The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MATHEW TOWN, Inagua - Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told Inaguans that his party has the best record of infrastructure development on the Family Islands as the campaign trail to the next general elections approaches its climax.

Mr Ingraham asked supporters to enable him to complete his vision for the far flung communities by voting for his party and candidate Sidney Collie during a whirlwind tour of the MICAL constituency yesterday.

"What we want to do we want to train people to come back to their community to stay in their community, we want you to have policemen who are bred by you, teachers by you, nurses by you, we want to find the means by which we can induce them, encourage them to come back home, and help to grow your economy, your island," Mr Ingraham said.

With just five days left until voters go to the polls, Mr Ingraham visited with supporters in Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, and Acklins to ask residents directly for their support to return him to office for a final term.

While in Acklins, Mr Ingraham told supporters that former Minister of Public Works and Electricity Loftus Roker was surprised when his government first installed electrical services on the island.

"(Mr Roker) got up in the meeting and said never in all of his life did he ever dream it was possible to electrify Acklins."

Mr Ingraham said: "From the very beginning of time there has never been a government of The Bahamas that has done more for Acklins than my government, notwithstanding when you didn't vote for me, there has never been a government that has looked after you better than I did."

He added: "This is my last time I will be seeking office in The Bahamas, I'd like Acklins to come with me this time, I want you to vote for me this time."

Among the Family Island initiatives outlined in the party's manifesto, Mr Ingraham promised supporters that his government will extend the Family Island Development project, and expand it to also provide concessions for furnishings; repair and complete roads; build clinics; and bring potable water to communities in Mayaguana.

Mr Ingraham blasted the Progressive Liberal Party for neglecting the Family Islands despite their status as PLP strongholds.

"We are the ones that put local government in place, we are the ones that caused you to have your own administrators, we are the ones that caused you to watch television, we are ones that caused you to have good telecommunications, internet like everybody else in the Bahamas we are the ones that put in place the means by which your children can go to high school in Nassau and the government pays. We are the ones that gives you the scholarships to go to COB."

Mr Ingraham said: "We are the best government for you."

The campaign heads to Exuma, Long Island and Moore's Island, Abaco today.