FREEPORT, G.B. – Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Melvin Seymour, officially welcomed 57 people from the City of Riviera Beach to Grand Bahama on Wednesday, June 13.

Heading the delegation was Ms. Billie Brooks, chairperson for the City of Riviera Beach Council. They City of Freeport Local Government Council, headed by Chief Councillor, Kevin Ferguson, has established a strong working relationship with the Council for Riviera Beach and is acting as chaperone for the group.

They arrived on Grand Bahama early Wednesday morning and paid a courtesy call on Ministry for Grand Bahama before taking on a tour and shopping at Port Lucaya, Garden of the Groves and Taino Beach. They travelled to Grand Bahama onboard the cruise-ship Celebration and were in town just for the day.

Mr. Ferguson said a relationship was established with Riviera Beach in February and that the Council is working diligently to make sure that the relationship is beneficial to both cities. “Also we were looking into ways in which we could do some student exchanges and Councilwoman Brooks has started this very quickly by bringing a contingent of Girl’s Scouts to Grand Bahama and the City of Freeport and we are pleased to have them here, and we are looking forward to our Girl’s Scouts and our Girl’s Scouts leaders to make a similar trip to Riviera Beach,” he explained.

In welcoming the group to Grand Bahama, Mr. Seymour explained that is was the first time that a Ministry for Grand Bahama was established, and that the Minister, the Hon. Michael Darville was aware of the group's visit and sent his best wishes. He explained that Mr. Darville was attending a session of Parliament in New Providence.

He told the group that Grand Bahama is “the place to be and we certainly hope that you would be no stranger to us as your relationship with the City Council of Freeport cement and we will see you here often.” Councilwoman Brooks responded and brought greetings from the Mayor and City Council of Riviera Beach.

“It is just so wonderful that after establishing this relationship that I am able to bring over this wonderful group of Girl’s Scouts. The Scout master and I had a relationship from years ago and I thought well when they want to do a tour of Florida that certainly I would like for them to come over and meet everyone here in Freeport, especially the young ladies.

“So greetings everyone and this will not be my last trip. We said that we were going to try to establish a relationship where we would bring tourism here to promote your economy and to introduce people to the culture of The Bahamas, the wonderful hospitality we have always enjoyed,” she stated.

Also assisting the City of Freeport Council in hosting the group are members of the Grand Bahama Girl's Brigade and Rachel’s Daughters organisation.