The Tribune

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis hit back at the PLP’s critiques of his recent national address, saying the difference between the Free National Movement and the opposition is that his administration will bring about developments and projects without attempts to “shakedown” investors.

“A number of investors since I have come to office have told me they couldn’t get things done under the PLP because they weren’t willing to grease the hands of certain (politicians),” he said at a town meeting at CV Bethel Senior High School on Tuesday night.

Dr Minnis also said the gap between what the former Progressive Liberal Party administration promised and what it delivered was “as deep as the tongue of the ocean”.

On Monday, the prime minister gave his first national address of the year, when he promised an aggressive job growth agenda, plans to revitalise Bay Street, and numerous Family Island tourism projects.

Mr Davis subsequently released a statement dismissing Dr Minnis’ address, describing it as falling flat and avoiding important issues.

“There are some people in this country who don’t like any good or positive news, because it seems like good news for you is bad news for them,” Dr Minnis said on Tuesday. “I felt sorry for the opposition last night. While most people were happy with the many projects and developments I outlined in my national report, the best the PLP could do was to say they would have already done certain things.

“First of all…the gap between what the PLP promised last time and what they delivered was as deep as the tongue of the ocean. They promised plenty but delivered little. They left…downtown Nassau in a bad state, despite plenty promises to revitalise downtown. But, let me say to you tonight: We will fix it.

“I feel sorry for Philip ‘Brave’ Davis,” Dr Minnis said. “He’s the leader of the opposition and the leader of the opposition is the master of excuses. It is now his full-time job, you know, to make excuses for the abysmal failures, the corruption, and the…disorder of the Christie-Davis government.”

Dr Minnis said Mr Davis was responsible for the “BAMSI disaster”, failed to bring sustainable development to the people of Cat Island on many projects, could not relocate the main post office “in a timely and affordable manner”, and was part of a Cabinet that “made a mess of Baha Mar”.

He also announced the government will be recruiting more uniform-branch officers for the police force, Customs Department, and Department of Immigration.

Mr Davis swiftly replied to Dr Minnis’ remarks in a statement.

“When the prime minister addressed the country last (Tuesday) night, we witnessed a one trick pony show. Tonight I heard that he took his show and circus of clowns to CV Bethel,” Mr Davis said.

“There is no point in blaming me for the faults and defaults of your government. You need to get to work and do something for the Bahamian people.

“The deceits and untruths cannot help you anymore. The time is now for deeds not words.

“Unemployment is up in the country because of what you did prime minister, not Brave Davis. There is no investment in Grand Bahama because of what you did, prime minister. Not what Brave Davis did. The taxi drivers and teachers and nurses and doctors were out in the streets because of what you did, prime minister. Not what Brave Davis did.

“It’s your own fault that you find yourself presiding over a hopeless, hapless government. So you must fix it. Stop blame storming and start brain storming with your clowns.”