The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

REGISTERED voters in Exuma were urged by the Free National Movement (FNM) not to be fooled again by the promises made by the current government, which the opposition party said it has failed to deliver.

Speaking at a mass rally in Hoopers Bay on Saturday, the FNM’s candidate for the Exuma and Ragged Island constituency Navarro Bowe asked the crowd of supporters if they were “not tired” of broken promises and neglect.

“Exuma, are you not tired of bad roads, lack of proper healthcare, outrageous VAT taxes and enormous power bills?” the Exuma native asked.

“I know that you are tired of the poor representation for the past 15 years. So bad that they have sent Mr Anthony - don’t talk much - Moss to the bench and substituted in Mr I want-to-be big shot (Chester) Cooper all as a ploy to conceal the failures of Perry Christie and the PLP here in the Exumas and Ragged Island.

“I have news for all them fellows. Y’all ain’t fooling anybody in Exuma no more. You don’t put lipstick on a donkey and expect us to kiss it. What does that make us?”

Mr Moss has been the area’s MP since 2007 and in 2012 defeated FNM candidate Phenton Neymour by 120 votes after securing 1,355 for the PLP. The PLP has replaced him with insurance executive Chester Cooper as the standard-bearer for 2017.

Voters will decide on May 10 who will be the constituency’s newest representative in the House of Assembly.

Mr Bowe, an engineer, expressed confidence of his chances in beating the PLP’s pick and delivering to the island “new and improved governmental infrastructure and bring a permanent resolution to our terrible road conditions”.

“Under my representation, no longer will the cries of those living in the many private subdivisions go unheard. You will get potable water, island wide. You will get properly paved roads and electrical infrastructure. There will be increased funding for youth programmes, better sports and fitness facilities and introduction of alternative energy sources.”

Mr Bowe said the PLP “blatantly” ignored the cries of the island “and defaulted on their promises to you time and time again”.

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis agreed that there is much to be done for the island, saying: “The Exuma International Airport is in great need of a new terminal, expanded areas for customs and immigration, a much (better) baggage claim area, and a proper lot and structure.

“Given the tourism properties here and the potential of Exuma, your airport does not serve your needs. The FNM is going to fix this. You have an excellent candidate in Navarro Bowe. He’s a very capable young Bahamian who will serve you well.

“The PLP made you all kinds of promises they didn’t keep. They did nothing. Now at election time, they are promising you more of the same,” Dr Minnis said.