The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST aturnquest@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIANS were urged to exact greater personal responsibility in the leadership of the country as the Democratic National Alliance launched its national slate of candidates last night. The party announced Galleria Cinemas Ltd CEO, and candidate for Nassau Village, Chris Mortimer as the new deputy leader during their "People's Summit" hosted at the Wyndham Nassau Resort ballroom. DNA Leader Branville McCartney reiterated his party's promises and policies on immigration, electoral reform, Family Island development, the regularization of generational land, and finance sector reform. Among the listed initiatives, Mr McCartney said his administration would ensure that the post of Prime Minister is limited to two terms. A DNA government would also seek to establish a Code of Conduct Act for public officials, and make amendments to the Public Disclosure Act to ensure accountability among politicians after they have left service, Mr McCartney said. The DNA leader also outlined plans for the introduction of a value added tax system and the decentralization of the population in New Providence through expanded training opportunities and job creation in Andros. Heralding his party's achievement as the first third party to produce a full slate of candidates, Mr McCartney said the milestone is evident of a sweeping change in the cultural mind set of the nation since the party was formed nine months ago. "We have been divided by mere colours; we've been brainwashed to believe that, because of political ties, we cannot work together to move this nation forward, that somehow one group is smarter than the other, that somehow we cannot co-exist," Mr McCartney said. "Truly, you don't believe that? It's not too late to shake off that force of complacency that has brought us oppression, insensitivity, ignorance, bitterness and false impression that you don't deserve better, and so, you should not receive better." If elected to government, Mr McCartney said his administration would regularize the status of children born abroad to Bahamian married women, and limit the issuance of work permits unless there were "no trained Bahamians available or unwilling" to accept the job. Penalties under the Immigration laws would be increased and the harbouring of illegals would be made an offence, he said. Within the party's first and second term, Mr McCartney said his administration would expand housing and training facilities at both the College of the Bahamas and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute on Andros and Grand Bahama. The upgrades would be exacted through public and private partnerships, Mr McCartney said, with the development of flagship schools for Film and Creative Arts, and Science and Technology in Grand Bahama, and Marine and Agricultural Science in Andros. "This gradual population shift and decentralization of the population from New Providence back to the islands will not only go a long way in family island redevelopment, but it will also play a significant role in alleviating the stresses and social chaos that come along with overpopulation," Mr McCartney said. "Along with job creation, this move will have a drastic impact on incidents of crime in our society." Mr McCartney also pledged to honour the tripartite agreement within the first 60 days of office by establishing union representation in the training and promotions of Public Service employees, heads of Government meetings and other international forums where worker's rights are affected. Mr McCartney underscored his administration's commitment to reducing the cost of living and doing business in the county through adherence to recommendations put forth by the National Energy Policy Committee. "We are one vote away from possessing the Promise Land," he said. "One vote away from Bahamian ownership! One vote away from not being second class citizens in your own country!" "I say ring the bell Ingraham, ring it loudly, bring it on, we are ready. The DNA is ready. The Bahamas is ready."