The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham dedicated his final campaign to his grandmother's memory as he pledged his commitment to public life and the Bahamian people.

Mr Ingraham underscored his deep-rooted connection to Abaco, his childhood home, and shared with supporters an autobiography of his leadership journey during rallies in Bimini and Abaco this weekend.

Mr Ingraham told supporters that they would be making history by electing an FNM government for a fourth term in office and stated his confidence in Bimini candidate, journalist Pakesia Parker.

Proclaiming that sitting MP for West End and Bimini Obie Wilchcombe was a good broadcaster but failed as a representative, Mr Ingraham said the PLP were hiding senior members due to embarrassment or scandal.

"The PLP produced many an embarrassment in the last election. Do you ever hear about Sidney Stubbs, Vincent Peet, Keod Smith, Bradley Roberts, Allyson Maynard and shameless Shane Gibson?" he asked.

Mr Ingraham said the PLP's mantra of "believing in Bahamians" was only a slogan evidenced through their cancellation of government subsidies on guaranteed educational loans; and their failure to build a new school or health clinic during their term in office.

"That is why, notwithstanding the impact of the global economic recession upon our economy, we, the FNM Government, increased social service assistance, expanded NIB benefit programmes and engaged additional policemen, defence force marines, immigration and customs officers.

"Those others are busy trying to deflect attention from their weak leader; trying desperately to convince the Bahamian population that this election is not about leadership."

Speaking before supporters in Porgy Bay, Bimini, Mr Ingraham outlined infrastructure and telecommunication initiatives undertaken by his government on the island.

Mr Ingraham told supporters that he need 650 votes from the island to continue the work his party began in 1992 and furthered in 2007.

He underscored the government's agreement to pay 80 per cent of health insurance premiums for public school teachers and promised Bimini supporters that if they elected an FNM government the island would receive a new high school on the island, and new dormitories at the College of The Bahamas for family island students, for whom rental stipends may be provided based on need.

An FNM government would also construct a new complex to house government agencies, establish branches of the Public Treasury and Registrar General's office, and make improvements to the airport and public spaces, Mr Ingraham said.

Similar promises were made in Abaco, where Mr Ingraham outlined his vision to make the country a global model for small-island state development. Touting infrastructure like the new government complex and new initiatives to sustain population growth and investment, Mr Ingraham looked forward to completing his agenda to develop a port here at Conch Rock in North Abaco.

Mr Ingraham said: "I have come to ask you, the good and loyal people of North Abaco for one more term to complete the journey we began when you first elected the grandson of Prince and Elizabeth Cornish nee Cooper to Parliament some 35 years ago.

While a teaching profession was his first choice, Mr Ingraham said his grandmother wanted him to be a lawyer and supported his pursuit of the profession.

"I was only able to add chapters to my Bahamian story because of the early chapters of that story which Mama helped me to write. My story is so deeply tied to hers and yours."

"It was as if her dream and faith in The Bahamas reached a fuller measure than she could have ever imagined. I have tried my best to deserve being 'her boy' and to make her proud because, for me, she lived a life of self-denial, a life of hard work and of sacrifice."