By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
TWO YEARS after coming to office Prime Minster Perry Christie said yesterday he is “satisfied” with the government’s achievements and his ministers performances to date.
While declining to give his government a grade for their accomplishments so far, Mr Christie said he is “happy” with his cabinet and the progress the government has made – despite some challenges.
Two of those challenges are not setting firm dates for the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) and the constitutional referendum.
“Firstly, we are elected for five years and so, in the context of grades, I am giving a performance in the context of what I know we have achieved and invariably people are not aware to the extent of which I can now speak. I am happy with my ministers; we have had our challenges.
“For example, today I was speaking with the minister about the question of mortgage relief and I was speaking with the Minster of State for Finance and I do not see that as a failing or a failure. We see that as we have to recalibrate our approach because we still remain convinced that we have to make an intervention on behalf of homeowners,” he said.
“We have issues like that. Having said that I am satisfied that where we are today: people will begin to see the results and quickly and it is not easy. But in terms of all areas, there is dynamic movement in terms of new policies and new initiatives. So I am happy with my group. No, I am not going to give A, B, C, D or G but I am happy because I believe we are here to serve the Bahamian people and we are serving them as best we can up to this point.”
Despite, the Prime Minister’s praise of his administration, the government still has not confirmed a date for the Implementation of VAT, which has been postponed from July 1, or the constitutional referendum, which has been delayed three times.
Mr Christie did confirm that VAT will still be introduced, but at a lower rate than the 15 per cent first announced.
He said: “We have been discussing VAT for sometime; the minster indicated that as of July 1st they want it to be introduced. The Coalition for Reformed Taxation said they wish to present to the government an alternative in the form of payroll tax so we gave them the time to do that. We believe that they are about to submit their report.
“We are going to have a significantly reduced VAT, it is fair for me to say that we are going to have VAT. There is no target date. We discussed the implementation of dates and timing and we decided that we want to ensure that the people who the tax will serve understand it and therefore we want to give significant time for VAT understanding to be in place.”
Last month, New Zealand VAT expert Dr Don Brash said the implementation of VAT should be delayed until April 2015.
As it relates to the constitutional referendum, the Prime Minister said the bills have gone to their lawyers and a date will be set as soon as the House signs off on the bill.
Comments
John 9 years, 11 months ago
The good thing about a government is that it is a living, breathing creature. It has eyes to see and ears to hear. Once it is willing to listen to the people and to see its own shortcomings and mistakes, it can only get better
Honestman 9 years, 11 months ago
Quite, but this is not the hallmark of this administration. Just the opposite in fact.
sheeprunner12 9 years, 11 months ago
Media v PLP....................... who won at the press conference????????
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 11 months ago
I was amazed at how angry Perry was towards the media. And am even more amazed no word on it on the papers today. I would have spotlighted his anger in an article.
Purcell 9 years, 11 months ago
What was the media thinking? That he will come out and be negative about his job performance? That would be a first in the world for any politician.
kairosmatt 9 years, 11 months ago
"in the context of grades, I am giving a performance in the context of what I know we have achieved and invariably people are not aware to the extent of which I can now speak." Meaningless drivel. But typical. No wonder we're screwed.
kairosmatt 9 years, 11 months ago
And grade 'G'?? Shows you how much we value education...thanks PM.
Purcell 9 years, 11 months ago
That assumes he can make it to the letter G when reciting his ABCs without someone whispering it to him.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 11 months ago
and invariably people are not aware to the extent of which I can now speak.
Who's fault is that if not yours? We have no clue what your agenda is, Shame came out the other day basically to say you're winging it with contracts as things pop up.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 11 months ago
I got a perfect analogy from an acquaintance today:
John Bahamian campaigns hard for and wins the CEO position at XYZ company, sometime during his first month he passes the cafeteria and notices that the cupboards are in need of repair and painting, he calls up maintenance and has them order a batch of paint and some wood supplies for the necessary repairs. In the second month while walking in the parking lot he notices several brown spots in the grass, he calls landscaping and says "man this is a disgrace, XYZ has an image to maintain do something" about these brown spots"...in the next four weeks another job well done, XYZ's grass lawn is flourishing. In month three, Bob walks in the CEO's office and reports that they have to do something to improve staff morale, so CEO commissions an all expenses paid fun and games day. The staff are all happy, the kitchen looks great, the landscaping looks plush, and man! that party really brought everyone together. It was a great first quarter. There was a flurry of activity, everyone was busy getting the cabinets repaired, watering the grass and organizing the party.lots of things accomplished...
the question is, was the CEO hired to bring the grass back to life and repair cabinets?
SP 9 years, 11 months ago
Christie is out of touch. Ten's of thousands of unemployed Bahamian's are Not Satisfied With PLP First Two Years In Government.
The Haitians, Asians, Latinos, Jamaicans, Africans and others holding Bahamian jobs are very happy with the PLP & FNM.
Purcell 9 years, 11 months ago
Government jobs are not jobs, they are going in debt and taxing real working people and business to buy votes.
Tarzan 9 years, 11 months ago
"He is satisfied." A new standard in low expectations.
Purcell 9 years, 11 months ago
His motto is: "Aim low and overachieve."
asiseeit 9 years, 11 months ago
He might think he is doing a great job but sadly the people who HIRED him are not all that impressed. The PLP is just as out of touch with the reality of ordinary Bahamians as the FNM was. A person with millions of dollars will never understand the problems of a man with tens or hundreds of dollars.
sheeprunner12 9 years, 11 months ago
If the fools dont have bread, let them eat cake.................... u know what happened to the author of those infamous words???????????..... CHOP OFF ITS HEAD
Thats how Bahamian politicians are treating the average Bahamian today
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