The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT - The PLP won three of the five seats in Grand Bahama, taking the two FNM seats in Marco City and Pineridge and recapturing the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat.

Hundreds of PLP supporters celebrated at PLP headquarters on Monday evening. Jubilant supporters took to the streets blowing horns, waving PLP flags and shaking pom-poms.

The celebration went well into the early hours of the morning as supporters awaited the arrival of the three elected PLP candidates - Gregory Moss (Marco City), Dr Michael Darville (Pineridge), and Obie Wilchcombe (WGB and Bimini).

Businessman Hannes Babak was also among the many supporters celebrating the party's win in Grand Bahama.

"I think nothing better could have happened for this country and to Grand Bahama," he told The Tribune at the party headquarters on Beachway Drive and East Sunrise Highway.

He believes the PLP government with Perry Christie as the new Prime Minister will help restore investor trust in Grand Bahama and the Bahamas.

Mr Babak, the former chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority whose work permit was not renewed by the outgoing FNM administration, did not wish to comment on former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's resignation as leader of the FNM and MP for North Abaco. "I think all the people who want to come to the Bahamas to invest will come back and start investing in Bahamas in the future and with a government they can trust now," he said.

The FNM managed to retain the East Grand Bahama seat with businessman Peter Turnquest. Neko Grant was elected in Central Grand Bahama.

Mr Turnquest is looking forward to the challenge of being an MP on the opposition side. "I am excited to go to work for the people of East Grand Bahama. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and ensuring that the government lives up to the promises it made to the people of Grand Bahama."

Asked about Mr Ingraham's resignation as leader of the FNM, he said: "I am disappointed of course, but understand his decision and respect his decision and we have to have decided where we go forward from here."

Pakesia Parker Edgecombe, the FNM candidate for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, said she was very disappointed with the outcome, but pledged to continue to work in her community.

"The Bahamian people have spoken. They made their choice and that is something that we will just have to now work with, but remain committed to building our communities.

Asked whether she will remain in politics, Ms Edgecombe said: "I cannot answer that right now, but no matter what has happened I will go back to the community or any part of this country and let the people know we have pull together as one and build our areas."

She thanked those who have supported her during her campaign.

"I know many are disappointed. For my first time in the political arena, I received overwhelming support and I appreciate everything they would have done to get me in Parliament. As far as they are concerned, I will continue to work on their behalf," she said.

Mr Christie promised to begin immediately creating a new ministry to focus on affairs in Grand Bahama.

"I want to say to Grand Bahama, you have responded wonderfully to the Progressive Liberal Party. You have elected colleagues who will serve in government with me and I will tell you this, we are going to work hard to repay you for the kind consideration you have given us," he said.

During the PLP's campaign, Mr Christie also pledged to seek to address the foreclosure crisis, improve tourism, create jobs, and attract new investment to Grand Bahama.

"The residents of Grand Bahama have sent a clear message that we were tired of the miserable life - we were not safe in our homes and on the streets, and could hardly eat; people sleeping in cars and on beach," said a PLP campaign manager Michelle Reckley.