PM Urges Bahamian students to take advantage of opportunities at home

By Lindsay Thompson

MONTEGO, Jamaica – Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis’ first order of business after he touched down at the Donald Sangster International Airport forThe Thirty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, was to meet with Bahamian students studying at the University of the West Indies and Northern Caribbean University.

On Tuesday, July 3 during a reception at the sprawling and historic Rose Hall property, the Prime Minister outlined provisions under the National Budget and other incentives to attract young people to return home and further develop The Bahamas specifically within the next 10 years.

He told the group of students who remained for summer classes that the Government is making a paradigm shift in the future development of the country. The students were brought to Rose Hall by three-hour bus ride sponsored by The Bahamas.

As 60 percent of The Bahamas’ population is under 60 years old, he said that it is essential to protect future generations and provide avenues for their livelihood.

One of those areas he talked about was the recently established Public Service Modernization Unit and that it is essential people, especially the young people, are tech savvy.

Specifically to the students studying medicine the Prime Minister pointed out the need for doctors and nurses on the Family Islands.
He also mentioned the affordable homes initiative, which provides for the purchasing of developed land at $30,000 and the building of homes, duty free.

“We would need you back home to help to grow our economy,” the Prime Minister said. “We need you home, we need you to build The Bahamas.”
The Prime Minister is leading The Bahamas’ delegation to the Thirty-Ninth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.