The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie has condemned Prime Minister Perry Christie’s declaration that he is prepared to serve another term, insisting that the country could not withstand five more years with the Progressive Liberal Party leader at the helm.

In a statement, Mr Collie said while the Centreville MP may be eager for another term as prime minister, the Bahamian people “are not” ready to grant him that chance.

Mr Collie asserted that the Christie administration’s record stands for itself, listing several of the government’s shortfalls since being voted to office in 2012.

“(Mr Christie) may think that he has done an excellent job for the Bahamian people, but they know that the PLP government has been more concerned about taking care of their foreign allies and political supporters than the Bahamian people,” Mr Collie said.

“Their record stands for itself – junk bond status, endemic unemployment, and rising crime, which has led other countries to issue travel warnings, scandals, secret deals, and continued mismanagement and failures.

“Their four and a half years have been full of empty rhetoric and broken promises, and the Bahamian people are sick and tired of it,” Mr Collie said.

“The embattled prime minister must have been living in a bubble for these past four and half years, because they have been an unmitigated disaster for the Bahamian people. We continue to encourage them to run on their failed record.

“While the prime minister is trying to explain away the past four and a half years, maybe the Bahamian people will finally get answers to critical questions that the PLP has been ignoring for years.”

Mr Collie said the Christie administration must give an account of all funds collected as a result of the implementation of value added tax.

He also called for clarification on the Baha Mar deal and answers as to why the administration has failed to address crime and the failing education system.

“The Bahamian people deserve answers to these questions and it is our sincere hope that the embattled prime minister will finally deliver answers without any more of their empty rhetoric and broken promises that the Bahamian people have become so used to,” Mr Collie said.

“The FNM will continue to stand with the people and hold the PLP accountable for their failed record of the past four and a half years.

“We will not rest until Bahamians get satisfactory answers to their questions and concerns, not more campaign spin.

“With our change team, the FNM will finally return the government to the people in just a few short months, making it ‘the people’s time.’”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Christie brushed off his critics as he spoke of plans his administration looks to finalise before voters head to the polls this year.

Speaking of his energy and eagerness to serve another term, he urged his supporters not to “squander” the opportunity to win the general election.

Mr Christie contended that the PLP has done and continues to do “everything possible to move the Bahamas forward.”

Mr Christie, who has made it clear that he is in campaign mode, is facing his first leadership challenge since 2009 from Fort Charlotte candidate Alfred Sears.

The party’s national three-day convention is slated for January 24 to 26.