The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK 

Tribune Freeport Reporter 

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

EAST Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson said the Davis administration is underspending on national priorities and overspending on less critical items.

He said the budget for food security was reduced by $300,000, yet of the $1.2m allocated, only $200,000 was spent.

He said nothing was spent on the touted Agri- culture Administrative Cadet Programme or developing a national sport.

“It doesn’t matter what this government says watch where the money goes and how the money is spent. This is why the public does not and cannot believe you. Long on talk but woefully short on action,” he said.

Referring to the National Organ Transplant Programme, Mr Thompson noted it was highly promoted in the last budget cycle but although $1.5m was approved for it nothing was spent.
He added that $1.5m was allocated for a Health and Wellness Programme, but only $200,000 was spent.

Regarding the catastrophic healthcare programme, he said: “$10m you said was going to help Bahamians with illness. I want to be very serious this one. How can you explain to Bahamians and my constituents why you only spent $2m out of a $10m fund, given the very acute and urgent needs of Bahamians everywhere?”

He said the opposition has repeatedly asked for clarity on that programme, for documents on how the programme runs, and for information on the application process.

“But again, we find a government that has made a big promise but has followed through with little action,” he said.

Mr Thompson said the Grand Bahama Promotion Board was allocated a budget of $226,000, but only $56,000 was spent.

He also criticised the government for not living up to a $50m pledge to help small businesses.

According to Mr Thompson’s research, the Davis administration allocated just under $2m and spent $475,000 for the Small Business Development Centre.

He said: “Is this the $50m a year the prime minister claimed he was committing to small businesses? After three quarters of the fiscal year, the expenditure in that line item is less than one per cent of that $50m pledge. It’s a joke when Bahamian entrepreneurs continue to be starved of the capital they need.”

In terms of helping to fight inflation, he noted that the budget for consumer credit counseling was cut in half, and nothing was spent.

He also asked why the government did not increase the budget for social assistance.

Additionally, he noted that zero dollars was spent on the Ranfurly Home, although it was allocated $300000.