Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper thought he was having a private exchange with Prime Minister Philip Davis at a press conference in Grand Bahama on Tuesday. Instead, a live microphone picked up a candid whisper, offering an unfiltered glimpse into how the government views criticism surrounding Grand Bahama’s economic recovery.
After Davis wrapped up his responses to reporters, Cooper leaned in and quietly said, “Celebration Cay has 1,200 employees. Grand Bahama Shipyard has another 1,200. Things are booming. That’s money in the economy. They want to pick at the negative. But well done.”
The moment came just seconds after reporters pressed Davis on whether residents are actually feeling the progress the government says is happening in the nation’s second city.
Watch here the Cabinet Press Conference in Grand Bahama
Eyewitness News reporter Jose Etienne asked Davis to point to tangible outcomes of the administration’s work, noting that some Grand Bahamians told him they had yet to see real change.
In response, Davis pointed to increased traffic from residents of other islands. “So that ought to speak to what’s happening,” he said. “We have created the conditions for economic growth. That’s why people are coming.”
He also highlighted a rise in tourism arrivals, saying current numbers have not been seen before.
It was after those remarks that Cooper’s whispered encouragement and frustration were captured by the hot mic.
The exchange took place during a Cabinet visit to Grand Bahama, where the government held meetings and made announcements related to the Grand Lucayan Resort and the Grand Bahama International Airport, two long-stalled projects now being emphasized ahead of the looming general election.
Why this matters
Cooper’s whispered frustration reveals pressure inside the government to defend its Grand Bahama record. That tells voters that Grand Bahama is still a battleground for the government, and the administration knows it. Cooper’s comments suggest the government believes economic gains in Grand Bahama are real, perhaps unfairly overshadowed by public criticism.
As the country moves closer to an election, Grand Bahama is again a political test. The issue remains whether progress is real.