|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Dr. Minnis, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), issued the following statement on the nearing PLP budget presentation:
“The annual budget presentation is upon us. What will this Government offer? A true path forward out of our country’s downward trajectory, or more of the same? Will the PLP serve up an election year budget rife with headline grabbing spending that our taxpayers cannot afford but will be forced to foot the bill when all is said and done? Or will this Government finally come to terms with their years of neglect and focus on enriching their friends, families and allies at the Bahamians expense? The budget means their day of reckoning is soon at hand.”
“Hopefully they will offer a sound economic blueprint that will address the growing deficit. They have created over $100 million more than they originally estimated. Will they finally have a plan that ends our country’s two straight years of negative economic growth? Or will this budget address the massive unemployment created by the stalled Baha Mar debacle. Will their budget anticipate Baha Mar finally getting on track - and deliver the 5,000 good paying jobs they promised?”
“Can the Bahamian people expect their tax dollars will again be seized to continue bailing out the Bank of The Bahamas. It was the PLP appointed chairman who publicly admitted that the bank used political considerations in its lending decisions. How much more tax dollars must be allocated to the PLP’s efforts to enrich their friends, families and allies at the Bahamian peoples expense, using the Bank of The Bahamas as their personal piggy bank.”
“Any meaningful budget would include efforts to finally rid our country of the rampant corruption that has infected every aspect of our government under the PLP leadership, hurting our people – robbing them of jobs, hurting businesses and driving up costs. This budget should ensure that the lucrative contracts that have been handed out to allies of the PLP become a thing of the past. Whenever the government is spending the people’s tax dollars it should be done in an open and transparent manner with true accountability. True transparency will save money and help the country to avoid the series of headlines we see each week of one government agency after another swallowed up in scandal and failing to deliver for Bahamians. The people should come before PLP party loyalists.”
“It is the people’s hope that this Government will finally rise to the challenges which they themselves have helped to create in our country. No more empty rhetoric or continued broken promises. This budget will be a true test of whether the PLP has any meaningful plans to get the Bahamas back on track.”
“We in the FNM are ready to rise to the challenge. We will deliver accountability and transparency and focus on the people. We will offer true plans to turn our country around – not false hope paid for with the people’s tax dollars. The FNM stands ready to provide solutions that will change lives, help communities and empower the people. Plans and ideas that will finally move the Bahamas forward for everyone, not just for the chosen few.”
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
