The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney slammed the government for its treatment of Grand Bahama, claiming that the PLP has ignored it campaign promises to transform the island into the “metropolis” it once was.

Mr McCartney said “the magic city is now more of memory” because the government has “stifled” its growth.

He implied that the island of Grand Bahama plays a critical part in the long-term growth of the Bahamas, adding that more has to be done to return the island to prominence.

“Since taking office in 2012, this Christie-led administration has failed to deliver on the countless promises made to residents on Grand Bahama,” he said. “The highly touted Ministry of Grand Bahama – the government’s supposed vehicle for addressing major concerns for that island’s residents – has had no real impact on the quality of life for residents.

“In fact, by many accounts, the ministry has only added to the existing government bureaucracy without restoring the economic vibrancy which the island once experienced. Instead, Grand Bahamians continue to face difficult circumstances. High unemployment, the even higher cost of electricity and a lack of opportunities for qualified Bahamians continue to smother any hope of change.

“The challenges facing Freeport are not unlike those faced by citizens elsewhere across the country. The issues do however exist within a unique set of circumstances which require a focused and sustained effort if those challenges are to be addressed. The failure of this administration to collaborate effectively with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) on the future development of the island remains a hindrance to prosperity. Now, just days away from the expiration of Real Property Tax (RPT) exemptions and major changes to the country’s overall system of taxation, the government has provided only minimal insights into how Bahamians living on that island will be affected.”

A report by Tribune Business in August said the government revealed that it had “forgone” nearly $250m in RPT revenues in Grand Bahama over the past decade in an attempt to bring more businesses to the island.

The report stated that RPT exemptions were failing to offset the potential revenue loss to the government because the exemption wasn’t enough of an incentive to entice business to come to Freeport.

However that article said the RPT exemption is set to expire in August of 2015.

Mr McCartney explained that issues like the RPT exemption are critical to the future of Grand Bahama’s economy. He questioned if RPT exemptions will be upheld and said no definitive announcements on the matter have been made.

“For what seems like the umpteenth time, this government has chosen to keep its citizens in the dark as it presses forward with plans which will have an immediate and long standing effect on their lives,” he said.

“The truth is that after years of broken promises, Grand Bahama and its residents deserve a new start, new leadership and a new government committed to restoring the magic that was once Freeport.”