The Tribune

BY RASHAD ROLLE

OPPOSITION leader Dr Hubert Minnis has criticised Prime Minister Perry Christie for not leading his government toward accomplishing goals set during and after the 2012 election campaign.

He said the Prime Minister’s ‘disappointment’ with his government’s failed mortgage relief programme is misplaced, saying: “Stevie Wonder and Blind Blake could have seen that that plan could not work.”

Dr Minnis asked a series of questions about the Prime Minister’s performance since taking office last May.

He said: “Is he also disappointed in their promised solution for crime as this continues to plague our nation?

“Is he also disappointed in not creating the 10,000 jobs immediately promised after election?

“Is he disappointed in not introducing the promised National Health Insurance in year one?

“Is he disappointed in not being able to decrease the cost of electricity to Bahamian consumers while we anxiously await the newly promised 10-35 per cent decrease in the cost of electricity by the member for Tall Pines?

“Is he disappointed in the outcome of the referendum? Is he also disappointed in the failure of not doubling the investment in education that they promised. Instead, they want to cut back the subvention to college students by 10 per cent this year, and a further increase to 25 per cent for 2014. Is this a government investing in our college students? Our future? When, and I quote, “according to the Department of Research and Planning for the college, the single biggest obstacle to economic development in the Bahamas is the lack of an education workforce?”

Dr Minnis said: “This approach to education not only compromises the education system, it also affects the future employability and competitiveness of an entire nation.”