The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham abruptly suspended the House of Assembly in a move that shocked opposition members yesterday.

Parliament has been suspended until May 22; however, Mr Ingraham said that he plans to dissolve the House on or before May 2.

The updated time frame has further narrowed the scope of when the next general election will be called as Mr Ingraham noted earlier this month that he did not plan to "take advantage" of the 90-day period available to him after the House of Assembly is dissolved.

He added yesterday that parliament would not be dissolved during Holy Week, which ends April 7. Mr Ingraham also maintained that the Free National Movement, will cease all campaign advertisements during the spiritual period.

During the less than two-hour session, parliamentarians passed the Freedom of Information Act and reinstated the Head of Agreement for the Mayaguana agreement with the I-Group.

As he tabled resolutions on land conveyances in South Andros, Mr Ingraham explained that during his government has sought to empower Bahamians through land ownership. While he was satisfied that his government accomplished more than 90 per cent of the objectives set out in its 2007 manifesto, Mr Ingraham said it was regrettable that his administration was unable to implement legislation to regularise generation property and commoner's land.

According to the Constitution, Parliament must be dissolved five years after the first sitting of the House. The first meeting of Parliament after the May 2, 2007, election was on May 23.

Yesterday, Mr Ingraham said: "I don't want any arguing today, I move that the House will now suspend until May 22, 2012."