By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Democratic National Alliance yesterday offered a harsh assessment of the Christie administration’s performance in the three years since it has been elected to govern.
The Progressive Liberal Party’s third anniversary was last week Thursday. As he examined those three years in office, DNA leader Branville McCartney said in a press statement that the government has failed to fulfil its promises and has instead been mired in scandal.
“Despite its many campaign promises, the past three years of PLP governance has done nothing to move the country forward,” he said.
“Instead, the (prime minister) and his Cabinet have dismissed opportunities to empower the people of this country opting instead to seek the input of foreign consultants above the expertise which exists locally.
“Repeated instances of reckless and wasteful spending – including millions spent on lavish trips for large government delegations – has only further widened the country’s national debt and led to the increased tax burden with which Bahamians now contend.”
Mr McCartney said Prime Minister Perry Christie lacks focus and vision for the country as seen in the government’s failure to meet “self-imposed deadlines for matters of policy such as freedom of information (legislation), energy reform and environmental legislation”.
Mr McCartney accused Mr Christie of being more concerned about his own legacy than with being an effective manager of the country’s affairs.
“Rather than delivering the accountable and transparent governance which it promised, this Christie led administration has found itself mired down (in) political scandal, flouting the rule of law at every turn in a bid to protect their personal interests and agendas.
“Before the dust settles on one set of allegations, new scandals are unearthed. Early on in this term in office, the country was rocked by the allegations that millions of dollars in public funds had been misappropriated at the National Insurance Board. One forensic audit, millions of dollars and two years later though, no criminal charges have been filed against any of the individuals allegedly involved.
“Similar investigations were launched back in 2013 into missing funds within the Department of Road Traffic. Unfortunately, this government has provided no concrete answers about that matter either.
“Even more shocking still was the loss of $10m in prescription drugs from the Public Hospital’s Authority which resulted in up to three separate forensic audits all of which occurred at the expense of the public purse, but which resulted in no arrests or criminal charges.”
Mr McCartney, arguing that the government has sometimes failed to put in place proper checks and balances to protect taxpayer funds, pointed to recent controversies like questionable spending within the Urban Renewal Small Home Repairs programme.
“Equally troubling has been the attitude of government ministers,” he said, “which has ranged from outright arrogance to defensiveness – in the face of such damning evidence against them. This government has, as a whole displayed a lack of respect for the electorate as evidenced by the disregard shown for the gaming referendum results and most recently the handling of the Rubis gas leak.”
Comments
duppyVAT 8 years, 12 months ago
Just three years???????? They have been at this "failed promises" thing since 1967!!!!!!!!!!!!
birdiestrachan 8 years, 12 months ago
What can one really expect from Bran.? He wants to be PM. and as for vision he is out to lunch. but he does want hangings in Rawson Square.. That is the extend of his vision.
asiseeit 8 years, 12 months ago
The DNA is not telling us anything we did not already know. How would the DNA turn this country around? That is what I would like to know.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 12 months ago
Why does the Tribune insist on giving this man a podium?
His "party" is him and four followers. He could not even win his own seat.
He has yet to prove he can even put a party together.
Why is he always given front page of this paper?
Tribune has really changed...
Economist 8 years, 12 months ago
I guess for the same reason they give Dr. Minnis the time of day.
TruthHurts 8 years, 12 months ago
LMAO!!
themessenger 8 years, 12 months ago
While we're giving away newspaper space,we have two homegrown political "visionary's" in Bodie and Birdie. Bodie done use up plenty ink in declaring his love for Brave, at least until some more prominent buns present themselves for his anointment. What you say Birdie, extend to us your vision of the Bahamas next political messiah.
duppyVAT 8 years, 12 months ago
Bran for Jesus Christ sake ....................... please start putting forward your Vision for 2017 and beyond................ no need to tell us what Perry is not doing ............... we see, we know
TruthHurts 8 years, 12 months ago
LOL Why yall want to put Bran on the spot like that?! For him to stop stating the obvious means he would have to come up with something of use to the Bahamian people. Then and only will you see the true caliber of a bumbling idiot!
SP 8 years, 12 months ago
........................................ Stop Talking Bull-Shyt And Get Real .........................................
Bran is doing exactly what he should be doing...Letting people know that DNA opposes PLP policies.
If you people would think with your heads instead of your party colors, you would recall during 2012 election campaign, the PLP tried derailing DNA by adopting everything the DNA offered the electorate......None of which they followed through with, but the point is obvious.
DNA cannot "show their hand" this early in the race and anyone with sense would understand why, knowing the underhanded tactics used by PLP as mentioned above.
Bran made an obvious mistake last week when ZNS interviewed him at Carnival asking him if he thought the event could be labeled a success. Which he couldn't deny.
The ZNS reporter skillfully repeated the same question causing Bran to go to great lengths three times congratulating the "committee" but he totally refused congratulating or even mentioning Christie for coming through with the concept.
This sort of juvenile behavior is what hurts Bran and DNA. He has to grow up and show that he is bigger than them....."Not another one of them"
All he had to do was simply tell the truth, and give recognition where recognition was due.
People would have gained much more respect and admiration for him if he had acknowledged "Christie finally did something sensible and got it right" rather try "hiding the facts" which only lowered himself to their level making look like just another crooked politician leading by deceit.
John 8 years, 12 months ago
Can we discuss this at the next DNA convention scheduled for...GUESS WHEN MA BOY!
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