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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Nassau, The Bahamas - Address by the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, MP, Minister Of Agriculture & Marine Resources at the 52nd National General Convention at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort on 26th January, 2017:
Fellow Delegates, please allow me to thank the Hon. Prime Minister for his confidence in me, my wife Bessley and our children, and extended family, the people of the MICAL Constituency, the Permanent Secretary, and the staff of my ministry of all that they have done for me.
Fellow Delegates,
If I had time, I would tell you that:
Sixty four years ago, the Progressive Liberal Party – was formed. It is presently the oldest, the strongest and most united and reliable political Organization, in the Bahamas today, but you know that, already.
Fellow Delegates,
If I had time, I’d tell you that this Party has been in the forefront of every socio – political development and empowerment in the Bahamas, from the 1960’s, to this very day – starting with the Advent of Majority Rule, but you know that, already.
Fellow Delegates,
If had time, I’d tell you that this party, this Progressive Liberal Party, is responsible for creating, The College of The Bahamas (Now the University of The Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, The National Insurance Board, among so many others, but you know that, already.
Fellow Delegates,
If I had time, I’d tell you that this Party had only (3) Leaders in 64 years, those other parties change leaders every year, as if they were a social club, but you know that, already.
Fellow Delegates,
If I had time, I’d tell you that this party, The Progressive Liberal Party, just a year or so ago, empowered thousands of Bahamians by increasing the minimum wage from $150 per week to $210 per week, an increase of $60.00 per week but you know that, already.
Fellow Delegates,
What I will tell you, is that this Party from 2012 to now has rescued our Country from the brink of financial disaster, paying of some $500 million in debt left behind by the FNM.
Fellow Delegates,
What I will also tell you is that, in our country today, if you get (real sick) and have no money, the rich lives and the poor dies. This Party, the Progressive Liberal party, will in the next few weeks, introduce to the Bahamian people a National Health Insurance scheme, so that no longer cook-outs and supper-Sale will be necessary in order for the poor to be able to access proper health care. This new National Health Insurance Scheme will be available to all Bahamians, no matter his/her pre-existing medical condition, and will be so from the cradle to the grave.
Fellow Delegates,
I could go on and on, but I wish to mention just a few of my Ministry’s achievements, during the last 4 ½ years. About 20 years ago, our first Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Pindling, had a Dream. A dream that one day, the Island of Andros, would become the Bread Basket Island, of the Bahamas.
In fulfillment of that dream, some three (3) years ago, our present Prime Minister, Perry Gladstone Christie, committed and invested over $20 million in the establishment of BAMSI (The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute).
Since then, BAMSI has produced interalia over Twenty (20) Thousand cases of bananas, over Eight (8) Thousand cases of papayas, and despite the set-back brought about by Hurricane Matthew, BAMSI is on its way back, and is now producing; Tomatoes, Onions, Citrus, Livestock, Coconuts, Pineapples, Peanuts, and much more, and in the process, has employed and empowered almost 200 Bahamians, mainly from the Island of Andros.
Fellow Delegates,
BAMSI held its first Graduation Exercises in June of last year, when 23 students graduated with Diplomas, Certificates or Degrees in Agriculture and or Marine Science. This is Educational Empowerment.
Secondly Fellow Delegates, my Ministry, has just launched after 23 years of trying, the first Legal Framework or set Regulations, for the Fly Fishing Industry, and I can tell you, that Bone Fish Guides and Lodge Operators are ecstatic about this new development and empowerment, and I can assure you that our country will be the better for it, and guess what? The first Fly Fish License in the Bahamas, under these Regulations, was issued to an avid Angler, Mrs. Bernadette Christie, the wife of our Prime Minister, on the 9th January, 2017.
Fellow Delegates,
We import almost $1Billion worth of food every year, and every day my Ministry seeks to find ways to empower Farmers and Fishermen throughout the Bahamas, by granting them duty free concessions, for farming equipment such as tractors, trucks, etc., we also offer assistance in Land Clearing, Irrigation Systems, Animal Feed, Vegetable seeds, Fertilizers, and the list goes on and on. This is empowerment.
Fellow Delegates,
We also seek to empower Bahamians through our Co-operative Department and through our School’s Cooperative Unit, to become Employers rather than Employees.
Boat Owners and Sailors, and vendors have been empowered through increased funding for Regattas from 250k in 2012, to 1 million dollars in 2016.
Fellow Delegates,
Lest I run out of time, I now wish to list some of the accomplishments in the MICAL Constituency since I was the Member of Parliament:-
IN LONG CAY
A new water (RO) system was installed;
Installation of hard Telephone lines;
Reconstruction of a dock (South side);
Construction of Cabanas at the North and South side Docks; and
The installation of Cable T.v.
IN INAGUA
Installation of cable t.v;
Installation of a new (RO)water plant;
Construction of New Mini Hospital;
Light installation on the Sports field at Pigeon Park;
Renovation and expansion of the terminal building;
Restored the Administrator’s Residence;
Restored and expanded the Administrator’s Office Complex;
A New docking facility (is now under construction);
A new nurse’s residence was constructed;
A new doctor’s residence was constructed;
Lights were installed on the Airport runway;
A new Morgue was constructed; and
A new high school – (has gone out to tender and construction should begin shortly);
IN MAYAGUANA
A new (R.O.) water system installed;
Hard Lines Telephones were installed;
A new Morgue was constructed;
A new airport runway was constructed (5 million dollars);
Lights were installed on the airport runway;
Cable t.v. was installed;
Plans for a new airport terminal (is now completed and should go to tender shortly);
IN ACKLINS
Hard Lines Telephone were installed;
A new Community Centre was constructed at (Spring Point);
A Hurricane Shelter was reconstructed at Chesters Bay;
A new water system was installed at Salina Point;
A new Water System was installed at Snug Corner and Mason’s Bay;
Cable tv. was installed (but presently out of commission, because of hurricane Joaquin);
A Police station was opened at (Salina Point);
A new clinic was restored and is now operational at Chester’s Bay (with a Resident Nurse);
The Airport Terminal building was recently renovated and expanded at Spring Point;
A new Administrators office built at (Masons Bay);
A new Regatta site constructed at (Spring Point);
Boat ramps were built in (6 different locations);
Lights were installed on airport runway to allow for emergency night flights;
New Morgue constructed at Spring Point;
New roads – from Spring Point to Salina Point (are presently under construction);
A new bridge and sea wall should now be under construction at Lovely Bay;
CROOKED ISLAND
New Roads ,sea wall and bridges are now under construction;
Community park buildings are now under reconstruction;
Lights are installed on airport runway;
The Administrator’s Residence has been recently repaired;
Administrator’s Office has been expanded and repaired;
Cable t.v. has been installed;
A Boat ramp has been built at (Majors Cay);
Hard line telephones have been installed;
Renovations have been done to the clinics at both Colonel Hill and Landrail Point;
A new Shed was constructed at Turtle Sound and sea walls have been constructed at the Ferry Landing, at Cove Point;
Fellow delegates,
Much has been done, as you can see, but there is several things am working on, and they should begin before or soon after the next General Election.
A new docking facility for Crooked
Island;
New roads from (North to South)
in Long Cay; and
A New docking and cruise port facility
for Acklins at Salina Point;
Fellow Delegates,
I intend to run, and by God’s Help, “Am in it, to win it”.
May God Bless each of you, and may God Bless our Party, and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
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