By JADE RUSSELL
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that it is difficult to take the prime minister seriously on inflation warnings when his administration is spending so much money.
Dr Sands’ comments came after Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis recently urged Bahamians to be frugal with their spending habits due to the rising inflation and cost of living in the country.
Earlier this month, John Rolle, the Central Bank’s governor, warned locals to brace for higher inflation rates, saying the cost of living crisis facing many Bahamian families has yet “to peak.”
In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Sands said the Davis administration has not been “frugal” in its spending and has abused the tax dollars of Bahamians.
“The government of The Bahamas has been extracting tax dollars, every dollar they could get out of the pockets of struggling Bahamians. Because they have an insatiable appetite to travel, to live high on the hog, to give consultancies up to $60 million, and to hire in every single government agency and ministry. To give jobs to all of the connected at the same time, they have made a decision that they don’t have the ability to reduce VAT on bread basket items, on medication, on insurance, or on the cost of fuel. Why? because they need that money and they need it bad,” Dr Sands said.
He continued: “So when you now have the prime minister saying, you know, ‘be frugal,’ be frugal with what, you want me to not pay my rent and pay my light bill? You want me to buy gas, but don’t buy food, what you want me to be frugal on? Because you didn’t leave me with nothing.”
The chairman noted that the government has the choice to reprioritise its spending habits to aid in the financial struggles of Bahamians, however, they chose not to.
Dr Sands explained that the Davis administration is setting a different standard when it comes to frugality because the administration is not showing the same discipline in its leadership.
“If the government has no discipline with spending, the government is giving out $2 million dollars and $3 million to their favourite individuals, right? They got to get it from somewhere so they’re going into your pocket to take it. They are hiring who they want to hire, not because of need, but because of patronage. They’ve brought back, I believe, 14 retired senior civil servants or permanent secretaries, retired. And now you can say, you should be frugal. Well, show me the frugality of the government.”
Dr Sands questioned when the government would make the necessary changes to cut down on its own spending.
He said: “When are you going to say that there is a government policy that says for cabinet ministers or senior executives, everybody will travel economy? When are you going to insist that we are going to limit the size of delegations that are travelling? When are you going to say that we are not going to spend all of this money on consultancies? If you looked at the statement by the minister of education, she said on her feet in the House of Assembly, that school repairs would (cost) $15 million. Now the minister of works comes back and said it was $30 million, but it’s not just repairs as capital works. But when you go into the budget, you don’t see it ain’t there.”
Dr Sands also questioned whether Mr Davis was clear on the Central Bank’s comments on inflation.
“I’m not sure the prime minister knows what the central banks of the world are saying because are they thinking that they’re going to increase interest rates or decrease interest rates, because in that statement, he said they were going to do both. So, let’s, let’s make a determination of what exactly Bahamians are being asked to do,” he said.
Dr Sands said if the government wants Bahamians to be frugal, then the administration’s actions should match their words.
He stressed: “It’s very difficult to take the prime minister seriously when his government is spending more money than any other government in the history of The Bahamas.”
Comments
Observer 2 years, 3 months ago
If one were to follow the logic of Mr. Sands, per the article, then part of the solution to the inflation issue is to stop eating and ignore the utilities bills too.
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
Your unhelpful comparison of wastful and unnecessary government spending to the spending members of the public must need do in order to stay alive is not relevant to the discussion here. And even though certain Bahamians may indeed eat more than they should, your comparison still lacks relevancy.
John 2 years, 3 months ago
One mechanism used to curb inflation is to reduce spending, but only to the point of not purchasing essential goods and services and switching to cheaper substitutes. Any reduced spending, will lead to a corresponding decrease in employment and if prices do not come down it can lead to stagflation. That is where the economy becomes stagnant but inflation still abounds. Since most of the factors that are driving inflation are external to tThe Bahamas, the last thing the Davis government needs to do is take drastic measures ad send the economy into recession. The circumstances are unusual because even though consumers in the US are cutting back and postponing the purchase of non essential items, the economy is still bustling. Not only are there still employment opportunities, but workers are now demanding and receiving record wages . Davis was right in advising consumers to prepare for hard times because the economic bubble can burst anytime.
DDK 2 years, 3 months ago
Too bad that the Doc and his party did not practise what he now preaches when they were in power!
TalRussell 2 years, 3 months ago
As to Dr. Duane as chairman, that's best left as an internal matter of the red party's members. But even if only 1% is competent ... Even during times of great inflation ... Duane's rated as a clear 99% improvement compared to the lackin' in every corner competence of former charmer Carl ― Yes?
birdiestrachan 2 years, 3 months ago
Dr sands wants Mr DAVIS JOB IT Seems he
Forbes -Smith contact look it up
rosiepi 2 years, 3 months ago
Really? You inferred this from Dr. Sands’ remarks taking Davis to task for asking Bahamian to do as I say and not as I do? Promise to lower VAT by 2% all the while secretly planning to raise it on much needed commodities despite a crippling pandemic and the worst inflation in decades?
Davis and his crew of miscreants’ tactics are perfectly aligned with Augustus and the other Roman Emperors who placated and distracted the mob with games and cheap food and wine. Which of course came right right out of their mouths/taxes!
hrysippus 2 years, 3 months ago
If people would first; stop funding their various pastors expensive lifestyle they would have 10% more to spend on food. secondly; stop optimistically giving millions of dollars every year to the gambling houses, and lastly avoid processed and takeout restaurant food. Make your own sandwiches for lunch.
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