The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage yesterday fired back at Deputy House Speaker Dion Smith who recently said his constituents in Nassau Village cannot feel the government.

Dr Nottage suggested the feelings of residents in Nassau Village is a reflection on the representation offered by Mr Smith.

“They talk about who feeling their constituents,” Dr Nottage said, “they talk about who is out of touch. Mr Speaker if you are in politics and you are elected by the constituency and you, a representative of the party (get those concerns), if the party has lost touch with the people it could only be because you are out of touch with the people.”

After Dr Nottage made the remarks, several seated members of Parliament shouted: “A new generation leader is getting thrown under the bus, oh come on.”

Last week, Mr Smith who also represents Nassau Village said residents in the area were “frighteningly poor” and complained of feeling a disconnect from the government.

He told MPs during his contribution to the 2014/2015 budget debate that many residents are experiencing the same hardships of Grand Bahamians, but feel overlooked.

There are declining conditions in his constituency, Mr Smith said, because the government does not appreciate the real status of poverty in the area, which he defined as “dense”.

Mr Smith said: “This suffering knows no party lines. It knows no social grouping, it knows no family names, and it has no barriers. You will be surprised to know what is truly happening in many of our homes. I call for us to stop and stop this minute to put our finger on the pulse of the nation. Because somehow and some way we must turn this around.

“The most hurtful part is they go home to a house where children are crying from hunger and they have nothing to eat. This is real talk, this is real life and this is really happening in my constituency.

Mr Smith said Nassau Village residents were demanding their fair share of the 2014/2015 budget allocations and want the government to uphold all of the promises made during the 2012 general election campaign.