EDITOR, The Tribune.
It seems as if politicians can’t seem to tell the difference between wants and needs when it comes to spending the taxpayer’s money.
I am sure that a lot of people can agree that there are many things that we want, but not because we want something means that we should always get it because not everything that is wanted is always needed, and in these present circumstances needs should take priority over wants!
The new sidewalks across New Providence in my opinion is wasteful spending at this time. An island that has a high unemployment rate, a hospital that is out of whack, and an economy that is declining everyday and sidewalk fixtures are on the rise? That’s ludicrous! Our focus should be on what is more important, and this what is truly in the best interest of the Bahamian people.
I am all for nice things when it comes to enhancing our island, but the question is – at what cost? We have too many Bahamians again that are joining the unemployment line, hotel workers not receiving the severance pay, thousands that are still employed on reduced hours, nursing homes with bare assistance, nurses and doctors going without enough supplies and equipment, social services increase, and hundreds of families homeless, just to name a few.
We have a lot of work to do and so much is not getting done, the government does not have enough money; but yet we are still allocating funding for things that can come later? Sidewalks in a pandemic. For what? We’re always on lockdowns what are we supposed to do? Take pictures? These sidewalks serve no purpose to us, and helps us in no way at this time.
Whether this government tries to mask it, we all know the national debt is exceeding. And with this pandemic, the country’s deficit will increase even more. Wasting the taxpayers’ money on relatively unimportant projects should not be accepted, and it is not a practice at this time any government should put into play.
We need a balanced budget. And in order to have that we must eliminate wasteful spending. It is so important that every dollar be spent wisely.
DR MATHEO SMITH
Nassau,
October 15, 2020.
Comments
Porcupine 4 years, 1 month ago
Dr. Smith,
Your letter makes way too much sense to be understood by our politicians. They care about getting votes, getting kickbacks and getting their pension. We will be spending nearly a million dollars a day on interest alone on these combined loans. A nation of 400,000 people cannot, and will not, be able to get out from under this odious burden. It is a matter of simple math. I do not have hope for The Bahamas. Bahamians will soon be on their own. The sidewalks are important however. This is where many Bahamians will be living in the coming years.
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