Port Authority for the continued success of Freeport.”