PM vows to make good on Family Island promises

As of Friday, June 27, 2014

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE government is in the midst of prioritising development for this year now that the budget has been passed in the Senate, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.

Mr Christie underscored the intention to make good on his promises to develop the Family Islands, adding that a tangible impact will be made before the end of his term.

“The question now is being able to make a determination on how we are going to spend the resources that are available to us this year,” Mr Christie said, “that’s the decision that we are in the process of making now. We need roads in Acklins, we need roads in Andros and they are so significant in terms of the cost of them.

“We know we need some buildings. We need schools and so those are the decisions that we will make towards ensuring that we have a defined approach to our capital development spending and we want to do the spending in such a way that it acts as a stimulus for employment confidence in a particular area.”

Pointing to the considered focus on strategic development in Andros, Mr Christie said he will announce plans for infrastructural development in the southern Bahamas in the upcoming weeks.

Mr Christie spoke to the press at a multi-agency exhibition on disaster preparedness hosted by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at Rawson Square yesterday.

NEMA Director, Captain Stephen Russell, emphasised the importance of preparedness in a comprehensive disaster management plan as he pointed to the collective roles of governmental departments and agencies in ensuring effective mitigation, response and recovery.

During his opening address, Mr Christie underscored the need for greater awareness of climate change, and rising sea levels. He said he planned to make a statement on the matter at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Antigua.

He said: “I’m one of those persons talking at the highest level worldwide on climate change and its impact on small island nations like the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. We are not responsible for the origin and impact of climate change, but we have to get those countries in the world who have contributed to the serious dangers that now exist as a result of it, to recognise that countries like the Bahamas would look to countries like the Maldives and see it’s under water, knowing that only a rise of three metres in some islands would put an island under water and therefore the civilisation of the Bahamas can be easily threatened by the potential that exists.”

Mr Christie also called for the relocation of shore-side graveyards for the protection of loved ones’ bodies at risk during hurricanes.

ballot 9 years, 10 months ago

I certainly hope that one of the Islands he pays special attention to is Morse Island Abaco, where he personally promised the people that within his first 100 days he would cause to happen a morgue to be built and a first class track for the talented athletes to have to run on, in his words "YOU ARE TO TALENTED NOT TO HAVE IT". 2 years into his term and nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!.This guy is a joke, I swear.

sheeprunner12 9 years, 10 months ago

I hope everyone watching the Parliamentary Channel saw Allyson Maynard Gibson's display board showing proposed investment projects in the Family Islands.......... two had no black dots on them ....... Long Island and Ragged Island .................. go figger.

As to Moore's Island (correct spelling) ......... its a Haitian enclave like Salina Point, Acklins ........ go figger!!!!

ChaseThisLIght 9 years, 10 months ago

What on earth makes you think Moore's Island is a 'Haitian enclave'? I live in Abaco and it's far from that. It's very much a PLP town, but I don't think there are ANY Haitians living there. I've certainly never seen any. They have been loyal PLP supporters for decades, but they never get anything back for their support. Had the FNM won, they probably wouldn't have gotten their track, but I doubt they'll get it under the PLP. They might get their morgue, probably right before the next election, but what does it say about the PLP that all they can promise their loyal supporters is someplace for them after they are dead - nothing to help keep the young people there.

sheeprunner12 9 years, 10 months ago

You dont know your history .............. thats why we are in serious problems

B_I_D___ 9 years, 10 months ago

Whenever I see a headline or quote of the PM 'promising' anything...I just find myself in fits of laughter...I don't know why!!??

GrassRoot 9 years, 10 months ago

Words are cheap. And the PM's words cheaper.

GrassRoot 9 years, 10 months ago

"Mr Christie also called for the relocation of shore-side graveyards for the protection of loved ones’ bodies at risk during hurricanes."

I think his is important and needs to be dealt with, more importantly is that our future, our children have electricity, good teachers and school books so they can read and think and invent and make a lo of money so can pay off the mess our generation is leaving them.

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