The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

SENATOR Kwasi Thompson dismissed last month's Speech from the Throne as "promises on a sheet of paper" and expressed doubts the government would be able to deliver on the items listed.

In his first contribution in the Senate, Mr Thompson called the Speech "good," but demanded the government take steps to reduce crime and provide jobs, as noted.

"The PLP have presented a good speech - they are good at speeches," he said.

"However, given the state of our country we will need more than good speeches.

"There are many promises in this speech. They are good at making promises. What I am not convinced of is whether they will deliver."

He acknowledged the government had "gotten it right" and commended the PLP for recognising that the two "main priorities" for the country are crime and the economy.

However, Mr Thompson said, the speech "does not match the urgency or depth" required to address the "critical challenges" facing the country.

"The Bahamian public, I believe, expected more and I expected more. Certainly in our role as opposition we will be demanding more on behalf of the people from this government," he said.

"We demand more than promises on a piece of paper . . . We demand a reduction in murders and crime, because that is what you said you will do.

"We demand jobs for every Bahamian and a thriving economy despite the recession because that is what you said you will do."

The public will demand more than school policing and the recently launched Urban Renewal 2.0 as a means of reducing crime, Mr Thompson said.

"Actually, it will require an acknowledgment, commitment, continuation and advancement of a number of FNM policies," he said. "For example electronic monitoring, CCTV, stiffer penalties, stiffer bail requirements, more police officers, more judges, and more criminal courts, all of which were delivered by the FNM."

The public also expect jobs, Mr Thompson said.

"No excuses about the recession or the state you met the economy in," he said. "Unfortunately, what I do not see is a real jobs programme for the immediate future, nor do I see a real training programme for the immediate future."

Also speaking on the government's Mortgage Relief Plan, the senator said he will await details of its implementation in less than 100 days.

"Moody's comments on the Mortgage Relief Plan were clearly a warning to the government not to proceed in the manner detailed in your charter for governance," he said.

Mr Thompson also claimed items listed in the speech don't "match the needs required" in the areas of housing and the environment.

"The Bahamas will soon confront the issue of oil exploration," he said. "It would have been useful to see a statement on the government's intention or the way forward on this critical issue.

"Unfortunately, the speech was silent on one of the most important decisions we will have to make since independence.

"Given the admitted previous relationship of the Prime Minister with an oil company, it is my considered view that we may face a dilemma that has no easy solution."