The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FREEPORT - FNM MPs Peter Turnquest and Neko Grant are raising concerns over the lack information and notice provided to the public regarding the Summer Job Programme on Grand Bahama. They claim that the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture had not provided adequate notice about the opening and closing of the application process. Mr Turnquest and Mr Grant stressed that many families and young people look forward to the programme every summer. "It is our understanding that the Ministry of Youth is no longer taking applications which I find incredible," Turnquest said. "I also find it rather interesting that the process was closed without any notice to the public." Mr Turnquest further said: "I think it is very troubling and it speaks to a pre-selection of who these summer job slots may have been granted to; it would appear that it was not a very transparent process and so that is obviously concerning to us because we shouldn't label children." "That is very unfortunate if we allow politics to get to the level where it actually affects children and their ability to provide the basics for their educational needs," he said. He noted that many young people depend on the summer job programme as a means to purchase uniforms and supplies for school. Mr Turnquest has called on the Minister Youth, Sports, and Culture, to look into the situation. "There ought to have been some provisions made to make sure that the children in the community would have known that the programme was opened and that there was a deadline to apply. "They shouldn't have to inquire by calling to find out when it starts, only to find out it is closed," he said. Mr Grant said the FNM placed no political labels on children applying to the summer job programme during the past five years. "It's nearing the end of June and we have heard nothing about the summer jobs programme for the hundreds of the children that look forward to it every year," he said. Mr Grant is calling on the private sector to partner with the FNM to ensure that children are able to buy uniforms and books in preparation for the reopening of school.