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FNM pledges to upgrade airport and water supply in Long Island

Long Island candidate Adrian Gibson, right, alongside FNM chairman Sidney Collie Thursday night.
Photo: Yontalay Bowe/FNM

Long Island candidate Adrian Gibson, right, alongside FNM chairman Sidney Collie Thursday night. Photo: Yontalay Bowe/FNM

By Sancheska Dorsett

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Dr Hubert Minnis last night accused the government of victimising Long Islanders because of their faithfulness to the Free National Movement, while promising to upgrade the island’s “run down” airport and to install reliable potable water throughout the settlements when he becomes prime minister.

Speaking to a crowd of FNM supporters in Long Island Thursday night, Dr Minnis repeated claims that the Progressive Liberal Party is the “most corrupt, the most incompetent, the most victimising, the most out of control, and the most malicious government since independence”.

He thanked the crowd for remaining loyal to the FNM and asked them to give the FNM’s current candidate, Adrian Gibson, a chance.

FNM chairman Sidney Collie said it would be “stupid” for Long Islanders to vote for Independent candidate Loretta Butler-Turner, a former member of the FNM and the area’s incumbent, or PLP candidate Glendon Rolle “just as the FNM becomes government”.

“I have come here tonight to thank you for your support over the many years, and to ask you to elect a man who will help us to lift up Long Island to its rightful place in our Bahamas. The FNM’s wave that is sweeping the country started in places like Long Island. With your support, the FNM will be the next government of the Bahamas,” Dr Minnis said.

“As prime minister I will keep the faith with Long Island. It is time for Long Island to have a modern airport that will help in the development of this island. It is time for Long Island to fully enjoy reliable potable water. It is time to upgrade infrastructure throughout Long Island. “It’s The People’s Time on Long Island. Change is coming to the Bahamas and to Long Island.

“Soon and very soon we will be rid of the most corrupt; the most incompetent; the most victimising; the most out of control; and the most malicious government since independence. You know well how the PLP has been victimising here in Long Island.

“The PLP has victimised Long Islanders for a very long time. For too long you have been neglected by this spiteful and greedy PLP government. They turned their backs on you. But God don’t like ugly. Change is coming to Long Island. Even today, only certain people can get contracts or government jobs. The PLP sees no need to tender many of the contracts in the Family Islands.”

Meanwhile, Mr Gibson blasted Mrs Butler-Turner for claiming she is still a member of the FNM despite nominating as an Independent candidate last month. He said a vote for Mrs Butler-Turner is a vote for the PLP as he accused her of using gutter politics against him.

“She is falsely claiming she is an FNM, she says that she is voting for the FNM in Nassau so tell me this, if she is voting FNM why would she want the people of Long Island to vote against the FNM? How can that work? What a hypocrite,” he said.

“You can’t come to Long Island wearing blue and go back to Nassau and pretend to wear red. There is only one FNM candidate in Long Island and that’s me. We have seen that both of the candidates the blue and the yellow are holding hands, a vote for Butler is a vote for the PLP.”

Comments

birdiestrachan 7 years, 7 months ago

They say the treasury is broke, at least that is what their Papa said , No money to pay the Polce. But money to build a Arport in Long Island.?>are they seriious or is it just another day for lies. What does the sheep runner say?

birdiestrachan 7 years, 7 months ago

They did say up grade and portable water. After all these years of voting FNM they still lack these things ..They use the words corrupt loosley. they appear to live the very words they speak rather well.

DDK 7 years, 7 months ago

Actually he said 'potable' water.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

Birdie .......... If we clean up the civil service manpower wastefulness ......... Get rid of the kickbacks culture ......... Stop, review and cancel many PLP foolish projects/contracts .......... Collect the missing 50% of government revenue ......... And stimulate the private sector/Out Islands ...... streamline VAT and other anti-business taxes ......... privatize Regatta, Carnival & Junkanoo .........Then the government will have at least an extra $300 million to use on capital works in our national Budget .....That is the blueprint the FNM needs to follow ..... watsayu???

DDK 7 years, 7 months ago

Why even bother? Falls on deaf ears! Although, maybe someone else who can hear and see will understand.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

BOL .......... everyone can learn (even Birdie), even if it means using a tamarind switch to stimulate the hindparts ........ But we just need to get rid of graft and corruption in government through reform and accountability

TalRussell 7 years, 7 months ago

Comrades! Long Islanders should seek out a "sister island" relationship with Abacoians. While Freeport keeps regressing - Abaco has earned the reputation as the fastest growing economy in all Bahamaland. Unless Nassausuivans can get their act together, I can picture Nassau becoming an lost in time slum city with Marsh Harbour Abaco - surprising Nassau and Freeport within 10-15 years time. or less.
My advice to young entrepreneurs would be to buy up all the Abaco land you afford to buy.
Doesn't Papa Hubert not have a law practice office in Marsh Harbour?

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

We have "growing economies" adjacent to Long Island ....... Exuma & San Salvador ......... But we need our mailboat link with Inagua back ...... That kept Long Island's agricultural industry booming (until Ingraham cut it off)

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

The FNM needs to streamline Family Island development ........ One government high school, one seaport, one airport, one hospital, one government complex, one major sports complex etc on each Family Island ........... That would save at least $300 million every year on extra contracts, rents, gas, utilities, employees etc that can be put to better use to develop the infrastructure, economy and private sector on these islands ....... develop centralized services and privatize other government facilities to be used by the private sector ........ FNM watsayu???

TalRussell 7 years, 7 months ago

Comrades! I am not sure who will win the Long Island House seat - regardless, Adrian Gibson has shortfalls as a candidate. If the polling I've seen coming out Long Island is credible - Adrian should be a lot more in favour with constituents than he is currently polling with only 4 more days before voting day. .

sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago

Well Tal ....... evidence on the ground suggests that the FNM will win by a landslide ...... FNM rally had over 1000 in attendance ........ PLP rally last night had three boatloads from Exuma and two charters from Nassau ..... LBT rally Monday night will seal the deal for her and Nicodemus (she may have 50) The FNM will restore Long Island's economic and social decline ...... Once the right government decisions are made, Long Islanders are self-motivated to improve their island

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