The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis told supporters at a party retreat in Grand Bahama over the weekend that they must be united and ready to work if the FNM is to win the next general election.

“This road will not be easy, there are many challenges that lie ahead, and we have only just begun,” he said.

“The PLP will not give you anything. Every day they are fighting us. They will seek to win at all cost, whether by hook or by crook.”

Dr Minnis – who describes Grand Bahama as the bedrock of the FNM – said the retreat, at the Foster B Pestaina Hall, is extremely important.

“You will be given a clear plan of action for the way forward. You will know the important issues and how we plan to address them. Every FNM man, woman, and child must know their assignments, and that begins today,” he said. “Let today be a turning point for you in Grand Bahama. All of you are important; every committee makes a difference. No PLP can stop us when we as FNMs stand altogether,” he said.

Grand Bahama will be a major priority for the FNM party, Dr Minnis said. He said that people in Grand Bahama are hurting, and are disgruntled and dissatisfied with the PLP government, which has failed to live up to the promises it made to Grand Bahamians.

He noted that crime in Nassau is out of control and the government has no answer. Dr Minnis also added that Value Added Tax is squeezing the poor and confusing the businessman, revealing how unprepared the government is. He said Bahamians are spending twice as much in the food store for half of what they need.

“In essence, this means that the Bahamian dollar has been locally devalued,” he said.

Dr Minnis stressed the FNM will continue the preparation, the march and the campaign to take the country back from the grip of the PLP, back to good governance, and back to accountable leadership. He noted they had learned a lot from the 2012 election defeat.

The FNM, he said, will provide a long-term sustainable economic plan for Grand Bahama. “We are beginning to build, develop and reveal our comprehensive platform for Grand Bahama,” Dr Minnis said. “This will involve a more effective Ministry of Grand Bahama, better promotion of businesses and investment opportunities. The International Bazaar and other distressed properties must be redeveloped through public/private partnerships. Grand Bahama leads the country in maritime affairs and local government and, therefore, these Ministries should be located here in Grand Bahama. We must improve the level of technical and vocational training. Local government must be strengthened and better funded. Grand Bahama should have its own Maritime Institute,” he said.

Dr Minnis also believes that the cost of electricity is too high. “Your utilities, including the Grand Bahama Power Company, should be regulated by URCA to ensure that you are protected,” he added.

In an effort to enhance sports development, the FNM leader said the Grand Bahama sports complex must be expanded. He also noted that the FNM is serious about Bahamian empowerment through ownership by way of a more effective process to grant title to generation property and commonage land, especially in Eight Mile Rock and East End.

“These are only a part of what will become our comprehensive plan for Grand Bahama,” he said. “Our focus in Grand Bahama and throughout The Bahamas will be on providing solutions and strategies to fight, and prevent crime,” he said.

He said that women and youth empowerment will continue to be a priority of the FNM. He also noted that they will listen to Haitian Bahamians and treat them with equality and fairness. “They like us, know that our borders must be vigorously protected, and those that are here illegally must be apprehended and repatriated. But those that are here legitimately must be fully embraced and integrated into the fabric of our country,” he explained.

“We have already begun the process of identifying potential candidates who will begin working in their constituencies. They must come from amongst the people, know the people and the people must know and accept them. Candidates must know the FNM message and platform.

“FNMs, before we can win the undecided, the PLP, or DNA voters, we must bring back every single FNM. They must know and feel that they are important, there is a place for them, and this is still home, and we are still family. The past is the past and we need them to make a better future,” he said.

Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said the PLP government has no vision and no plan for the country. In Grand Bahama, he said, the PLP government has not lived up to any of its promises, including restoring the road through the Royal Oasis property, or constructing a bridge at Fishing Hole Road and the seawall at Smith’s Point and a new hospital.

He also noted that the Silver Sands Hotel remains closed. “What about the meaningful jobs in Grand Bahama?” he asked, adding that workers at the Memories Resort are unhappy and most are contract workers earning low wages.

Mr Turnquest criticised the Prime Minister and the PLP government for waiting until the last minute to deal with the expiring tax exemptions in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

Last week the Prime Minister indicated on the death of Sir Jack Hayward that the tax exemptions for the HCA have all of sudden become priority. “One thing with negotiations, you don’t want to negotiate at the end, and this government wants to take it to the final hour before they come up with a position, that is unacceptable,” Mr Turnquest said.

He said the country is in bad shape because of weak leadership. “The PLP must go.”