The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

FISCAL Budgeting - there is always a problem when criticising as the incumbent Government is as guilty as the previous one - we certainly see that in our past 26 years’ experience.

Commentators and politicians suffer from serious amnesia on the truth. The Bahamas has been running Deficit Budgets for 30 plus years what is different in the past five-years and believe me what will be the difference after this term of the FNM?

The second term of the Ingraham FNM Government in early debate the then Leader of the House - Marathon MP Algernon Allen stood up and said the following - thank God for deficit budgeting! He was referring to the run up to the election and the $165m deficit!

Do we conveniently forget the $120m over-run for the New Providence Road programme? This was under the latter part of the Ingraham FNM Government.

Do we forget the Ingraham FNM Government introduction of the free Pharmaceutical Drug programme which as today’s Minister described is running up millions way over estimates.

The PLP under Christie no different - deficits on deficits.

The current Minister of Finance criticised the fiscal-financial management of the PLP in the past five years but then promoted thee persons whose responsibility in the Civil Service in that time was to keep everything inline! No criticism on the individual but that person now is Deputy Financial Secretary.

Ministry of National Security on the condition of police vehicles - yesterday I passed through Crawford Street to the back of the Police Garage - yes I agree there is an inexcusable number of police vehicles damaged, but, Editor, don’t blame the Command of the RBPF they were not driving the patrol vehicles and the majority of the vehicles are as a result of collisions - go see? $5m for a computer programme to manage the servicing of the patrol vehicles? When was that tender published?

Sandy Bottom…the Minister forgets the acquisition of the new patrol craft was a long way along by the time the PLP were in office - discussions with Damen were advanced the link to van Word had been created, but Tommy “T” then Minister had that way in hand. The question arises was what was purchased the best approach bearing in mind what subsequently we have experienced with wind powered sailing sloops being able to out smart the most modern 60 meter patrol craft and sail into Nassau right to the front door of RBDF Coral Harbour and not a soul see the migrant ship or migrants!

Minister a fun police funeral how much does that cost? An official or recognised police funeral how much does that cost?

Government runs on a cash basis - it is scary that the policy of the Minnis Government is to go an accrual format - so if the accrual does not have the funds and a hurricane hits we wait til there are funds available?

Am very interested in this office space that the Minister talks about - we recommitted, no out clause, but no civil servant has crossed the threshold? Can the Minister name these buildings and from whom Government is renting and the rent?

I would be surprised if at the end of this term of the FNM Minnis Government there is anything different from the past three-four Governments - Deficits will still be there government will have to divest 100% all State Corporations to get to a Non-deficit position and that would be starters. They won’t, so live with them!

W THOMPSON

Nassau,

March 9, 2018.