By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter

krystal@nasguard.com

Government officials have already erected signs notifying residents of Williams Town of their decision to place Grand Bahama's new cruise ship facility in that settlement.

The sign, which has been in place for more than a week, reads: "Take notice that pursuant to section 4 of the Acquisition of Land Act... it appears to the Minister responsible for the acquisition and disposition of lands (Hubert Ingraham) that the land described ... is likely to be needed for the public purpose of promoting the tourist traffic of The Bahamas and providing increased harbour and dock facilities and for uses related hereto."

The sign went on to inform residents that persons are now authorized to carry out several activities including the surveying of the land, digging in to the land, clearing the land, setting out boundaries, and any other acts necessary to determine whether the land is suitable for the purpose outlined.

As the government moves ahead with its plans, residents appear to be in full support of the proposed cruise port being in that area.

One such resident, Linda Williams said she thinks the cruise port is "an excellent idea, especially for that particular area."

Williams said she hopes it would be structured in such a way that will be accommodating both for tourists and locals.

"So for the tourists, instead of them having to travel so far for beach access and for shopping, it will be made accessible for them and in turn the locals will somehow benefit from it," she said.

"Most of the time when they do come in they are looking for a beach and for souvenirs and stuff so it will help the local vendors."

Williams said she understands that plans are already in the works to build stalls along the recently constructed sea wall where the residents can operate businesses selling food and souvenirs.

As to questions by some as to whether the cruise ship passengers will be able to gain access to the Williams Town strip or whether it will be blocked off, Williams said she hopes the latter will not be the case.

"I hope that they will make it accessible to us all, and not try to make it gated."

Warren Carroll, who operates the Bikini Bottoms Restaurant and Bar on the Williams Town Road, agrees that the cruise port will be a positive addition to the area.

"I think it will be a good thing if they let all the people in the town, the people who live here do business and don't let nobody else come in here and interfere," he said.

"But if they bring in somebody to do things like water sports and not let the people in town do their own thing, that would be a bad thing. The people that live here should have first preference in anything that they do around here."

Resident Lenise Williams said she hopes the construction of the cruise port will mean increased business for those residents who currently operate bars along the road.

"I think it will promote business for Williams Town. I think it would be a good idea. I think the tourists will be able to come on the beach and we have bars and everyone is coming out, buying food and sitting on the wall having a good time," she said.

George Williams also expressed his hope that the port will bring financial benefits to residents of that area.

"When they have these big projects, they always try to cut out the small man but I hope something could trickle down to the residents," he said.

"If they allow us to construct booths, and allow the residents to benefit from it, I think it's a good idea in general, to have a major cruise port near to the settlement where you live."