The Tribune

PLP chairman Bradley Roberts congratulated the government for the “measurable strides” the country has made during the three years of the Christie administration.

“When its predecessors clearly lacked the strength of leadership, courage, confidence and political will to make the difficult, unpopular, but necessary policy decisions to secure the future of our country, the PLP government stared down these national challenges and boldly confronted them,” Mr Roberts said in a statement released on the eve of the PLP’s May 7 anniversary.

“Of note was the need for fiscal reform and let the record show that international organisations of repute have endorsed the government’s fiscal consolidation plan for its balance between spending cuts, revenue generation and economic growth. These organisations include the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s. The latest to do so was the Capital Markets Unit of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). It is difficult to credibly attack a policy that has the brand of international credibility attached to it.”

Mr Roberts noted the government’s steps to tackle illegal immigration, the regulation of the web shop industry and the start of the Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) as areas where the government has succeeded so far.

He also congratulated the government for an announcement made last week that American company PowerSecure had been chosen to take over management and distribution for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC).

“The mandate to reduce the cost of electricity to Bahamians by 30 per cent in 24 months in addition to bolstering the levels of energy reliability and efficiency is crystal clear,” Mr Roberts added.

“The Carbon War Room challenge to provide alternative energy systems in 11 Family Islands, to retrofit street lights with solar power and the amendment to the Electricity Act to provide for privately produced alternative energy and reverse net metering facility together serve to buttress the government’s energy reform initiative.”

Mr Roberts also noted achievements in the tourism sector “fuelled by sports, culture and heritage and romance tourism”.

“I note that the IAAF franchise and brand and Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will immeasurably strengthen the brand of the Bahamas as a tourism destination,” he said. He admitted that the government is faced with problems such as “the high rates of unemployment” and crime.

He added: “The government must continue to work closely with the principals of Baha Mar to secure a finite opening date in addition to announcing other significant tourism related projects currently on the drawing board. I look forward to the new policy on tracking at-risk students in the public school system and I again call on the government to re-establish the National Youth Restorative Programme with YEAST and the Catholic Church for no cost is too great to save our next generation.”

Mr Roberts urged the government not to listen to “naysayers” but continue to work on behalf of the Bahamian people.

He said the PLP would announce, at a later date, a service of thanksgiving to commemorate the anniversary.