thebahamasweekly.com - Dr. Minnis on the Prime Minister’s Comments on VAT

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamian Politics
Dr. Minnis on the Prime Minister’s Comments on VAT
By The Free National Movement
Feb 3, 2017 - 1:03:30 PM

Dr. Minnis, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), issued the following statement on the Prime Minister’s comments on VAT:

“As typical establishment politicians do, the embattled Prime Minister is attempting to have his cake and eat it too. Last week Minister Halkitis made a big showing listing all the things the onerous VAT was spent on, but then in Parliament this week the embattled Prime Minister stated that most of it went to supplement the reduction in taxes and for debt reduction. Are the people to believe that Prime Minister Christie is a magician who can magically stretch the onerous VAT payments to cover all these things? The truth suggests otherwise, because this Government is still running deficits, the people are still forced to pay the VAT and we are all left to wonder just what exactly their VAT did in fact pay for. A straight answer from this Government would be welcomed.”

“It goes without saying that Minister Halkitis’ big showing last week was met with crickets because the items he is claiming the VAT paid for were actually funded by loans that will eventually have to be paid for by the Bahamian tax payer. And as for the embattled Prime Minister, it defies logic to suggest the VAT went to debt reduction when we have seen our debt skyrocket under the reckless spending of this PLP Government.”

“Maybe if the PLP didn’t exempt their Chinese allies working on the Baha Mar project and the sub-contractors from the onerous VAT then they would have money to cover all these wonder claims they are making. Unfortunately, that is not the case and the people are forced to pay the price for the Prime Minister’s sleight of hand and typical tricks.”

“The FNM is ready to truly fix the economic challenges facing The Bahamas. We will not operate in secrecy and in the dark of the night as this PLP Government has. It is time for the Bahamian people to have a government that is theirs, because now, it is the people’s time.”