The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

BRANVILLE McCartney handed out a number of failing grades to the Christie administration yesterday while encouraging the Progressive Liberal Party to “back aside and allow good governance” to take place in the country.

The Democratic National Alliance leader said the PLP should focus on governing in the best interest of the citizens of the Bahamas instead of governing to benefit special interest groups, cronies and themselves.

Mr McCartney said: “Our country is in a bad place now and we need to do everything we can to save our nation. There needs to be a detailed plan of action that illustrates the road forward.”

He added: “The PLP campaigned on everything but the kitchen sink. They didn’t give any indication that they planned to add another burden to the backs of the Bahamian people.”

“VAT is on its way and the issue is no more clearer than the day it was introduced. This government did a horrible job educating the public on this new form of tax. They forced businesses to sign up and become VAT ready, but haven’t answered a number of critical questions concerning the tax.”

The former Bamboo Town MP said of the PLP government: “They have no clear fiscal direction for this country. We are in no position to handle VAT as a country. The Bahamas is still trying to gain its footing after the 2008 recession, we aren’t VAT ready. This government has failed us once again.”

Mr McCartney added that crime is still an issue that the PLP seems to have no answer for.

“The fear of crime has grown tremendously under this regime. The criminals are no longer afraid, we have murder after murder, violent crime after violent crime.”

He added: “Bernard Nottage needs to go back to gynaecology because it is clear he doesn’t have the answers to solve our crime issues.

“The only way to truly fix the country is to first correct a failing government,” he added.

VAT takes effect on January 1.