Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaks at the service.
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune News Editor
tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis painted the Progressive Liberal Party as a corrupt group that believes it “owns” this country, as he urged members of the Free National Movement not to take the public’s support for granted.
While outlining his government’s achievements since the May 2017 general election and plans for the country’s further improvement, Dr Minnis sought to draw distinctions between the FNM and the opposition party.
“For a quarter century, the PLP ruled under a cult of personality, a sense of entitlement and mass corruption and widespread victimisation,” Dr Minnis said at a service at Cousin McPhee Church celebrating his administration’s second anniversary in office.
“They kept rigid control of the broadcast media so they could spew their propaganda and limit our freedom of expression. Then, as now, they believe that the rule of law does not apply to them. They believe they can engage in corruption without consequences. They turn a blind eye to reports of the auditor general, they demonise the Royal Bahamas Police Force when it serves their interests.
“The PLP believes it owns this country and they are entitled to steal and plunder with zeal. The FNM, we are different. We cherish the name ‘free’ because we are committed to the cause of expanding and protecting freedom in the nation. We are guided by the values of equality, the rule of law, social justice and opportunity for all,” Dr Minnis said.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Minnis said while the FNM has significant support, its members must continue to work to earn the public’s favour.
“The over 600 FNMs at the town hall meeting this past Wednesday was a demonstration of the enthusiastic support for our mission to turn around our country from what was one of the worst governments in an independent Bahamas,” the nation’s leader said.
“But let us remember that we can never take any support for granted. We must continue to earn the support of the Bahamian people and of our fellow FNMs. We must continue to rekindle the torch in every constituency and among our young people.”
He said the party still has a lot of work to do to fulfill its “overwhelming” mandate for change, but added the country is moving in the right direction.
“The people’s turnaround has begun. We put a stop to rampant corruption, we put a stop to waste and stealing of the people’s money. We put a stop to the descent into economic collapse. We put a stop to the never-ending downgrades; our economy is growing and getting stronger and healthier.
“But we still have work to do, for more Bahamians to feel the recovery in their pockets and in their bank accounts.”
He noted a “phenomenal” growth in tourism numbers and new ports slated for New Providence and Grand Bahama that will bring short-term and long-term jobs. He said for the “first time in decades,” the revitalisation of Grand Bahama is on the way, again defending his administration’s decision to purchase the Grand Lucayan resort last year to save jobs.
The government has since signed a letter of intent to sell the resort to Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group.
“Grand Bahama will not soon forget the utter neglect by the PLP while they were in government and their contempt for Grand Bahama while they are in opposition. From Abaco to Long Island to Eleuthera, to Exuma to Andros to Mayaguana and throughout the Family Islands, we are seeing new investments, new jobs. . .”
Noting plans to reform the New Providence Landfill, he said the “nightmare” at that site is coming to an end.
“We promised to fix it, we are delivering on that promise. Remember, the last big fire at the landfill, with fires threatening homes and dark clouds of black smoke all over New Providence – this was a perfect symbol of what was wrong with the PLP government on many levels,” Dr Minnis said .
The Waste Resources Development Group/Providence Advisors consortium was selected as the preferred bidder to take over the landfill’s operations — and effect a $130m transformation of the site — in late August 2018.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 6 months ago
Well ain't that the pot calling the kettle black?!
And to think Minnis has yet to write that thank you note to President Trump for turning around the U.S. economy. LMAO
Sickened 5 years, 6 months ago
Every single person in The Bahamas knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that the PLP are corrupt to the core. BUT, I don't think Minnis should be saying this publicly and without a prosecution in hand.
Tarzan 5 years, 6 months ago
Say it. Sing it. Broadcast it. The truth shall set you free. PLP is an organized crime syndicate.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 6 months ago
And you my friend are completely ignorant of the inner workings of the Minnis-led FNM government, especially involving the racketeering numbers bosses and their criminal enterprises. But as they say, ignorance is bliss! LMAO
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 6 months ago
IMHO, both the PLP and FNM are corrupt!
Politicians in this country are shameless in their wrong doings these days.
I have no confidence in EITHER party.
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
Ahhhhh........BUT.....dey gets to sit in the FRONT SEATS OF THE CHURCH.....to be forgiven by the PASTORS OF THE CHURCH......THE CHURCH.....having the unique position ..Preamble...Constitution..governed by christian principals.....some 4,000 Churches strong.....
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
I dunno, dunno knows why the comrade Imperial red shirts don't just release for reading comrade populace, all correspondence, communications and questionable 'commutations' over past 13 months between Imperial red shirts governing forces and long doomed "faked signature" impracticable OBAN - including any and all communications to prove they have been urging the Commish Policeman's to keep them so updated on the Commish Police search for the now missing over a whole yea' fake "signature" impracticable OBAN documents - documents that went missing out protective custody Imperial red shirts governing forces, yes, no ..... Would help comrade populace from thinking that the Imperial red shirts too has wicked ways PLP in way they govern over Colony of Out Islands, yes, no?
Gotoutintime 5 years, 6 months ago
Hey Tal---When is the "Lady on the Hill" going to do away with the Red-shirt Government??
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
Ma comrade GetOutRedShirtsInTimeBeforeToo late2022, Her Excellency Marguerite. been so ready answer cries comrade populace to do right thing fire Minnis as prime minister, but out the most incompetent cabinet ever appointed by a prime minister - Her Excellency could not settle on a single one remaining crown Imperial red shirts - who would have slightest clue how to run this Colony of Out Islands, yes, no - makes sense...... but Lady may just make it her last Royal Decree order Queen's soldiers out their barracks atop Mount Fitzwilliam. to march down to encircle the Churchill Building, yes, no?
Gotoutintime 5 years, 6 months ago
Love it Tal!!---Tell the Dame to call out the Man-o-War!!---The "Queen's Soldiers" couldn't give a Flying F--K about this place. C.A. Smith is waiting the wings!!
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 6 months ago
Sorry but the most incompetent/corrupt cabinet in history was without a doubt both of Perry's cabinets.....
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
The FNM has a less brazen form of corruption & nepotism ......... ALL Bahamian politicians have a weakness for corruption & nepotism ....... But Perry's 2012-17 Cabinet took the cake.
joeblow 5 years, 6 months ago
... even worse is that people expect a certain level of corruption from their politicians. They would call you stupid if you don't leave office with more than you came in with, they just don't like the in your face kind of corruption perfected by the last crew of PLP's !
sheeprunner12 5 years, 6 months ago
JoeBlow .......... our systems of fiscal checks and balances are so toothless, that any half-ass accountant can "cook the books" to siphon off public funds or launder the funds or receive kickbacks or get fake accounts or companies to get contracts etc ............ So who do you blame??? ................ Blame the lawyers & accountants who continue to dominate the Bahamian political class pre/post 1967. Status quo rules & the FNM will not radically change the system either.
tetelestai 5 years, 6 months ago
Disagree sheep. I blame YOU(!)...and me, and everyone else that incessantly whine and complain on this comment board every day, for electing the same lawyers and accountants. If we fatuously and imprudently elect the same people cycle after cycle, is it not us, the voter, that should draw the ire that we so self- righteously lob at the politician?
TalRussell 5 years, 6 months ago
I dunno know anymore even though been pulling Imperial red shirts do populace good - but after tuning in to Guardian's talk radio earlier today during Imperial's red shirts finance minister "KP's" fumbling over purchase the improvised tourists overpriced, decaying Grand Lucayan Hotel - after he went on admit that Imperial red shirts cabinet, doesn't knows where it is, yep, KP said exactly that, yes, true..... and the show's recorded episodes there you download to KP's own words, yes, no?
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
Corruption doc. check out OBAN, Frank Smith case. the handling of the senior police Officers. The post office contract and your senator Kay Smith being an advisor to Carnival.
Corruption doc it appears you guys wrote the book you folks can teach Al Capon lots. of stuff. and tricks and lie with no shame
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 6 months ago
Of course the PLP is the party of corruption. History proves that beyond doubt. The FNM does have corrupt members now, one need look no further than Tennyson wells, no doubt one of the most corrupt men ever to serve. But corruption is not the FNMs' main dynamic as it is with the PLP....
birdiestrachan 5 years, 6 months ago
OBAN, Frank Smith case. the handling of senior Police officers. one claiming to be hurt. The post office, The lies about VAT and Bah MAR and Senator Kay Smith Forbes working for Carnival and doc can lies as fast as fish swim is all FNM corruption,
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