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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 Nassau, Bahamas - Contribution to The Budget Debate – 2016/2017 by The Hon. Neko Grant I, J.P. Member Of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama at House Of Assembly June, 13th 2016:
Mr. Speaker:
I rise on behalf of the wonderful people of Central Grand Bahama to contribute to the 2016 / 2017 Budget Debate.
Permit me to express my gratitude to the Government for the Constituency Allowance. My expenditure of it is well-documented. My constituents have and continue to benefit tremendously from it.
- The Gazebo at Sunrise Park is now completed.
- The storm drain-well in the Harbour West subdivision is completed.
- The road curbing work in Williams & Russell Town has been completed.
- The covered bleachers at the YMTA in Hunters is nearing completion.
- Freeport Bible Church has been assisted with procuring
Ground-transportation to help with its Outreach Ministry in Hunters, Mack Town, Lewis Yard and Pinders’ Point.
- The entire student body at the Lewis Yard Primary School have received back-packs. Parents can tick this item off their list of school supplies they would normally purchase for the new school year.
- The Bartlette Hill Primary School’s entire student body 310 students received their back-packs so their parent will not have to purchase this item before school re-opens.
- The Head Boy and Head Girl at St. Georges’ High School received laptop computers during their graduating exercise on Thursday 9th June 2016.
- Students in the Freeport area of the Central Grand Bahama Constituency will receive back-packs in August, at our annual back-to-school Jamboree.
Mr. Speaker:
Some years ago, on New Year’s morning, there was a heavy downpour of rain, resulting in the Junkanoo Parade being rescheduled for that evening. The turnout was tremendous. At that time, the Parade was being held in front of the Bahamas Princess and the International Bazaar. Parked cars lined East Sunrise Highway from East Atlantic Drive, all the way to Somerville drive, a distance of about a mile and a half.
It was reported to be the largest turnout ever, to that date, for a Junkanoo Parade on Grand Bahama. As a result of the tremendous success, it was decided that the New Year’s Day Parade would be held in the evening, rather than in the morning.
Mr. Speaker:
Over the years, I have witnessed the continuous improvement in costumes, music and creativity due to the hard-work of the Group Leaders and their dedicated, hard-working members. The 2016 New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade was a huge success. The sponsors, Group Leaders and members are to be commended and congratulated on their fine performances. It is a national disgrace that five (5) months after the 2016 Junkanoo Parade in Freeport, Grand Bahama, the groups have not received their prize-money yet!
When the Member for East Grand Bahama addressed this matter during his contribution on the 8th of June, the Minister responsible said it was the responsibility of the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Committee to arrange the payment, well this Committee was appointed by the Government of the Bahamas therefore they can be instructed to expedite the payment if they had the funds available. Group Leaders have advised me that the Committee has sent them to the Ministry of Youth’s Sports and Culture in Freeport who then turned them back to the Committee. If the funds were forwarded by the Ministry of Youth’s Sports and Culture to Grand Bahama for prize money to be paid I respectfully request that the Minister provide evidence that the funds have been forwarded.
The side opposite boasts of believing in Bahamians and putting Bahamians first, sadly this is not demonstrated. Seventy thousand dollars $70,000.00 was paid to Wyclef Jean. A foreign Entertainer. Here is what Wikipedia had to say about Wyclef Jean: ‘a Haitian rapper, musician and actor. At the age of nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life there. He first achieved fame as a member of the acclaimed New Jersey hip-hop group, the Fugees.
The side opposite say they believe in Bahamians, say they put Bahamians first, yet have not ensured that the groups in Grand Bahama were paid but Wyclef Jean was paid seventy thousand dollars $70,000.00 for his appearance at Carnival.
Destra Garcia, a female Entertainer who promotes vulgarity, was paid Thirty Thousand Dollars $30,000.00. Here are some lyrics from her popular song, ‘Lucy’: “I grew up as ah real good girl, always home, don go nowhere, Ah soon as I was introduce tuh Carnival, dey say I loose, All down on de ground, wukkin, wukkin up muh bottom, and it dragging, dragging all over town and dey say I Luucy! Was never a partyier, my school Bazaar I used tuh go But since I was introduce tuh Baccanal, dey say I loose! I looser than Lucy! I sweeter than juicy! This Carnival have meh so damn loose!”
Mr. Speaker:
Do we want our young sisters and daughters to emulate this vulgar Entertainer?
The P.L.P. Government paid Thirty Thousand Dollars $30,000.00 to pay this promoter of vulgarity, but have not ensured the prize-money for our Junkanoo
Groups in Freeport, Grand Bahama, who are promoting our culture, which is acclaimed worldwide.
A financial statement for Carnival 2015 has not yet been laid on the table of the House, a full year after the event. What was the true cost of this experiment? This was a big event for the Government, two Ministers had carriage – will one of the Ministers responsible, confirm or deny to this House, that Carnival 2015 cost in excess of Twenty Million Dollars $20,000,000.00?
Mr. Speaker:
The winning participants of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s 2016 Bahamas National Track and Field Championships, have nothing to show that they won a medal at this prestigious Track and Field event.
Mr. Speaker:
This is what the medals look like that were presented to the winners of Track and Field events held in Freeport, Grand Bahama. No inscription on the medal, to say which meet it was. No imprint of the event to indicate the race or event it was presented for.
Sir, it reminds me of medals purchased in a party-goods store, which are presented to children participating in games at a birthday party. I call upon the Minister to:
1) Find out who is responsible for selecting these ‘toy-like’ medals.
2) How much did the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture pay for them?
3) and most importantly, ensure that all winning participants in this meet are presented with appropriate medals, in ceremony at their various schools throughout the Bahamas.
Mr. Speaker:
What the banks are doing in this country to old men, women and children is equivalent, in my opinion, to them putting a gun to their heads in the middle of Bay Street (in Nassau), or Explorers Way (in Grand Bahama) and taking money out of their pockets.
Mr. Speaker:
I had a savings account at FinCo for my grandson. As of 15th February 2016, it had a balance of Two Thousand Five Hundred and Eleven Dollars (B$2,511.00). I thought I would round it off to Three Thousand Dollars (B$3,000.00) and so, on 19th May, 2016 I made a deposit of Five Hundred Dollars (B$500.00). To my surprise, on receiving the bank book and reviewing it, the balance was Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-nine Dollars (B$2,979.00). On further examination, I noted that there were deductions of Ten Dollars and Seventy-five cents (B$10.75) for the months of February, March and April, 2016. Ten dollars as a service charge and seventy-five cents as a V.A.T. charge. I was told that this service charge applied because the account had less than Five Thousand Dollars (B$5,000.00) on it.
I question Sir, what is the difference between the administration of a Five Hundred Dollar account and that of Five Thousand Dollars.
Mr. Speaker:
Something must be wrong with this unscrupulous charge.
Sir,
Can you imagine an old lady who leaves One Hundred Dollars (B$100.00) on a savings account with this institution on December, 2015 and returns on December, 2016 only to find that she has no money in the bank as the bank has taken all she thought she had, as service charge. As a matter of fact, she would be owing them Twenty-nine Dollars (B$29.00).
Mr. Speaker,
Something must be wrong with this.
Mr. Speaker,
Are the banks now encouraging us as a progressive people to resort to putting our savings under the mattress?
Mr. Speaker,
If you paid your handy-man One Hundred Dollars $100 by cheque drawn on Royal Bank, where is he to go other than to the Royal Bank to cash that cheque? He needs his money right away in most cases, and doesn’t have the luxury of depositing it on an account. I find it offensive that the Royal Bank is charging its customers Ten Dollars and Seventy-five cents (B$10.75) to cash a Royal Bank cheque, if he/she does not have an account with them.
And so, Sir, this poor man or woman, boy or girl, who walks into RBC with a Hundred Dollar cheque to cash, and does not have an account with them – would walk out with Eighty-nine Dollars and Twenty-five cents (B$89.25). This cannot be right, and I call upon the Government to do something about this unacceptable practice that is depriving poor people of their hard-earned money.
As a matter of fact, Sir, I went to the RBC Cable Beach Branch to deposit a Government issued RBC cheque for deposit to my Finco account in Freeport, Grand Bahama and was charged a fee as a service charge they claim for bank transfer. Could you imagine that? The signs are saying RBC, Finco – but because I am depositing it into a Nassau Bank for my Freeport account, I had to pay a fee. To add insult to injury, I asked for the Manager, who refused to come out, saying ‘It was, what it was’.
Mr. Speaker:
There are Bahamians in Management positions, especially those in the Human Resources Departments, who are kicking Bahamians to the curb. They are also deceiving this Government. How does a supposedly respected Bahamian, tell a qualified Bahamian with a Bachelor’s Degree that no vacancy exists, then turns around and makes application for a work-permit for an expatriate who has only a GED. Qualified Bahamians are being denied the opportunity to work in their own country, by Bahamians who are unscrupulous and who deceive the Labour and Immigration Departments.
Sir, let me declare my interest before I leave this topic. I have two relatives who have experienced this victimization by a well-known Bahamian. I will leave it there for now, but I call upon the Government to be vigilant and to closely monitor this unacceptable practice.
Mr. Speaker:
I now turn my attention to the Budget itself. During my contribution to the mid-year Budget, I complained about the Budget-book presentation. I was modest and said that it was ‘hard on the eyes’. But, Sir, the presentation of the 2016/2017 is harder on the eyes and requires a magnifying glass to read. I hope that the “powers that be” in the next presentation, enlarges the print and preserves the eyesight of members of this place.
BAHAMASAIR
Mr. Speaker:
I turn my attention to Bahamasair and quote from my mid-year Budget Contribution of March 15, 2016.
1) I draw your attention to the Right Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Under Aviation, he announced: “we have invested over one hundred million dollars to refleet Bahamasair”.
Mr. Speaker, the House has not approved such an expenditure. It is not accounted for in this mid-year Budget or any other budget, for that matter.
Sir, I draw your attention to Bahamasair Holdings Ltd. 2013/ 2014 Annual Report recently tabled in the House Under the subject heading of Emphasis of Matter, the Auditors had this to say about Bahamasair: “during the year ended June 30, 2014, and as of that date, the Company’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets by $23,523,763. (2013: $22,685,284). The Company also shows a deficit of $555,124,254 as of year-end. (2013: $539,410,368). These conditions, along with other matters as set forth in Note 2, indicates the existence of a material uncertainty, which may cast significant doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern without the continued financial support of the shareholder.”
The shareholder is the Government or the people of the Bahamas. The liability of $23 million dollars was as of June, 2014.
What is the liability as of June, 2015?
We should be reviewing the 2015 Financial statement, not the 2014.
Bahamasair is bankrupt. For the benefit of the people on the street and for the children in school, if Bahamasair were to sell everything that it owns, including the staple machines on the ticket counter, they will still have to find, as of June, 2014, Twenty-three Million Dollars ($23 million) to pay its outstanding debts.
Where did this One Hundred Million Dollars (B$100 million) come from to re-fleet Bahamasair?
Which financial institution in this world will give Bahamasair, which is bankrupt, One Hundred Million Dollars to purchase aircraft, without a guarantee from the Government of the Bahamas?
On behalf of the good people of the country, I demand an answer to this question.
Mr. Speaker:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Bahamasair responded that he would provide the answer during his Contribution. He did not. On completion, I reminded him of his commitment, he then said that Bahamasair had secured the One Hundred Million Dollars to re-fleet on its own merit, from a financial institution. I had my doubts then, and am now able to confirm, having examined the 2016/2017 Budget.
Mr. Speaker:
In the aforementioned Budget, an estimated Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars (B$14, 850,000.00) was approved as a subsidy for Bahamasair.
Sir,
I draw your attention to Head 33 of the 2016/2017 Budget. Head 33, Block 90, line item 919220 – Bahamasair Holdings Ltd. Under Expenditure Provisional, July to March 2015/2016, Forty-four Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-three Thousand, Two Hundred and Eight-three dollars (B$44,763,283) was given to Bahamasair.
Mr. Speaker:
We now know how these new ATR aircraft were purchased. On whose authority did this Government give Bahamasair Thirty Million Dollars (B$30 million) more than was approved by this House. Where did this money come from? This House approved $14.8 million for Bahamasair. The Government turned around and gave them $44.7 million. I am prepared to yield for an answer.
Mr. Speaker:
We have numerous questions that have been on the Agenda for over three years, but remain unanswered.
Sir,
I draw your attention to Question #62.
2) Mr. Speaker,
Question #62 deals with the Fire Station being constructed in Freeport, Grand Bahama:
I) Will the Minister provide the scope of works for the new Fire Station at Freeport, Grand Bahama?
II) Will the Minister please provide the list of Contractors invited or selected to bid on the project?
III) Will the Minister provide the detailed bids of each Contractor and the in-house estimate?
IV) Will the Minister lay on the Table of this House, a copy of the detailed contract executed for this project?
While work seems to be progressing satisfactorily on this structure, just over $2 million have been paid to March, 2016 versus the $3 million budgeted for this financial year. It is suggested, as it has not been confirmed here that the project will cost some Six Million Dollars (B$6 million). So the estimates for 2016/2017 of Three Million Dollars (B$3 milllion) should suffice to cover the total cost of the project.
Why is it necessary for preliminary forecast estimates of Three Million Dollars (B$3 million) in 2017/2018 and Three million Dollars in 2018/2019. This project should be completed during this up-coming Budget year, or are we expecting cost over-runs that this Government is not prepared to disclose? I look forward to a response.
Mr. Speaker:
I draw your attention to Question #64 – The Fishing Hole Bridge.
Mr. Speaker: Question #64 deals with the Fishing Hole Bridge:
1. Will the Minister kindly lay on the Table of the House, a copy of the scope of works for the construction of the Fishing Hole Bridge?
2. Will the Minister lay on the Table of the House, a list of Contractors invited to bid on the Fishing Hole Bridge and their respective bids?
3. Will the Minister lay on the Table of the House, the in-house estimate for the construction of this Bridge?
4. Will the Minister lay on the Table of this House, a copy of the contract executed for the construction of this Bridge?
Mr. Speaker,
Having attended the contract signing ceremony, I’m aware, according to the pronouncement of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works, that a contract was executed in the amount of $6.5 million dollars.
The Prime Minister has declared that the bridge is expected to be opened by January of 2017. Six Million Dollars (B$6 million) was approved in the 2015/2016 Budget. According to the Budget, up to March, 2016 some Six Hundred Fifty-five Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty-eight Dollars (B$655,358.00) have been spent. Six Million Dollars is estimated in the 2016/2017 Budget. I question again, why is it necessary to forecast an additional Twelve Million Dollars (B$12 Million) after the bridge is expected to be completed.
Mr. Speaker:
I draw your attention to Head 33, Item 736,299 – Family Island Airports. Deadman’s Cay, Treasure Cay, Cat Island and Mayaguana. From 2014/2015, $2.5 million was approved. January 2015/2016, $2.5 million was again approved. In this Budget of 2016/2017, $4 million is being approved.
Mr. Speaker:
When I addressed this line item last year, I spoke about deception, as only Two Hundred and Twenty-six Thousand and Twenty-five (B$226,025.00) was spent. Up to March, 2016, $2.7 million was spent. I believe most of us in this place and indeed many members of the public, are aware of the work that needs to be done at these four (4) airports. And so as we review these budgeted numbers, we know that it can only be deception.
Mr. Speaker:
Let us look at Head 33, Line 731260 – Construction of Gymnasiums in Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat Island. In every Budget year since the P.L.P. came to office, $5 million was budgeted for these projects. Last year, the Budget showed zero expenditure to March, 2015. In this year’s Budget, Two Hundred Thirty-three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-four Dollars $233,944.00 was spent up to March, 2016. Deception at its highest. Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat Island will not be receiving Gymnasiums under this P.L.P. administration. There is no proper provisions made for them the budgeted amount is most inadequate.
BAMSI
Mr. Speaker:
It has been well over a year since the dormitory at BAMSI was destroyed by fire. We were told that the Contractor had met all of the prerequisites for mobilization and subsequent payments. This proved to be untrue, as he did not have the required all-risk insurance. Over Two Million Dollars $2 million of the people’s money was unlawfully paid to the Contractor. Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works reported that it was the responsibility of the Contractor to rebuild the dormitory. At least to the tune of the amount he was paid. A recent Press Report indicated that the Contractor said that he had done what he was supposed to do and that the Ministry was at fault, and had to replace the damaged building themselves.
Mr. Speaker:
The Bahamian people demand answers to the status of the damaged building at BAMSI, or will we be faced with another ‘do nothing and the people will forget’?
According to an article in The Tribune of Wednesday, May 25, 2016 ‘Replacement of Dorm at BAMSI to take 2 years to complete’ – it reads as follows: ‘The reconstruction of the fire-damaged male dormitory at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in North Andros, will likely take two years to complete, the establishment’s Director, Dr. Godfrey Eneas said yesterday’.
Who is paying for the reconstruction of this dorm? Will the Bahamian people be saddled with this bill or will the Contractor be made to pay? Two years is a long time to complete this dorm, which raises many questions.
Under Head 33, Line 732420, $4.6 million was spent on BAMSI up to March, 2016. How was this money spent?
For 2016/2017, Twelve Million Dollars $12 million is being budgeted. How will this money be spent?
Mr. Speaker,
Question #43 deals with the dumpsite on Harold Road:
1. Will the Honourable Minister table a copy of the Management contract between Renew Bahamas and the Government?
2. Will the Honourable Minister inform this Honourable House whether a bidding process was involved?
Sir,
This Government owned facility is managed by a foreign entity. But this Government claimed that they believed in Bahamians they also claim that they put Bahamians first. The land fill / dumpsite in Freeport, Grand Bahama is properly managed by a Bahamian, a proud son of Long Island. I believe he can give this foreign entity individuals lessons on how to properly manage a dumpsite. The Bahamian people were not afforded the courtesy or respect of being informed on the conditions under which this facility is being managed. The recent news reports speak volumes of the manner in which it is. With a school in the vicinity, having classes dismissed and residents in the area seeking to move to another area to prevent them from being challenged health-wise, because of the smoke, etc. emanating from the dumpsite.
Mr. Speaker:
Question #65 deals with the repainting of the Garnett Levarity Justice Centre in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Despite my addressing this matter during my Contribution in March of this year, the unfinished painting remains an eyesore.
Mr. Speaker,
The economy of Grand Bahama is on life-support. I am advised that Bahamians are being unceremoniously dismissed from prominent Industrial Corporation, under very suspicious circumstances. Earlier, I spoke of Bahamians in managerial positions deceiving the Government and participating in the victimization of qualified Bahamians. More to come on this matter.
Mr. Speaker,
The employees at the Treasure Bay Casino in Freeport, continue to work in less than favorable conditions. Needless to say, patrons endure the same discomfort.
Four years ago, the F.N.M. was criticized by the PLP for the arrangements left in place and this Government promised to find a new Operator. Well, it’s been over two years since we were informed that the potential list of Operators was short-listed and a new Operator was imminent.
I suppose they’re still reviewing the short-list to make a determination of who this new Operator will be…….. Late again.
While on the subject of gambling the Minister responsible should be commended for shutting down the number kiosks in a food store here in Nassau. I sincerely hope that in Freeport Grand Bahama he will ensure that the proper distance between Gaming Houses Churches and Schools are adhered to without further delay.
Thousands remain unemployed in Grand Bahama and with graduation now on the way, hundreds more will join the unemployment line.
Promises do not pay mortgages, utility bills, school fees or put bread on the table. The good people of Grand Bahama demand action, so that the economy of Grand Bahama can rise from the shambles that it is in.
The dignity of our people needs to be restored. They want to work so they can take care of their families.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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