By SIMON LEWIS

Bahamas Information Services

Prime Minister Perry Christie officially opened a new bonefishing lodge at Sweeting's Cay, Grand Bahama, on Saturday evening, calling on more Bahamians to seize the many opportunities that are rapidly coming on stream in a developing Bahamas.

The prime minister applauded businessman Fritz Thompson for constructing the Sweeting's Cay Bonefishing Lodge, saying that bonefishing or fly-fishing is a sport many rich persons enjoy.

The new Sweeting's Cay Lodge, which was constructed at a cost of some $500.000, sits on stilts in waters near the entrance of Sweeting's Cay and is being hailed as a plus for that small fishing community.

It comprises 3,000 square feet with four bedrooms, kitchen and dining lounge and patio deck, and it is already a popular place to relax and unwind and prepared to accommodate and entertain tourist and day groups.

Prime Minister Christie used Saturday's opening to inform residents that they have found the formula to bring cable television to small remote areas like Sweeting's Cay.

Likewise, he touched on the government's commitment to bring good potable water to the people of Sweeting's Cay and other parts of The Bahamas by way of Reverse Osmosis plants. He said the plant for Sweeting's Cay has been ordered and will be there shortly. He said cable television and good water are important for industries like the one developed by Thompson.

Christie told the gathering that those Bahamians who have the will and the initiative must realize that Prime Ministers don't make idle talk about the economies, particularly when they are approaching general elections.

"And with the confidence that I have is this economy of Grand Bahama, it is for me to tell you again today that you must take advantage of the opportunities now, because every development that I have said will happen, will take place," he said.

Christie further noted that the future of The Bahamas "depends on the extent to which Bahamians take advantage of the opportunities that will be theirs."

"And as I said earlier today, I am speaking to PLPs, I am speaking to FNMs, and I am speaking to anybody else who has other party affiliations. I am speaking to Bahamians! It doesn't have any colour, it doesn't have any politics," Christie said. "I am speaking about the fact that as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I would have the same level of pride if Kenneth (Russell – FNM MP for High Rock) was to succeed in business as if Obie (Wilchcombe – Tourism Minister) was to succeed in business," he said.

According to Mr. Christie no line can be drawn in uplifting our Bahamian people and it is the kind of commitment that all of us must make.

He said that as far as the inflow of capital, money coming into the country is concerned, there is a huge amount of money coming into the country and a huge amount is coming into Grand Bahama.

"As we unfold these developments you will see them for yourselves. But you cannot wait for them to happen to have vision," Mr. Christie said while encouraging Bahamians to act on that vision now.

He said Thompson and his family have acted on a vision and that he has a commitment.

"In coming here and making an investment in this particular spot in Bonefish Lodge, let me tell you what he has done. He has recognized that this step he has taken is involving himself in a $500 million industry that is yet to be exploited fully in this country.

Pointing out that fly-fishing, which also includes bonefishing, is a pasttime and the pursuit of business executives and people with monies, Christie said persons partake in that sport all over the world, but more so in The Bahamas when they could no longer engage in the sport elsewhere because of cold weather.

The Prime Minister told the proprietor that the industry in which he is now engaged will enable him, if he does it the right way, "to have people visit here and make a decision every year to come back here and spend minimum periods of time bonefishing."

According to the Prime Minister what Sweeting's Cay is about to experience by the investment of the Sweeting's Cay Bonefishing Lodge is the beginning of a successful industry participation by Fritz Thompson and family.

He told Thompson that even though he has studied the industry, marketing the business requires the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism

Saturday's opening, he said, represented another proud day "in the life of our country, because another Bahamian has heeded to the call to get involved directly in the business of tourism."

BONEFISH LODGE — Prime Minister Perry Christie officially opened the Sweeting's Cay Bonefish Lodge on Saturday. Seen at the ribbon cutting from left to right are: Shanta Thompson, Prime Minister Christie, Fritz Thompson, Fritzroy Thompson, Jr., Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and High Rock MP Kenneth Russell. (BIS photo by VANDYKE HEPBURN