The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Whether some of us accept it or not, the campaign for the next general election is on, with many voters already having given their verdict on the performance of the Perry Christie-led PLP administration. The major parties have already staked out their positions.

The problem for Mr Christie is that he knows the Bahamian people have lost confidence in his government’s integrity and its ability to govern. He is now looking for a legacy in BAMSI and the imported Carnival.

Dr Hubert Minnis, the Leader of the Free National Movement now has to convince the Bahamian public that he represents a return to integrity, and decent, accountable government.

By all accounts, the good doctor is building up a head of steam as he continues to unite his party and put the spotlight on the Christie government and its carefree approach to governance.

Last Friday, the Leader of the Opposition took his message to Free National Movement members in Exuma who were getting a first-hand look at the new Minnis’ leadership style. He explained to party supporters and other residents of the Island that his leadership style is based less on colourful oratory or the “my way or the highway,” method, but is more about accountability and bringing government closer to the people.

Accompanied by Senator Michael Pintard and the President of the Torchbearers Association, Ronique Brown, Dr Minnis told FNMs that this new generation of Bahamian voters, who are probably better educated and more exposed than the generation before them, demands more say in the governing process and more openness from politicians.

In a deliberate, considered and methodical speaking style, Dr Minnis assured his listeners that first and foremost, he is the undisputed leader of the FNM, and that following the party’s convention next year, he will lead the party to victory in 2017.

Dr Minnis said he wanted to rebuild the FNM from the ground up, make it a more open party where delegates to the convention would come and present their programmes for how they see their constituencies growing within the context of a national development plan. He said he also wanted a break from old style party politics where outsiders would tell the party supporters who their candidate would be. He said he wanted candidate selection to come, not from the party leadership, but from the constituencies, because they would know best who would have their true interest at heart and who would best take their cases to parliament.

The hottest topic in Exuma these days is the still the unknown time-frame of the opening of the new hospital in George Town. Dr Minnis took his time and explained the previous administration’s approach to providing modern and efficient health care for Family Island residents.

As the former Minister of Health in the Hubert Ingraham administration, Dr Minnis noted that it was the view at that time, that modern hospitals in Eluethera, Abaco and Exuma would be state of the art facilities and fully equipped with tele-transmission diagnostic capabilities. For example, a patient in one of the new hospitals would be received by a physician, and depending on their condition, would have their health status transmitted instantaneously to a team of specialist in Nassau or elsewhere, all in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. It would be just like using a smart phone or Skype, and patients would receive further diagnosis or treatment depending on the initial extended diagnosis. It would be an enormous savings to Bahamians as well as the total health care system. Patients in the Family Islands may not need to come to Nassau for certain treatments depending on the nature of the consultation. The Exuma facility was designed to serve all of great Exuma and the Exuma Cays, as well as the Southeastern Bahamas.

Several contractors and business owners attending the meeting told Dr Minnis that during the period from November to May, Exuma is home to several thousand non-hotel staying homeowners who would stay longer and spend more money in Exuma if they were assured of proper medical services.

Dr Minnis pledged that when the FNM becomes the next government of the Bahamas, his government will revisit the Local Government legislation and bring about a devolution of the central government’s influence and authority in local government affairs, particularly in revenue collection and spending on local matters.

Dr Minnis’ visit to Exuma came a week after and contrasted sharply with a visit by three government ministers for a Local Government town meeting. From all reports, the meeting, held at the community centre in George Town was a small disaster. Residents came to the meeting hoping to hear about development plans for the area from Minister of State for Finance, Halkitis, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell and Minister for Youth Sports and Culture Danny Johnson. They left disappointed.

George Town, the cruising capital in the Caribbean for hundreds of yachtsmen from November to May, is one of the least attractive Family Island settlements in the whole country, yet the three ministers and the Member of Parliament for the area, Tony Moss offered no ideas or plans on how the look of the town could be improved.

One resident estimated that Exuma and the Cays send an estimated $13m in taxes to the treasury each year, yet the local government budget is less than $400,000, two thirds of which is spent on salaries for workers in various government ministries. Exuma has a diverse tourism product, is home to one of the largest hotels in the Sandals chain yet the airport and public docks are probably the worst in the region. There are many new development projects whispered about, but they were not officially discussed at the meeting. Many attendees left perplexed.

Minister Halkitis promised he would check and determine whether it was a condition of the local government legislation that departure taxes and cruising yacht fees would remain in Local Government budgets where they were collected. Mr. Halkitis also didn’t expand Exuma’s residents understanding on how VAT would affect the cost of living in the Family Islands. One participant at the meeting noted that Exuma is subject to a “hidden tax” in the form of pilferage and theft from business houses with local authorities and police seemingly unable to do anything about it. It was noted that just recently, an off shore island that once housed a research centre changed ownership, but before the new owners could take possession, valuable equipment and furnishing was transported away by some of the local residents.

The biggest embarrassment of the evening was saved for the Member of Parliament, Tony Moss, who is also an ordained deacon in the Baptist Church. A church member and meeting participant who admitted she voted for him in the last election asked him how come he could go to Nassau and vote to legalise gambling before checking with his constituents. It was not a good night for the PLP in Exuma.

M THOMPSON

Nassau,

September 30, 2014.