The Commonwealth of The Bahamas 2022/2023 Budget Debate Contribution By The Honourable Iram D. Lewis, MP & Shadow Minister of Youth, Sports & ...

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
     2022/2023 Budget Debate

          Contribution
                By
The Honourable Iram D. Lewis, MP &
 Shadow Minister of Youth, Sports &
             Culture

 Presented to the House of Assembly
                 On

       Tuesday June 7, 2022

INTRODUCTION

MADAM SPEAKER, PARLIAMENTARY
COLLEAGUES, THOSE WATCHING FROM ACROSS
THE BAHAMAS, GOOD DAY.

AS I RISE TO MAKE MY CONTRIBUTION TO THIS
2022-2023 BUDGET, I WANT TO START OUT BY
THANKING THE GREAT RESIDENTS OF CENTRAL
GRAND BAHAMA, WHO’S VOICES I SO PROUDLY
REPRESENT.
IT REMAINS AN HONOR TO CONTINUALLY SERVE
YOU AS YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.

MADAM SPEAKER:

CENTRAL GRAND BAHAMA HIGHLIGHTS AND
SHOUTOUTS.
LEARN FROM SOUTHERN SHORES…WIFE AND
DAUGHTER…

CONDOLENCES

1). STEPHANIE ELLIS...PASSING OF CHRISTOPHER

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2). FAMILY OF BEVERLY SHERMAN ONE OF MY
MOTHERS DAY HONOREES
3). EARL GODET AND FAMILY… SISTER VIVIAN

4). FAMILY OF STEPPIE LEWIS

I ALSO WANT TO SEND A SPECIAL GET WELL TO
BRAD MCPHEE AND THE SURVIVORS OF THE
PLANE CRASH IN LONG ISLAND.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO PRAY FOR THOSE

VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING THE
MEMBER OF FORT CHARLOTTE AND HIS WIFE. WE
HOPE FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY AND ANSWERS ON
HOW OR WHY THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED.

THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND WAS A VERY EVENTFUL
ONE AS WE GOT A TASTE OF THE REAL START OF
THIS HURRICANE SEASON.

GRAND BAHAMA WAS ONE OF THOSE ISLANDS TO
EXPERIENCE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS,

                      3

INCLUDING        DOWNPOUR         RAIN,    CYCLONE
ACTIVITY AND FLOODING.
THIS WEATHER RESULTED IN VARYING EXTENTS
OF DAMAGES TO THE HOMES AND PROPERTIES OF
GRAND BAHAMIANS.

WE   UNDERSTAND         THAT      THIS    NEW    DAY
GOVERNMENT         HELD       A    MEETING       AND
WALKABOUT        WITH   STAKEHOLDERS        IN   THE
COMMUNITY YESTERDAY, BUT THERE WERE NO
MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION PRESENT OR
INVITED.

I RAISE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE AS IT STANDS GRAND
BAHAMA      IS    REPRESENTED        LARGELY      BY
OPPOSITION MEMBERS.

I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THESE MEMBERS AND
THESE       CONSTITUENCIES           WERE        NOT
REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING, EVEN THOUGH
THEY ALSO RESIDE ON THE SAME ISLAND.
I THOUGHT THIS NEW DAY GOVERNMENT WAS
ABOUT ALL BAHAMIANS AND NOT JUST SOME.

                          4

I   GUESS   ONLY   BAHAMIANS   IN    TWO   GB
CONSTITUENCIES DESERVE TO BE HEARD.
BUT MADAM SPEAKER:

ALL THE PEOPLE OF GRAND BAHAMA AND ABACO
ARE STILL REELING FROM THE RAVAGES OF
HURRICANE DORIAN.

THERE ARE STILL HOMES TO BE REPAIRED AND
THE MENTAL/EMOTIONAL IMPACT AND PAIN
FROM ALL THE LOSS IS STILL STRONG.

IN THAT REGARD, I WAS PLEASED TO HEAR THE
PRIME MINISTER SAY THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY
MADE PROGRESS WITH NEW BUILDING CODE
STANDARDS DESIGNED FOR AN ERA OF CLIMATE
CHANGE AND ADVERSE WEATHER EVENTS.

WHILE SERVING IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, I
OVERSAW A VERY IMPORTANT REVIEW OF THE
COUNTRY’S BUILDING CODE IN THE AFTERMATH
OF HURRICANE DORIAN AND A DETAILED

REPORT OF CHANGES, UPDATES AND

RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION

                      5

UTILIZED THE RESEARCH AND HARD WORK OF
OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS TO ADVANCE THIS ISSUE
FORWARD.

MADAM SPEAKER:

WHILE WE ARE ON GRAND BAHAMA AND THE
IMMEDIATE        NEEDS   OF   ITS    PEOPLE,   I
UNDERSTAND THE GRAND LUCAYAN SALE IS NOT

FINALIZED BUT A LETTER OF INTENT OR
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED.

I POSE THESE QUESTIONS TO THE NEW DAY

GOVERNMENT…

1. WILL    THE    GOVERNMENT        TABLE   THIS
  DOCUMENT AND WHEN?
2. DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE ANY CONCERN
  THAT THE INDICATED SALES PRICE WILL BE
  MODIFIED AS A RESULT OF NEGOTIATIONS AND
  DEMANDS FOLLOWING DUE DILIGENCE?

3. HAS    THE    GOVERNMENT   BUDGETED      ANY
  AMOUNTS FOR ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE

                         6

PROPERTY UNTIL IT IS SOLD, AND IF SO, HOW
 MUCH? AND HOW MUCH FOR CONTINUED
 MARKETING         AND       AIRLIFT      SUPPORT
 THEREAFTER?

4. FURTHER WILL THE AUDITOR GENERAL HAVE
 ACCESS TO AUDIT THESE FUNDS?
5. ADDITIONALLY,    HAS      THE    GOVERNMENT
 BUDGETED SUPPORT FOR THE GRAND BAHAMA
 AIRPORT PENDING FINDING A PARTNER? IF SO,
 HOW     MUCH,     AND       WHEN      DOES      THE
 GOVERNMENT        ANTICIPATE          FINDING    A
 PARTNER?

6. HAS ANY AMOUNT BEEN BUDGETED FOR
 CONCESSIONS AND SUPPORT THAT MAY BE
 NEGOTIATED AS A PART OF ANY DEAL THIS
 FISCAL YEAR? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

MADAM SPEAKER:

IT’S NO SECRET THAT GRAND BAHAMA IS IN DIRE
NEED OF LOVE AND ATTENTION.

I THINK BOTH SIDES EAGERLY WANT TO SEE A

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REINVIGORATION OF THE ISLAND.

THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND ECONOMY ON
GRAND BAHAMA MUST BE ONE OF THE

GOVERNMENTS BIGGEST PRIORITIES.

MADAM SPEAKER:

WE MUST ALSO CONTINUE TO SOUND THE ALARM
ON ONE OF THE MOST BURGEONING

ISSUES ACROSS THE GLOBE — FOOD SECURITY.
WE’VE SEEN THE EFFECT THAT NATURAL

DISASTERS, HEALTH CRISIS, AND THE HOSTILE
EASTERN EUROPEAN CONFLICT HAS HAD ON
HOW PEOPLE NAVIGATE LIFE TODAY.

THINGS ARE HARDER NOW. GAS HAS GONE UP
AND CONTINUES TO MOVE UP — BUT I’LL GET
BACK TO THAT LATER — AND IT HAS BECOME
MORE EXPENSIVE TO FEED A FAMILY.
NOW MORE THAN EVER WE MUST SHIFT THE

FOCUS ON ENSURING THAT BAHAMIAN FAMILIES
HAVE THE CAPACITY TO FEED THEMSELVES.

                    8

A PLACE WHERE WE DON’T HAVE TO PAY THE
OVERPICED COST FOR IMPORTATION AND
INFLATION.

MADAM SPEAKER:

SINCE COMING INTO OFFICE IN MAY 2017 AND
GRACIOUSLY BEING REELECTED LAST
SEPTEMBER, THE RESILIENT RESIDENTS OF
CENTRAL GRAND BAHAMA HAVE PARTNERED
WITH ME AND MY TEAM TO FORGE AHEAD WITH
A FOCUSED INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE BACKYARD
FARMING      WITHIN   AND   THROUGHOUT   OUR
COMMUNITIES.
WE STARTED OFF WITH JUST A SMALL

DEVELOPMENT OF THREE ACRES OF LAND ON
THE MALL DRIVE WHERE AN ASSORTMENT OF
VEGETABLES WAS GROWN.

COUNTLESS HOURS OF TIME AND EFFORT BY A
TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING RESIDENTS,
CHURCHES AND STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN TO
CULTIVATE THIS PROPERTY.

                       9

WE ARE GROWING DELICIOUS PRODUCE THAT IS
CONSUMED EVERYDAY AT LITTLE TO NO COST.
WE HAVE BREADFRUIT PLANTS, BELL PEPPERS,
DILL, SWEET POTATOES, CASSAVA, ONIONS AND
SCALLIONS, BANANAS AND I CAN’T FORGET OUR
FAMOUS EGGPLANT.
AS A RESULT OF THIS INITIATIVE, WE HAVE
DISTRIBUTED    HUNDREDS     OF    BACKYARD
FARMING KITS TO RESIDENTS WHO THEMSELVES
HAVE DEVELOPED GREEN THUMBS.

WE’VE HAD MULTIPLE EDITIONS OF OUR

POPULAR FARMERS MARKET FEST, GIVING
RESIDENTS A CHANCE TO SELL THEIR FARM
PRODUCE AND HANDMADE CRAFTS FOR SOME
ADDITIONAL INCOME AND EXPOSURE.
MADAM SPEAKER, AS I’VE SAID BEFORE IN THIS
HOUSE, I VOW TO ENSURE THIS PROGRAM IS NOT
JUST SUSTAINED BUT ALSO EXPANDED TO ITS
FULLEST EXTENT.

DISCUSSIONS ARE STILL ONGOING WITH
HARCOURT DEVELOPMENT TO CREATE A

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MUCH-NEEDED PARK IN SOUTH BAHAMIA.

WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS
INIATITIVE, NOT JUST FOR CENTRAL GRAND

BAHAMA, BUT FOR THE WHOLE BAHAMAS.
THE FORMER GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY

BEGAN MAKING MOVES TO COMBAT THIS

IMPORTANT ISSUE.

UNDER THE VISION OF OUR NOW LEADER THE
HON. MICHAEL PINTARD, THERE WAS THE
FORESIGHT TO CREATE AN AGROVILLAGE TO
ACT AS AN INCUBATION HUB FOR AGRICULTURAL

ENTHUSIASTS.

GOVERNMENTS ARE CONTINUOUS. I SUGGEST
THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE THIS PROJECT AND
GO FURTHER.

THERE WERE MULTIPLE CROWN LAND GRANTS
MADE AVAILABLE WITH EVEN MORE TO BE

GIVEN AND HUNDREDS OF ACRES IN THE

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POSSESSION OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
THAT COULD BE MAXAMIZED FOR FARMING
PURPOSES

I REITERATE THAT WE MUST TAKE A SERIOUS
POSITION. THAT MEANS MAKING BOLD MOVES
AND INTENTIONAL DECISIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE ENERGY
CONCESSIONS TO ALLOW LOCAL FARMERS TO
COMPETE WITH U.S. BASED FARMERS BECAUSE
THEY ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE AT A LOWER COST
THAN LOCAL FARMERS.

IT   CONFUSES    ME   THAT   THIS   NEW   DAY
ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT CARES ABOUT LOCAL
FARMERS    BUT    MADE       INTERNATIONALLY
IMPORTED
PRODUCE DUTY FREE. WHY ARE YOU MAKING IT
MORE DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL FARMERS TO

COMPETE?

EGGS, CHICKENS, BROCCOLI, CARROTS, SPINACH,
CUCUMBER, BEANS AND CABBAGE CAN ALL BE

                      12

FOUND HERE IN THIS BAHAMAS. GIVE OUR
BAHAMIANS A FIGHTING CHANCE.
YOU SAY THAT NEW PRODUCTION IS NOT GOING
TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT AS IF WE DON’T

ALREADY HAVE GREAT BAHAMIANS WHO HAVE
BEEN PUTTING IN THE WORK ALREADY AND
SIMPLY NEED A BOOST.
MADAM SPEAKER,

WHILE IN OFFICE, THE FREE NATIONAL

MOVEMENT     STARTED        AN   INNOVATIVE
INITIATIVE TO MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR
HOTELS AND CRUISE SHIPS TO PURCHASE 40
PERCENT OF THEIR PRODUCE FROM LOCAL
FARMERS.

ADDITIONALLY, THE INITIATIVE WOULD HAVE
ENSURED THAT 75 PERCENT OF WHAT THE
GOVERNMENT PURCHASES IS SOURCED

LOCALLY.

WHY HASN’T THIS INITIATIVE BECOME

LEGISLATION YET?

                       13

IT’S CURRENTLY A CABINET POLICY PAPER, BUT
NOT AN ENFORCED POLICY.
WHEN WILL THIS GOVERNMENT MOVE ON IT?

THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE JUST SITTING WAITING
BE SHARED WITH THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE.

HOW LONG WILL THIS CUSTOMS REDUCTION
LAST? HOW LONG MUST BAHAMIAN FARMERS
CONTINUE TO COMPETE AT AN UNREALISTIC
LEVEL WITH GLOBAL IMPORTS.

WE MUST EMPOWER OUR BAHAMIANS IN EVERY
WAY POSSIBLE.

MADAM SPEAKER:
THERE ARE AMAZING BAHAMIANS ACROSS THE
ARCHIPELAGO WHO HAVE DECIDED TO GO BACK
TO FARMING BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH.
THERE ALSO NEEDS TO MULTIPLE BAHAMIANS
EMPOWERED IN POULTRY PRODUCTION,

FISHING, BUSH MEDICINE AND MORE. THERE’S SO
MUCH WE CAN DO.

I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD

                    14

RE-ALLOCATE A PORTION OF THE 50M IN SMALL
BUSINESSES DEVELOPMENT SPECIFICALLY FOR
FARMING OPERATIONS, THEREFORE PROVIDING
FUNDING FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO START A
SMALL OR MEDIUM SIZE FARM.

THE MORE FARMERS WE HAVE, THE MORE WE
CAN GROW AND THE LESS WE WILL HAVE TO

EXPORT

MADAM SPEAKER,

I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION
HAS THE WILL TO INVEST IN THIS AGENDA. BUT
WE MUST SEE ACTION.

WE HAVE A VERY LONG WAY TO GO AS A

COUNTRY AND MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE
OVERALL INDUSTRY TO REALLY BE SERIOUS
ABOUT FOOD PRODUCTION.
ULTIMATELY — IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE TRUE
FOOD SECURITY, WE HAVE TO HEAVILY ARM OUR
PEOPLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, LAND AND
FUNDING TO BEGIN MULTIPLE TYPES OF

                      15

AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE — THAT IS
TRUE INDEPENDENCE.
BAHAMIANS MUST BE EMPOWERED. WE MUST
ARM THEM WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO

REALLY MAKE THIS INDUSTRY VIABLE.

THEN WE CAN START TO HAVE REAL
CONVERSATIONS     ABOUT    SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
OUTSIDE OF THAT, IT’S ALL LIP SERVICE.

BUDGET RESPONSE

MADAM SPEAKER:

WHEN THIS NEW DAY ADMINISTRATION CAME
INTO OFFICE, THEY PROMISED INNOVATION AND
REVOLUTION FOR BAHAMIANS. THEY PAINTED
THEMSELVES AS THE SAVIOURS OF THE
COUNTRY, BUT ALL WE HAVE HEARD SO FAR IS A
CUT-AND-PASTE LACKLUSTRE PRESENTATION
OF SIDE ORDERS….BUT WHERE’S THE MEAT?

THIS WAY FORWARD BUDGET DOESN’T DO
ENOUGH AND DOES NOT COME CLOSE TO

                      16

SERIOUSLY ADDRESSING THE MANY
CHALLENGES BAHAMIANS ARE FACING TODAY.

I WONDER, MADAM SPEAKER, DOES THIS
BUDGET REPRESENT THE ENTIRE EFFORT? OR IS
THERE MORE. BECAUSE THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE
WANT TO KNOW.

WE NEED REAL INNOVATION, REAL CHANGE,
REAL REFORM, AND REAL RELIEF.

EVEN MOODY’S QUESTIONS THIS
ADMINISTRATIONS BUDGET, CALLING THE
GOVERNMENTS REVENUE PROJECTIONS
“OVERLY-OPTIMISTIC”.

THE CREDIT RATINGS AGENCY EVEN WARNED
THAT THIS COULD BE A REAL THREAT TO
BRINGING THE US$10.5 BILLION NATIONAL DEBT
UNDER CONTROL.

                    17

“KEY RISKS TO THE BUDGET ARE OVERLY
OPTIMISTIC REVENUE COLLECTION

PROJECTIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF

CONCRETE MEASURES TO BROADEN THE
TAX BASE, AND THE INABILITY TO MANAGE
SPENDING IN LINE WITH TARGETS,” THE
CREDIT RATING HAS BEEN QUOTED SAYING
IN A CREDIT NOTE TO INVESTORS.

“SPECIFICALLY, THE GOVERNMENT
EXPECTS TO KEEP PRIMARY RECURRENT
SPENDING UNCHANGED OVER THE NEXT
TWO FISCAL YEARS, WHICH WOULD REDUCE
REAL

SPENDING GIVEN 15 PERCENT NOMINAL
GROWTH OVER THE SAME PERIOD. ALSO,
THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSUMPTIONS FOR

INTEREST EXPENDITURE IMPLY A DECLINE
IN THE AVERAGE COST OF DEBT DESPITE A

RISING GLOBAL INTEREST RATE

                 18

ENVIRONMENT.”

MADAM SPEAKER:

WE NEED THIS NEW DAY GOVERNMENT TO BE
REALISTIC WITH THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE.

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE HAS REPORTED IN
HIS BUDGET COMMUNICATION THAT REVENUE
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR HAS BEEN
OUTPERFORMING BUDGETED NUMBERS AND
THAT DEBT TO GDP HAS DROPPED BY 20 POINTS,
YET YOU HAVE BROUGHT A RESOLUTION TO
BORROW ANOTHER $700 MILLION FOR THE
2022/2023 FISCAL YEAR.

DOES THIS INDICATE THAT THE GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURE HAS OUTSTRIPPED THAT
INCREASE IN REVENUE AND NOW EXCEEDS THE
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET PASSED JUST A FEW
WEEKS AGO?

HOW AGGRESSIVE ARE THESE OVERALL

                         19

REVENUE PROJECTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR,
GIVEN THE NUMBER OF CONCESSIONS PROPOSED
AND THE FACT THAT THE U.S. ECONOMY SEEMS
TO BE TEETERING ON RECESSION?

JUST TWO WEEKS AGO THE BAHA MAR

PRESIDENT SAID THEY WERE “CAUTIOUSLY

OPTIMISTIC” ABOUT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
AHEAD BECAUSE OF CONCERNS IN FALL OFF OF
BOOKING PACE.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUMMER
BOOKINGS TO THE BAHAMAS AND HAS THIS BEEN
FACTORED INTO YOUR PROJECTIONS?

THE PRIME MINISTER NOTED THAT HIS
ADMINISTRATION STILL HAS A NUMBER OF
INHERITED ARREARS THAT IT BELIEVES MUST
BE LIQUIDATED.

THIS NEW DAY GOVERNMENT CAME TO THE
BOTH LOWER AND UPPER CHAMBERS AND
TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF LEGAL MATTERS
WITH SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL LIABILITY TO
THE BAHAMIAN TAXPAYER.

                    20

WILL THE GOVERNMENT DISCLOSE THE

RATIONALE BEHIND THOSE SETTLEMENTS, THE
AMOUNTS PAID OUT AND TO WHO, OR THE

NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST BEING

PROTECTED BY NON-DISCLOSURE OF SUCH

PAYMENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE PUBLIC

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ACT AND FISCAL

RESPONSIBILITY ACT?

MADAM SPEAKER:
WITH SUCH URGENCY TO PAY OFF THESE

ARREARS, WHY WAS THERE LITTLE TO NO

MENTION IN THE COMMUNICATION REGARDING
THE   GOVERNMENT'S         DEBT   MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE DEBT
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND WHEN CAN THE
PUBLIC EXPECT DETAILS OF THIS STRATEGY AND
THE BENEFITS TO THE FISCAL STRATEGY?

                      21

GIVEN THE DEPARTURE FROM THE FISCAL
STRATEGY AND LACK OF A COMPREHENSIVE
DEBT PAYMENT PLAN ANNOUNCED, DO YOU

ANTICIPATE ANY FURTHER SOVEREIGN CREDIT
RATING DOWNGRADE OVER THE SUMMER?

ONCE AGAIN, I NOTE THAT THE PRIME MINISTER
MADE NO MENTION OF MAJOR TAX REFORM.
GIVEN THAT THE COUNTRY HAS EXPRESSED

SUPPORT FOR THE GLOBAL MINIMUM

CORPORATE TAX, DOES THIS SIGNAL THE

CURRENT   ADMINISTRATION    INTENTION   TO
WITHDRAW ITS SUPPORT FOR THE INITIATIVE OR
TO STALL PROGRESS ON IT UNTIL FORCED TO DO
SO AS IT DOES WITH ALL INTERNATIONAL

FINANCIAL SERVICES INITIATIVES?
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROJECTING A $500

MILLION INCREASE IN VAT COLLECTIONS I
BELIEVE, EQUAL TO 25%. ON WHAT BASIS?

THE DEFICIT TARGET EXCEEDS THE FISCAL
STRATEGY TARGETS THEY PRODUCED IN THEIR

                     22

FISCAL STRATEGY REPORT JUST A FEW MONTHS
AGO.

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY
AUTHORITY DOES NOT PERMIT THIS UNLESS
THEY INVOKE THE EXCEPTION CLAUSE.
MADAM SPEAKER:

I SIMPLY ASK, IS THE BUDGET IN LINE WITH THE
FISCAL STRATEGY REPORT RECENTLY DEBATED
IN PARLIAMENT.
AND IF NOT, IS THE GOVERNMENT COMMITTED
TO INVOKING THE EXCEPTIONS CLAUSE AND ON
WHAT BASIS?

WE BELIEVE THAT INVOKING THE EXCEPTION
CLAUSE WHILE CLAIMING SUCH AN INCREASE IN
REVENUE AND BEATING REVENUE TARGETS FOR
2021/22 WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE

INTENT AND DETAILS OF THE ACT.

THE CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM
DID NOT WORK, AND RESULTS WERE NOT
ACHIEVED IN ITS LAST ITERATION IN

                     23

ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S

OBJECTIVE AND THE IDB CRITERIA.
WHAT MAKES THE GOVERNMENT CONFIDENT
THAT IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL THIS TIME?

THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT
MUST BE ANSWERED.
MADAM SPEAKER:
WHEN THE FORMER GOVERNMENT LEFT OFFICE,
THE NEW DAY ADMINISTRATION GOVERNMENT
MET AN ECONOMY ON THE UPTICK.

THE MINNIS ADMINISTRATION TOOK THE
COUNTRY FROM A DECADE OF NO GROWTH TO A
CONSECUTIVE PERIOD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
PRIOR TO HURRICANE DORIAN AND THE
PANDEMIC.

ONCE THE COUNTRY WAS HIT BY THE HISTORIC
STORM AND GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS, WE MOVED
TO IMPLEMENT SEVERAL INITIATIVES TO KEEP
THE FISCAL GAIN WE HAD OVER THE PREVIOUS
YEARS.

                    24

THE FORMER GOVERNMENT PROVIDED

UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT TO BAHAMIAN
ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES AND
ESTABLISHED THE SMALL BUSINESS

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (SBDC/ACCESS

ACCELERATOR) TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT
AND FUNDING FOR ENTREPRENEURS.
MUCH OF THE PERFORMANCE BEING REPORTED
CAN BE TIED DIRECTLY TO THE ARDUOUS WORK
OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

MADAM SPEAKER:

IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF THIS NEW DAY
GOVERNMENT FLUSHES ALL THAT HARD WORK
DOWN THE DRAIN.

WE UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
GOVERNMENTS ARE CONTINUOUS AND WE WANT
THEM TO SUCCEED.
BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DO IT
RIGHT!

                    25

INFLATION
MADAM SPEAKER:

SINCE THE START OF THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
IN EASTERN EUROPE, THE PRICE OF GAS HAS
SKYROCKETED AND THE OVERALL COST OF
LIVING HAS AS WELL.
WE ARE ALREADY SEEING GAS PRICES ON NEW
PROVIDENCE INCREASING ON A DAILY BASIS,
HITTING $7 A GALLON, AND SLOWLY CREEPING
TO NEARLY $8.

THERE WAS VERY LITTLE, OR NO ATTENTION
PAID TO BPL AND THE COST OF ENERGY.

DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A STRATEGY TO
DEAL WITH INCREASED ENERGY FUEL COST AS
WELL AS COST OF FUEL AT THE PUMP?

I CRY FOR MY PEOPLE, RESIDENTS ON GRAND
BAHAMA AND THE FAMILY ISLANDS — WHO ARE
ALREADY EXPERIENCING HIGH GAS PRICES.

                      26

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE ADDITIONAL BURDEN
THEY WILL BE FACED WITH IN THE MONTHS TO
COME?

THE POSSIBLE IMPACT TO ELECTRICITY COSTS,
COST OF TRANSPORTATION, COSTS OF TRAVEL,
COST OF IMPORTATIONS, COST OF FOOD,
SHIPPING AND LOGISTICAL ISSUES.
THE PRIME MINISTER HAD ANNOUNCED THAT HE
WAS WORKING WITH SHIPPING COMPANIES TO
LOWER THE COST OF FREIGHT TO REDUCE THE
IMPACT OF HIGHER FOOD AND IMPORT COST.

THE PRIME MINISTER HOWEVER FAILED TO
MENTION     IN    HIS    COMMUNICATION      ANY
PROGRESS ON HIS DISCUSSIONS AND WHEN

BAHAMIANS MAY SEE THE RESULTS OF HIS
EFFORTS IN THE CONSUMPTION OF THESE
IMPORTS?

HAS THE PRIME MINISTER GIVEN UP ON THOSE
EFFORTS AND IF NOT, WHEN CAN BAHAMIANS
EXPECT     TO    SEE    RESULTS   VERSUS   MORE
RHETORIC?

                         27

MADAM SPEAKER:

BAHAMIANS ARE READY FOR RELIEF.
OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS HAVE LED THE WAY
TO DEPLOY THEIR OWN STRATEGIES FOR THEIR
PEOPLE, PROVIDING RESTITUTE FOR HIGH

ENERGY COSTS.
GIVE US THE PLANS FOR SOCIAL SERVICE
ASSISTANCE, FOOD SECURITY AND INFLATION
PROTECTION FOR BAHAMIANS IN THESE

INCREASINGLY HARD TIMES.

THIS   ADMINISTRATION     HAS   WAVED   THE
MINIMUM WAGE CARROT FOR MONTHS, BUT HAS
THERE BEEN ANY CONSIDERATION OF THE

INFLATIONARY EFFECT ON BUSINESS THE

INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGES WILL HAVE AT
THIS TIME WHEN OTHER MEASURES ARE

INTENDED TO HELP REDUCE INFLATION?
DOES THIS ADMINISTRATION SIMPLY HAVE NO
NEW IDEAS OUTSIDE OF BEING A 'COPY AND
PASTE GOVERNMENT”?

                     28

WE HAVE SAID BEFORE THAT THE GOVERNMENT
MADE A GRAVE MISSTEP IN DECREASING VAT
AND ADDING THE TAX BACK ON BREADBASKET
ITEMS, MEDICINE, INSURANCE, BABY FOOD AND
PRODUCTS, MEDICINES AND FEMININE

PRODUCTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY ZERO
RATED UNDER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION.
THEY HAD NO FORESIGHT TO SEE HOW THEIR
DECISION IS ULTIMATELY HURTING BAHAMIANS.

I ECHO THE OPPOSITION’S DEMAND THAT THE
GOVERNMENT BRING BACK THE HIGHLY

EFFECTIVE VAT HOLIDAYS FOR HURRICANE
SEASON AND FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING
THAT WERE INTRODUCED AND IMPLEMENTED BY
THE FNM.
IT WILL BE THE POORER HOUSEHOLDS THAT
WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THESE RISING PRICES.

THE MARINA INDUSTRY HAS ALSO EXPRESSED
CONCERN OVER THE PLAN TO NOW SUBJECT
CHARTERS IN BAHAMIAN WATERS TO VAT, SUCH

                     29

THAT THESE CHARTERS WILL NOW AMOUNT TO
14 PERCENT (4 PERCENT CHARTER FEE + 10
PERCENT VAT).

WE UNDERSTAND OTHER CARIBBEAN

COUNTRIES DO NOT CHARGE VAT ON THEIR

ALREADY CHEAPER CRUISE FEE.

DO   YOU   HAVE   ANY    CONCERN   THAT   THIS
INCREASE WILL DETER THIS LUCRATIVE

INDUSTRY AND CAUSE DOWNSTREAM
REDUCTION IN WAGES AND CONSUMER SPEND
FROM YACHT PATRONS AND MARINA

EMPLOYEES?

DO YOU NOT RECOGNISE THAT THIS COULD

ESSENTIALLY DRIVE BUSINESS INTO THE DOORS
OF OUR COMPETITION?

I JUST WANT TO KNOW, WHO’S SLEEPING AT THE
HELM HERE?

MADAM SPEAKER:

VERY PLAINLY, I ASK, ONCE AGAIN, HAS THIS
ADMINISTRATION BEGAN TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO

                        30

MITIGATE THE PENDING EFFECTS FROM THE
GROWING INFLATION.
WHAT SOCIAL SERVICE SUPPORT IS BEING
IMPLEMENTED TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE
IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED A RASH OF
REDUCTIONS ON DUTY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
AND INCREASING THE FLEET OF SUCH VEHICLES
USED BY GOVERNMENT.

HAS THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THE

REVENUE IMPACT OF THE DUTY REDUCTION AND
HOW IT WILL OFFSET THE LUCRATIVE TAXES
GOVERNMENTS EARNS DUE TO ANY

APPRECIABLE REDUCTION IN FUEL SALES?

THE PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED THAT REAL
PROPERTY TAX WILL NOW BE COLLECTED BY
BANKS, AS A PART OF THEIR MORTGAGE ESCROW
PAYMENT TOGETHER WITH HOME INSURANCE
PRESUMABLY.

DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE ANY CONCERN
THAT THIS INCREASED TO THE PAYMENT MAY

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PUSH SOME HOMEOWNERS OVER THE EDGE AND
CREATE DEFAULTS FOR MARGINAL HOME
QUALIFIERS AND SECONDLY, MAKE OTHER

POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS UNQUALIFIED

BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER MONTHLY PAYMENTS?

WILL THIS DEFEAT THE PUSH TOWARDS

HOMEOWNERSHIP, ESPECIALLY BY THE

MARGINAL COMMUNITIES?

THE SHIFT BACK TO BANK LICENSE FEES VERSUS
THE FEE REGIME IMPLEMENTED BY THE

PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO PUSH THE
FINANCIAL INDUSTRY BACK INTO DEFAULT AND
CONFLICT WITH OECD HARMFUL TAX RULES
AGAINST RING-FENCING.

DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE ANY CONCERN
OVER NEW BLACKLISTING AS A RESULT?

THE PRIME MINISTER COMMUNICATED THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE

DEVELOPMENT FUND AND A FAMILY ISLAND

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DEVELOPMENT FUND TO BE FUNDED BY REBATE
OF TAXES DERIVED FROM THE ISLANDS.
IF THE ALLOCATION OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS IS
STRICTLY IN PROPORTION TO TAXES, WON'T THIS
CREATE    FURTHER    UNEVEN     DEVELOPMENT
ACROSS THE ISLANDS AS THIS WITH A LOWER
TAX BASE COLLECT LESS AND THUS WILL BE

RELATED LESS?

OUR FAMILY ISLANDS DESERVE MORE THAN JUST
LEFTOVERS.

THEY DESERVE CONCERTED EFFORT. PLANNING.
REAL INVESTMENT.

FAMILY ISLANDERS ARE TIRED OF BEING

TREATED A GUESTS IN THEIR COUNTRY, OR
STEPCHILDREN TO NEW PROVIDENCE.
THERE IS SO MUCH TO OFFER ON OUR FAMILY
ISLANDS AND THEY DESERVE A CHANCE.

MADAM SPEAKER, IT HAS NOW BEEN OFFICIALLY
TWO YEARS SINCE THE BAHAMAS CONFIRMED
ITS FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 ON MARCH 15, 2020.

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IN LESS THAN A FEW DAYS OF THIS

CONFIRMATION, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY
HAD ALREADY BEGAN IMPLEMENTING

MITIGATION EFFORTS TO STOP A POSSIBLE
SPREAD WHEN WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE
VIRUS.

IT WAS THIS PROACTIVE ACTION IN THE EARLY
DAYS THAT SAW STRINGENT MEASURES MEANT
TO PROTECT BAHAMIANS, SO MUCH SO THAT
CONFIRMED CASES REMAINED SIGNIFICANTLY
LOW IN THOSE EARLY DAYS.

BUT NOW WE ONCE AGAIN BRACE OURSELVES AS
MORE CASES ARE CONFIRMED ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.

THE OPPOSITION IS CLOSELY WATCHING THE
POSITIVITY RATE, THE NUMBER OF IMPORTED
CASES,    THE   HOSPITALISATIONS,   AND   THE
DEATHS.

MADAM SPEAKER:

WE NEED TO REFOCUS OUR FIGHT IN THIS
PANDEMIC. ESPECIALLY AS WE SEE MORE

                      34

GLOBAL HEALTH THREATS SUCH AS MONKEY
POX.
ARE OUR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND

WORKERS READY FOR ANOTHER ROUND?

THIS IS THE WORRY OF BAHAMIANS AND

BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THINGS
JUST BEGINNING TO SEE A REBOUND. WHAT WILL
HAPPEN NEXT?

MADAM SPEAKER:

I BELIEVE THAT WORRYING DOESN’T DO US
MUCH GOOD. WE MUST ACT.

WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE FACILITIES ARE
READY, BED CAPACITY IS AT A MAXIMUM AND
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS ARE IN

ABUNDANCE.
WE MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTHCARE
WORKERS ARE PREPARE.
THIS MEAN GIVING THEM THE ASSISTANCE THEY
NEED.

THE HUNDREDS OF NEW NURSING STUDENTS
WHO RECENTLY GRADUATED MUST BE

                    35

ENCOURAGED TO STAY HOME AND WORK IN OUR
HOSPITALS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO OFTEN
POACHED BY THE WORLD WHO SEE THEIR

VALUE.

WE MUST BE PREPARED BECAUSE COVID IS STILL
VERY MUCH A THREAT.

IT SEEMS HOWEVER THAT THE URGENCY TO
TACKLE THE VIRUS HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH
IMMEDIATE NEED TO JET SET.

TRAVEL EXPENSES

MADAM SPEAKER:

AFTER CRITICISING THE FORMER
ADMINISTRATION OVER ITS TRAVELS, THIS NEW
DAY ADMINISTRATION HAD INCREASED ITS
TRAVEL BUDGET BY $4.1 MILLION, BUDGETING
$14.8 MILLION ON TRAVEL AND SUBSISTENCE
FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR FOR BOTH
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

                      36

THIS IS A COMPLETE CHANGE FROM JUST OVER
ONE YEAR AGO WHEN THE NOW PRIME
MINISTER LASHED THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS
INCREASE TO THE TRAVEL.

THE NOW PRIME MINISTER BEMOANED THE
MINNIS ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION BUT NOW
THAT THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT, HE
RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGAGING
INTERNATIONALLY AND CREATING MUTUALLY
BENEFICIAL NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

THE MINNIS ADMINISTRATION HAD A ROBUST
PLAN FOR THE BAHAMAS INTERNATIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS BUT WE HAD TO SHIFT FOCUS TO
THE PRESSING MATTERS AT HAND —
HURRICANE DORIAN AND THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WHEN
COVID-19 HIT, OUR ADMINISTRATION

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CANCELLED ALL TRIPS AND ENSURED THAT
THAT MONEY WAS USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF
THE
BAHAMIAN PEOPLE.

THIS NEW DAY GOVERNMENT THAT HAS BEEN IN
SINCE SEPTEMBER HOWEVER HAS SQUANDERED
THE BAHAMIAN TAXPAYERS’ MONEY AS WE
CONTINUE TO BATTLE CRISIS AFTER CRISIS.

THE PRIME MINISTER’S JUSTIFICATION FOR THE
INCREASE IS THAT “THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT
TRAVELS WILL COME UP THIS YEAR” AND THAT
JUST BECAUSE THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED
DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL BE USED.

HIS PRESS SECRETARY, WHO WE HEAR FROM
NOW A DAYS MORE THAN HIM, CLAIMS THE
PRIME MINISTER IS IN “HIGH DEMAND”
GLOBALLY.

I DON’T KNOW WHO THEY THINK THEY ARE

                     38

TRYING TO FOOL, BUT THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE
ARE NOT EASILY CONNED.

IT SEEMS VERY TWO FACED AND I JUST WANT TO
KNOW WHICH FACE I SHOULD BE TALKING TO
AT WHICH TIME. …FOOD LOCALLY IS IN HIGH
DEMAND…..JOBS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND
LOCALLY, HEALTHCARE IS IN HIGH DEMAND,
WOMEN AND CHILDREN PROTECTION IS IN HIGH
DEMAND.

MINISTRY OF YOUTHS SPORTS AND CULTURE

MADAM SPEAKER:

DURING MY TIME TENURE IN GOVERNMENT, I
WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEAR
MULTIPLE HATS INCLUDING THE SUBSTANTIVE
MINISTER OF YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE.

FOR ME AS A FORMER ATHLETE, THIS WAS AN
HONOR BECAUSE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THOSE ATHLETES
THAT I ONCE WAS.

                    39

I CANNOT CONTINUE TO STRESS ENOUGH THAT
YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE ARE THREE OF
THE MAJOR FABRICS OF OUR BAHAMIAN

IDENTITY THAT REQUIRE INVESTMENTS AT THE
HIGHEST LEVEL.

I HOPE THIS NEW DAY GOVERNMENT WILL

FURTHER INVESTMENT IN THESE AREAS.
MADAM SPEAKER:

THOUGH HE BARELY TOUCHED ON THE LEVEL
OF INJECTION HIS ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO
PUT INTO THE INDUSTRIES, THE PRIME MINISTER
ADVISED THAT THE COUNTY IS ATTRACTING
MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS TO THE BAHAMAS
THROUGH THE SPORTS IN PARADISE INITIATIVE
TO DIVERSIFY THE TOURISM PRODUCT.

THIS IS VERY ENCOURAGING.

IT WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE THE BABE RUTH
CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, CARIFTA TRACK
AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, THE WORLD

                     40

ATHLETICS RELAYS, NORTH AMERICA CENTRAL
AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN TRACK AND
FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ALL HOSTED HERE ON
OUR BEAUTIFUL BAHAMIAN SHORES.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PRIME MINISTER’S
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S
FUNDING OF THE ELITE ATHLETES PROGRAMME
TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR BAHAMIAN
ATHLETES AND SPORTING PROGRAMS IS ALSO
ENCOURAGING TO SEE.

IT WAS THE FNM GOVERNMENT THAT STARTED
THE ATHLETES SUBVENTION PROGRAM. WE
WERE SETTING THE STAGE FOR REWARDING OUR
OLYMPIC AND OTHER NATIONAL ATHLETES
WITH THE ACCOLADES THEY DESERVE.
MADAM SPEAKER:

I KNOW THE BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS THAT
OUR ATHLETES INVEST JUST TO HAVE THE
CHANCE TO PERFORM ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
AND THEY HAVE EARNED THE SUPPORT.

                      41

WE HOPE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IT
A STEP FURTHER AND PROVIDE THE
NECESSARY      TRAINING,    FACILITIES      AND
EQUIPMENT TO ALLOW OUR ATHLETES TO
REMAIN AT THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVE LEVEL
WITHOUT HAVING TO STRUGGLE OR BEG FOR
HELP.

THIS MEANS CREATING AN OVERALL BETTER
SUPPORT     SYSTEM   FOR   OUR   ATHLETES    TO
FLOURISH.
THE PRIME MINISTER SUGGESTED THAT

ANOTHER $42M MAY NEED TO BE SPENT ON THE
NATIONAL BASEBALL STADIUM.

HOW MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT AND
WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED RETURN ON THAT
INVESTMENT AND WHEN CAN BAHAMIANS
EXPECT TO SEE THAT INVESTMENT PAY OFF?

THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN OUR

ATHLETES CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED AND MUST
REMAIN A TOP PRIORITY FOR THIS NEW DAY
GOVERNMENT.

                      42

BUT MADAM SPEAKER:

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PARTS OF THE
MINISTRY? YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND

CULTURE.
IT IS THE UPMOST IMPORTANCE THAT WE

ENSURE THAT A NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY IS

ADVANCED AND IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO
PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, EMPOWER OUR YOUTH
AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO
SECURE THEIR FUTURES.

ADDITIONALLY, WE MUST REFOCUS OUR

ATTENTION ON JUST SELLING THE BAHAMAS. WE
MUST CURATE OUR IDENTITY.

PEOPLE COME TO OUR SHORES NOT ONLY FOR
SUN, SAND AND SEA, BUT FOR A CHANCE TO

EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING THAT IS TRULY

BAHAMIAN.

THIS IS THE MOST PRICELESS THING IN THE
WORLD.

THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT IT IS

                     43

DOING EVERTING IN ITS POWER TO REFINE THE
BAHAMAS’ CULTURAL IDENTITY FOR THIS NEW
GENERATION AND FOR THE WORLD TO PARTAKE
IN.

MADAM SPEAKER:

NEXT YEAR THE BAHAMAS WILL CELEBRATE IT’S
50TH YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE.
WE ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING THAT

MILESTONE AND ARE ALREADY HEARING OF THE
BIG BASHMENT BEING PLANNED.

IT SEEMS TO ME AS IF THIS PRIME MINISTER IS
TRYING TO SOLIDIFY HIS LEGACY. AND NO ONE
CAN JUDGE HIM FOR DOING THAT.

BUT IS IT IDEAL TO BE TRYING TO PILE ON
EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS DURING THIS
FISCALLY DRAINING TIME WITH NO PLAN ON
HOW OR WHERE THE FUNDS WILL COME FROM.

WE HAVE ALL THE SPORTING EVENTS ALREADY
ANNOUNCED, NOT TO MENTION ANOTHER ROYAL

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VISIT FOR THE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION
THAT WILL NO DOUBT ECLIPSE THE MORE THAN
$600,000 ON THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF

CAMBRIDGE’S ROYAL VISIT IN MARCH.

THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE WILL ONCE AGIN HAVE
TO FIT THE BILL FOR HIS EXTRAVAGANCE AND
GRANDIOSE POSTERING.
OF ALL THE THINGS OUTLINED IN THE

GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET, THERE WAS NO

MENTION OF HOW THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS
TO PAY FOR THESE THINGS.

WE HOPE THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION DOESN’T
SEEK TO ADD ANOTHER BURDENSOME DEBT ON
THE BACKS OF BAHAMIANS FOR ANOTHER BIG
PARTY.
THIS BUDGET WAS FILLED OF LOTS OF

APPETISERS FOR BAHAMIANS BUT NOTHING TO
SATISFY THEIR HUNGER.

THEY WANT MORE. THEY DESERVE MORE FROM
THIS NEW DAY ADMINISTRATION.

                     45

THIS WAY FORWARD BUDGET MISSES THE MARK
AND FAILS TO PUSH FORTH VALUABLE
OPPORTUNITIES LEFT BY THE FNM

ADMINISTRATION.

AS ALWAYS, THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION IS HERE
TO PROVIDE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS NEW
DAY GOVERNMENT.

I THANK THE PEOPLE OF THE BAHAMAS AND I
THANK GOD FOR HIS MANY BLESSINGS OVER OUR
COMMONWEALTH      IN        THESE   TUMULTUOUS
TIMES.

I AM CONTINUALLY HONORED AND GRATEFUL
FOR THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A

REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL
GRAND BAHAMA AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY
PART TO ADVANCE OUR COUNTRY FORWARD,
UPWARD, ONWARD, TOGETHER!

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