The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE rise in this year’s murder rate is evidence that the economy has an “indirect correlation” to crime, Free Natiional Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday.

His statements were his latest criticism of Prime Minister Perry Christie who recently said the issue of crime – not the economy – will be what decides the outcome of the next general election.

Reacting to news that the country’s murder rate for 2014 has exceeded last year’s total, Dr Minnis told The Tribune that many Bahamians are struggling to make ends meet and are turning to a life of crime in response.

He added that the FNM is willing to do whatever is necessary to help the government and civil groups curb the country’s murder rate.

“The increase in the murder rate really shows that the government has no solution in spite of what they have been saying over and over again,” he said.

“The basic problem is the economy, in spite of what the Prime Minister has said, the economy is the issue and will continue being the issue. So the government must take its head out of the sand and let us know: what are their plans to decrease poverty? We have Value Added Tax (VAT) coming next year. People with disposable cash will be hit. People will not be able to pay their light bills and to feed their children. The economy is the problem so the Prime Minister must tell us how they plan to grow the economy.”

He continued: “The economy has an impact on the crime rate. There is an indirect correlation between the economy and crime and I think VAT will cause suffering. Furthermore, the government must lead by example.”

He also questioned the government’s management of the Bank of the Bahamas, which had to be bailed out by the government recently, and said many are worried about this administration’s policies and oversight.

Dr Minnis added that he finds it significant that murders have taken place in the constituencies represented by the Prime Minister and National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage.

“What are they going to do to improve the quality of life in their constituencies and the social condition of it?” he asked. “Their constituencies are the problem and there have been minimal changes in the last 40 years. As a descendent of one of those constituencies, I know this.”

Since Christmas Eve, three murders have taken place, raising the country’s total for the year to 121, two more than last year.