On Tuesday afternoon, May 5th, 2026, one week ahead of the 2026 national general elections, which saw the incumbent government returned to the seat of responsibility for governance and development of the country, Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis, along with Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting, joined by former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and several other cabinet ministers, and Ministry of Works officials, were in Tarpum Bay, South Eleuthera, to formally commission the new fishermen’s dock, a focal point within the community, tucked along its coast, just off the main highway.
The new dock was described as a fully functional fishermen’s docking facility, with a new boat ramp for safe launching and landing, breakwater barrier for protection from rough seas, and modern fish cleaning stations. Some of the improvements highlighted that could be enjoyed by the community as a whole, included: improved shoreline work, and enhanced lighting in public areas – creating a welcoming space for residents as well as visitors.
The facility was said to be 120 feet long, with a strong, modern structure, equipped with easy-access ladders, solar lighting for visibility and safety, green spaces and seating, a 100-foot boulder for vessel protection, and platform facilities with showers and storage areas.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs, Dr. Anya Symonette, welcomed the audience of community members and other Eleutherans to the short ceremony, expressing how honoured she felt, sharing her personal connection with Tarpum Bay as her grandmother’s birthplace, while recalling how she played in the same space as a child. She said, “I’m certain that you will get a lot of pleasure from this facility. This could be a really good multi-purpose facility. And I’m sure that you will do all that you can to make the most of it.” Dr. Symonette also lauded the work ethic of Minister Sweeting, saying that in the less than two years she had worked with him, he had been very busy getting things done all across the country. Adding that she had found him to be a resourceful, results-oriented leader, who worked hard for the people of Eleuthera and the Bahamas.
In his brief remarks, before introducing the Prime Minister as the keynote speaker, Minister Sweeting, pointed to the support he had received from PM Davis as he went about his work, recognizing how instrumental that support was to bringing a number of infrastructural goals to life, and to fruition.
Describing Tarpum Bay, and the impact of the new dock works, Sweeting said, “There is something special about a community like this. A place where the sea is not just scenery, but a way of life, where livelihoods depend on what these waters provide, and where infrastructure like this dock is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. And if you have lived here long enough, you would remember that this dock was once worn by time, damaged by storms, and no longer able to serve the people who depended on it… Today, that story changes. We are not just opening a dock, we are restoring a lifeline. A lifeline for fishermen, for families, but most importantly, a lifeline for the community… This is one of the most significant capital investments that this community has seen in a very long time. So, it’s a game changer.”
Minister Sweeting also brought attention to a gentleman seated in the audience, Mr. Martin ‘Moe’ Munroe of Tarpum Bay. He called him out to highlight the fact that ahead of Independence celebrations in 1973, Mr. Munroe was responsible for building a pavilion at the south end of the dock area, which housed a podium, where the Bahamas’ Declaration of Independence could be read, during that very first celebration in 1973. To commemorate this effort, rather than tearing down the pavilion, Minister Sweeting informed that it had been refurbished, to honour the efforts of residents like Mr. Munroe, who helped lay the foundations for the country.
Prime Minister Davis, in his keynote address, spoke about his administration having a special commitment to Family Islands development. He stated that the $1.6 million investment in the Tarpum Bay docking facility was a testament to the value placed on the community and its people, emphasizing that fishing is not just economically important, but also central to Bahamian identity. “Supporting the fishing industry means supporting people. And we remain committed to doing what is necessary to help you grow and sustain this way of life, and improve the quality of life. This is only the beginning. We have an economic plan for each and every island in this country that will transform our economy with Family Islands leading the way.”
The new dock, concluded the Prime Minister, was intended to strengthen community life, support work, and bring families and community members together for years to come.
