The Tribune

PLP chairman Bradley Roberts praised the 2013/2014 budget, stating that by making tough and sometimes unpopular decisions, the government has been able to improve the country’s finances and pull the nation out of the “onerous debt spiral” it was in.

Mr Roberts said: “Needless to say, the terrible financial and economic state of affairs, much like 2002, is just another mess left behind by the FNM that the PLP will have to clean up and the Christie administration is well on its way.

“The PLP necessarily points out again that contrary to what is being repeated in the public domain, the major challenge facing the government is revenue.

“Having succeeded in beating the projected budgetary deficit in the current fiscal year, the government has moved decisively in identifying more than 40 revenue enhancement measures and a number of operational efficiencies.

“These measures have collectively put a brake on our spiralling out of control debt; will further reduce the budgetary deficit in the upcoming fiscal year and have established the groundwork for our country’s fiscal health and sustained growth and prosperity.

“We note that a significant portion of the funds borrowed in this administration’s first fiscal year were applied to outstanding bills left behind by the outgoing FNM government. The assiduous efforts of the government to implement a pro-growth economic strategy while putting the brakes on out of control spending is bearing tangible fruits and being applauded internationally.”

The PLP’s chairman also echoed the sentiments of internationally respected credit ratings agency Moody’s, which said many of the initiatives in the government’s 2013/2014 budget “hit a lot of the right notes.”

He noted that Moody’s reported that the government’s revenue enhancement package “goes a long way to addressing some of the fears we (Moody’s) had that the debt growth would spiral out of control”.

Mr Roberts said: “Further, the PLP points out to all of the critics, naysayers and preachers of gloom and doom that Moody’s has no political axe to grind or hidden agenda.

“The PLP also shares the abiding optimism of the Prime Minister for the future in the areas of employment and entrepreneurship, with the completion of the tourism plant of Atlantis and Baha Mar in New Providence, as well as developments underway or in the pipeline in Bimini, Grand Bahama, Exuma, San Salvador, Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat Island, among others.

“The government is to be further commended on the following initiatives: Allocated $2 million in this budget for the acquisition of new police vehicles to strengthen its saturation patrol initiative.

“Allocated $8 million to the Police Force to allow it to increase its manpower complement by over 450 officers since coming to office and a tripling of the recruitment class size from 30 to 100. This underscores the urgency of the fight against crime and the fear of crime.

“Allocation of $175 million for the modernisation of the marine fleet and harbour facilities of the Defence Force, in order to better patrol our seas and borders, protect our marine resources, and strengthen our capacity to respond to natural disasters.

“Allocation of $10 million to promote and market the new Baha Mar resort. Allocation of $10 million for Urban renewal/small home repairs.

“Allocation of $30 million for education development, especially for special education and the transition of the College of the Bahamas to University status.

“The lease and renovation of Our Lady’s School to accommodate 100 special needs children is commendable.

“Allocation of $5.5 million for the construction of new primary and secondary schools in Inagua, San Salvador, Gregory Town and Lowe Sound. This triples the sum allocated in the 2011/2012 budget.

“The construction of mini hospitals in South Eleuthera and Cat Island.

“Allocation of $4 million to establish the new School of Agriculture and Marine Sciences in North Andros to address the issue of food security in a determined way.

“Allocation of $10 million for the construction of multipurpose sporting facilities in the Family Islands to assist in youth and cultural development.

“The establishment of the National Training Agency. Its mandate will be to equip Bahamians with the necessary practical competencies and skills to meet the current and future demands of the workplace.”