The Tribune

THE FNM said that despite a week of “demonstrated desperation and a mountain of lies”, the governing PLP is no closer to winning over North Abaco.

Calling the decision to hold a Cabinet meeting on the island ahead of the October 15 by-election one of the most “desperate political acts” in the country’s history, the opposition refuted PLP claims that Abaco has been neglected.

In a statement issued yesterday, the FNM said: “The facts do not support the mountain of lies and half truths being sounded by the PLP. The capital works carried out in Abaco between 2008 and 2011 speak volumes.

“The FNM met the Abaco Central School without an administration building for years. The original was destroyed by fire and it took the FNM’s return as government to rescue a demoralised staff. The cost of that project was $344,000.”

The party listed other projects of note in Abaco, including:

• A technical block, $458,000

• Administration complex, $19.6 million

• Airport bypass road, $965,000

• Construction of sidewalks in Murphy Town, $630,000

• Construction of Marsh Harbour International Airport’s terminal, control tower, and fire crash station, $27.3 million

• Construction of a community hospital

• Work on Bay Front Road, Marsh Harbour, $162,343.38

• Rehabilitation and paving of North Abaco settlement roads and portions of main highway, more than $3 million

• Road work in Marsh Harbour, Dundas Town, Murphy Town evaluated and priced; were to be put to tender in July, 2012

In addition, the FNM said, it cleared grounds for the construction of a multi-purpose gym, and bids were in the advanced stages before the 2012 general elections.

The party said these are just a few of the projects, programmes, and policies captained by the FNM for Abaco.

“The FNM has given the people of Abaco caring and competent representation for decades and no attempt by the PLP during this by-election will persuade the fair minded and well thinking voters of North Abaco,” the statement said.