The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AN FNM member of Parliament yesterday praised the government for its progress and expressed optimism that the Prime Minister was set to leave behind a legacy with the success of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI).

Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key praised the work of State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis. He said the Golden Isles representative had displayed consistency over the past two years and was a good example of the future leadership of the country.

During a nearly 50-minute contribution to the 2014/2015 budget debate in the House of Assembly, Mr Key thanked the Christie administration for displaying maturity in completing the Leonard M Thompson International Airport and paving roads in his constituency. The airport was initiated by the former FNM government, but faced many set backs that prevented an opening that was expected in October 2012. The airport was officially opened last month.

Mr Key told MPs that he was in full support of the construction of a new Parliament complex. Despite public outcry that the country is not financially capable of such an undertaking, Mr Key said after being bombarded by dozens of termites during Tuesday night’s House session, it was evident a new facility was needed.

“I wish to express,” he said, “heart felt gratitude to the government of the Bahamas for the new terminal in Marsh Harbour. It is a beautiful structure and lives up to the same quality of the Sir Lynden Pindling Airport. (It) is the best facility outside of New Providence.

“The previous administration led by the former prime minister did the lions share of the work, but this present administration led by Prime Minister Perry Christie demonstrated great maturity in not only seeing the project through to completion, but also making adjustments to improve it.

“I wish to thank the Minister of Works Philip ‘Brave’ Davis for continuing the unwavering support on the island of Abaco. We have a very hard working and competent man.

“I would like to commend the government on the new agricultural project in North Andros. I commend the Prime Minister for what he is doing and I think that if it is a success it would be his legacy to the Bahamas.”

Mr Key said that while he was happy for the government’s work on the island, he urged North Abaco MP Renardo Curry to do more in expressing the views of his constituents.

Mr Key first entered politics in 1977 as a PLP senator.

He resigned from his post as a PLP senator in 2005 and then left the party before joining the FNM later that year.