By TAMARA DELANEY

Freeport News Reporter

tdelaney@nasguard.com

Prominent businessman Michael Edwards voiced strong support of the Grand Bahama Port Authority's (GBPA) appointment of Hannes Babak as chairman yesterday, saying it is a favourable move with him.

Noting the many debates and discussions surrounding the new position of Babak, a businessman and licensee of the GBPA, Edwards said that he has no difficulty with the appointment whatsoever.

"I am advocating anything that the Port Authority or the government of the Bahamas makes that would impact positively the lives of the citizens of Grand Bahama," Edwards stated.

As president and director of Island Chain Investments Ltd., the local businessman said the past accomplishments of Babak proves that he is the right individual for the job.

"I think Mr. Babak has demonstrated his ability to generate financial and economic activities. His records show that he has the ability to do that and as a result of that, I support any such moves."

Hannes Babak, a native of Austria, was appointed to the new post three weeks ago following the abrupt resignation of then Co-chairman and CEO Julian Francis on June 1.

Reports claim that corporate Grand Bahama fears that with Babak's many business interests in Freeport – including the First Commercial Centre, H & F Babak Construction Company, being a major shareholder of Freeport Concrete Company; the parent company of The Home Centre – and with the GBPA being the licensee, his position shows a conflict of interest.

Edwards however, dispelled such claims saying Grand Bahama should focus on more important matters other than GBPA's appointment of their chairman.

"I do not see it as a conflict of interest. I think the Port Authority has within its right to appoint whomever they wish to be chairman of their company," he said.

"Furthermore, I am convinced that we should be focusing our attention on other things instead of nit-picking on the appointment of an individual that has been appointed to a private company."

The businessman went on to say that Grand Bahama is in need of serious injection of business activities because it has been slow for the past five years.

He complimented the GBPA, stating he believes the Port Authority made the right choice in re-appointing Sir Albert Miller to the position of CEO adding that both men are proven to be impeccable leaders of the community.

"What I would like to say is, let us put our personalities and differences aside and move toward the building of a brighter Grand Bahama because this island cannot take two or three years of non-economic activities," he said.

As a the chief developer of the Sunrise Sub-divisions project, Edwards has been in business on Grand Bahama for the past six years and a licensee of the Port for more than 18 years.

Being a permanent resident in Grand Bahama for some 12 years, Babak's role with the GBPA includes being a delegate of the shareholders, controlling new investments and structure for the investor on behalf of the GBPA group of companies.

STRONG SUPPORT – Michael Edwards, president and director of Island Chain Investments Ltd., revealed strong support yesterday for the Grand Bahama Port Authority's (GBPA) appointment of Hannes Babak as the new chairman.

(Photo taken by BRADLEY RUTHERFORD)