By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last night took on his critics who say his administration has got off to a slow start, expressing confidence it has accomplished much already and is laying a foundation for future progress.
He said those who say the government has accomplished little are furthering their own "selfish interests" over the Bahamian people.
"I've been asked repeatedly what have we done and that we got off to a slow start," he said, speaking during a rally celebrating the one year anniversary of the Free National Movement's landslide election victory. "I want them all to hear that if you want to construct a building the first thing you do is clear the land. Nothing is seen; in public the building is moving slow. Next thing you do is lay the foundation. Nothing is seen; the building is moving slow. But come next year we will be out of the ground."
Dr Minnis provided a laundry list of what he considers the FNM's successes, from "stabilising public finances" to "addressing official corruption."
"For the first time since the Great Recession of 2008, we are seeing healthy and sustained economic growth," he said.
The International Monetary Fund this year credited recent economic improvements to the improving US economy and the success of Baha Mar; the FNM opposed Baha Mar's new leadership until after last year's election.
Nonetheless, Dr Minnis said: "More Bahamians are getting a job. But we still have a long way to go. We can achieve historic reform and revitalisation of this country together. Those who seek to divide us out of their own selfish and narrow interests, they are more loyal to their cause than they are to the needs of the Bahamian people. Those who say we have accomplished little have purposefully closed their eyes and ears because it is in their interest to sow discord."
During last night's rally, government ministers and parliamentarians promoted their successes as they see them.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest talked about the government's fiscal consolidation efforts. He said the administration "increased revenue collection by $25m", "reduced expenditure by $67m", and "reduced the GFS deficit by 92.3m".
Attorney General Carl Bethel said his office, with the help of the Law Reform Commission, produced new bills at a robust pace, including "more than 30," 18 of which have passed Parliament so far.
Some administration officials spoke of the past year while also pointing to goals for the next one.
"By this time next year, every single school in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is going to be 100 per cent digitised," Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said. "This coming summer we are going to build a brand new school in southwest New Providence, a primary school taking on 650 children; (we will build a) brand new school in Mathew Town, Inagua (and a) brand new school is going to be built in Gregory Town, Eleuthera..."
Comments
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
Good show doc. . . make it only better going forward. . .
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
"By this time next year, every single school in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is going to be 100 per cent digitised," Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said. "This coming summer we are going to build a brand new school in southwest New Providence, a primary school taking on 650 children; (we will build a) brand new school in Mathew Town, Inagua (and a) brand new school is going to be built in Gregory Town, Eleuthera..."
Don't you think these people in these communities are tired of hearing promises????? ....... and what about Georgetown Primary (Exuma) that was promised from when George Smith was MP????? .......... Jeff Lloyd should be fired as a clueless, rambling, fake Minister of Education.
There is a wholesale need to overhaul and centralize ALL Out Island schools, and not waste money building schools for 50 or 100 children anymore. Most of these islands need one or two primary schools and a single central high school ...... That is why we have a teacher shortage.
The_Oracle 5 years, 10 months ago
I think Minnis better check himself given the garbage Customs and the Ministry of finance are implementing.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
The PM needs be repeatedly asked why for his slow start out starters gate for past 365 + 1 day - has he left the 91,409 comrades voting red shirts with high blood pressure... being a doctor has know that can be stroke dangerous.
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
Just say how good a job he did Tal. . .he is PM for the next term if he wants to be. . .and he is likely to be the way the PLP is going. . . same old nanny as usual. . .nobody wants that group of pirates back in government!! Never. . . never. . . .never I saaaaaaayyyyyyy. . .cos the PLP has gone away to stay!!! That's the new song of the people. . .
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 10 months ago
You're a well known troll paid by the "Support Minnis No Matter How Bad He May Be Foundation".
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
Or I am right in my assessments and you are a DNA politician who "CANNOT" think objectively no matter what evidence is presented!! So if you wish to make such a statement to me. . .PLEASE CHECK YOUR TRACK RECORD BEFORE YOU DO. . .I SUPPORTS EVERYTHING HE DOES AND YOU OPPOSE EVERYTHING HE DOES. . .BUT I AM THE TROLL!!!
You make no sense Mr. DNA.
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 10 months ago
If the PLP had won Freeporr's hotels would be opened by now. No doubt. I even said it election night. "I hope they don't kill this Wynn deal." They did. And Freeport is much worse off today. I pray the FNM finds a real leader soon. Minnis is uselss.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
What is the FNM Plan for Out Island Development????? ......... Why does the Cabinet not have a Minister of Out Island Affairs/Family Island Development ......... SLOP had one for a term and quickly got rid of it ............ But that post should be a must in an archipelagic nation.
Every First World country has a Cabinet Minister devoted to Interior Affairs of some kind.
That tells you how unimportant the Out Islands are to these Nassaucentric governments.
birdiestrachan 5 years, 10 months ago
Roc wit doc was told before to stop bragging about murders are down. Their close associate hears them and send out his worker,
Was any one really there or just doc and his wife "The spouse" who will soon have her own office. Now that is progress for the FNM and the peoples time Voters.
SHEEPRUNNER answer this question please. Are the green and black beads a fashion statement, Voodoo or just plain foolishness??
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
BOL ....... Birdie, are you cockeyed like your god - SLOP????? ...... The beads are the colours of the flag!!!!!! ..... aquamarine, gold and black.
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Honestly speaking I don't think the Comrade PM has the slightest clue what it takes for “quantifying” how the performance measurement of 'verifiable" crime statistics data must be collected and counted - before the public is prepared accept as gospel so-called policeman's/ government released crime statistics.. Sometimes I does wonder if even the policeman's knows much about right way goes about gathering and dissecting crime numbers... foolish suggest there are no self-serving policeman's/government biases hidden away in released crime stats. I'd compare to an government worker being placed in charge preparing for da bossman's, or bosslady's, his/her own job review report.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
Tal ........ you are cockeyed as well ......... Imagine if the lil pudgy fella was in the OPM............ SMT
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrade Sheepruner12, the gathering, compiling and releasing of crime stats has nothing do with which the two man's sits in PMO but how the stats are edited before releasing. Why is it we keep electing copycat members political parties to do same old colonial skewing stuff again and again. Personally, I believe Minnis be an honourble and decent man's who loves his Bahamaland but I just can't get over his proven to be an incompetent leader. For Jesus's sake, the first budget present to he House by KP and speech read by the GG from the throne forand on behalf new Minnis government were actually compiled and written by the former PLP government. KP himself admitted that he had not read the budget until he stood on floor House read it. Ma Comrade Sheeprunner12, I don't just make this up to cause harm the governing red shirts }.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
Yes Tal ......... Its been that way from 1964 ......... DUHHHHHHHHHH
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 10 months ago
Minnis is now much too detached from reality to even begin to appreciate the horrendous hardships most Bahamians face on a daily basis. This is what too much stew fish can do to you! And he's still trying to figure out whether he's headed east or west!!
licks2 5 years, 10 months ago
You are now attacking what food the PM eats! As for his detachment. . .why do you talk like doc is running this government by himself?? This line of reasoning in reversal shows that you are out of credible criticisms. . .talking possibly out of lone jealously. I am afraid to say. . .IF THIS CRAP IS THE BEST THAT THE PLP OR DNA CAN PUT FORTH FOR NATIONAL DIALOGUE.. .YINNA BETTER GET A NEW CREW STARTING NOW!! Because yall can only shoot this nonsense while yinna hide on this site. . .bring ya game outside this "cover". . .the group that drives politics in this nation at this time will laugh yall right out of yall minds!!
TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago
Run Ma Comrade MP Fredrick run away from red party's chairman Carl...... back into arms Pineridge's constituents.
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