The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government has been criticised for its inability to create a comprehensive relief plan for Grand Bahama where many Bahamians are struggling.

The Free National Movement’s (FNM) “change team” for Grand Bahama said that unemployment and the cost of living remains too high, and people are losing their homes, struggling to feed their families and pay their bills.

“While things were bad on Grand Bahama long before Hurricane Matthew in October of last year, this government’s inability to arrive at a caring and comprehensive relief plan has worsen the burden,” the party said in a recent press statement.

The FNM has put forth its change team of candidates in Grand Bahama to contest the 2017 general election, including FNM Deputy Leader and East Grand Bahama incumbent Peter Turnquest and fellow candidates Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe (West End and Bimini); Fredrick McAlpine (Pineridge); Michael Pintard (Marco City) and Iram Lewis (Central Grand Bahama).

The FNM’s team said that Grand Bahamians are becoming more vexed and frustrated with Prime Minister Perry Christie and his band of “do nothing” ministers who dance around and suggest things are so great on Grand Bahama.

“The few startup and last-minute capital projects have been designed to get votes and seemingly bump the pockets of known PLP supporters. This lousy PLP government rose to power back in 2012 on pie in the sky promises,” the team said.

They highlighted the dismal unemployment situation on Grand Bahama, and the uncertainties concerning the Grand Lucayan Resort and Memories properties.

The FNM’s team said the PLP government is incompetent and lacks energetic, prudent and creative leadership.

“The PLP is strapped with a worn and tired leader who is asleep at the wheel. Prime Minister Christie is out of touch and far removed from the pain and suffering being experienced by residents here on Grand Bahama,” they said. “People are literally losing their homes daily and for many, keeping the power on or timely grocery, prove challenging.”

The FNM team also noted that are far too many complaints of foreign workers holding jobs where qualified Bahamians are being denied opportunities to provide for their families.

They stressed that the Queen’s Highway, the International Bazaar and other sectors on Grand Bahama still look like war zones, despite the PLP’s 2012 election promise to revitalise those areas.

“The PLP highlighted photos and the state of these places during the 2012 election campaign and promised to revive our island. More than four years later, they have been big on talk and very little has been done.”

The FNM promises to bring about real change to revive Grand Bahama’s economy if elected to office.

The party intends to revisit critical aspects of the Investment Incentives Bill to reignite investor confidence and to ensure more Bahamians become employers.

“The time has come for the so-called small man and woman to get a fair shake to own and run successful businesses on Grand Bahama. It is a crying shame to see the many college and university graduates who have returned home to Grand Bahama and their qualifications are being dismissed by a disconnected government. We will embrace and engage our talented and qualified scholars,” the team said.

“This PLP government is truly not for the needy. A greedy few have flourished over the past four-plus years under this uncaring administration.”