Appreciation is extended to our leader the Hon. Dr Hubert Minnis for the confidence he has placed in me and to the Parliamentary team along with key members of the FNM family for endorsing me.It is my intention to be diligent, meticulous and fearless in the discharge of my duties on behalf of Bahamians. It will be an honour to assist our leadership team in sharing our Party’s vision, policies, prospective legislation and the plan of action we will employ once returned to government.

Ordinarily my comments would have focused on my intention to commit to a bipartisan approach on matters that require it, however, this government has proven to be extremely tribalistic and no such posture by me would be received in good faith or cause them to be more inclusive of Bahamians from different political persuasions.

This appointment comes at a time when our civil liberties are under assault and some members of the police and other uniformed braches have permitted the executive branch of government to use them to violate the rights of the government’s political opponents, evidenced by the invasion of the home of our Chairman Darron Cash; evidenced by the fast tracking of charges against some while the PLP have “nolled,” delayed or ignored several cases involving friends or supporters of this government.

This appointment comes at a time when whistle blowers are sought out to be punished while the gatekeepers who should be investigated are rewarded for presiding over substantial financial losses and repeated bad decisions involving the people’s money.Not once did the police seize the computers or cell phones of bank officials who work under a continuous cloud, nor have they dared to challenge media houses that provided details on financial transactions, which may or may not be true. Instead they targeted a private citizen who asked questions that if truthfully answered would serve the publics interest.

My appointment comes at a time when the government would like the nation to be focused only on the alleged reprehensible act of spying by the US and not focus on the even more reprehensible spying by them, using NIA; an illegal agency they created.No amount of deflection will take our focus off government’s invasion of privacy, designed to discredit, intimidate and destroy its opponents.

We are here at a time when Grand Bahama continues to suffer due to a challenging economic climate. Rather than be sober and measured in their projections for rebound and growth the government have elected to be deceptive in painting a false rosy picture of growth and development that does not coincide with the reality on the ground throughout GBI.No amount of ads boasting accomplishments will change what has been two years of unremarkable governance.

Gaming while important and deserving of attention has dominated the PLP government’s agenda for most of the first two years of its five-year term despite the fact that the top five issues plaguing Bahamians continue to cry out for their attention. What about resolving the carnage in our communities and the fear it has generated locally and internationally; what about creating the environment for economic growth and development and facilitating the empowerment of the Bahamians they said they believed in; what about leading the charge to overhaul our educational system so as to raise academic expectations and ultimately performance; What about securing our future by relentlessly working onimproving healthcare nationally; and what about firmly but humanely addressing our immigration dilemma in a way that can be clearly measured.

Ladies and gentlemen, whether I remain in this position for one month or three years it is my intention in concert with our team to stand up and fight for what is in the best interest of Bahamians.Therefore, you will find me in Bimini supportive of development but opposed to development at the cost of the environment and the livelihoods it supports;You will find me Treasure Cay, Abaco fighting for the preservation of historically significant land and the prevention of further illegal dredging and bulldozing; In Clifton we will walk nature trails and take boat tours to highlight the potential for economic opportunities and to underscore the risks to such possibilities; You will find me in Coroners court where numerous families including Carolyn Stubbs cry out for answers to the death of their love ones.

Whether by statements at the dumpsite, demonstration in or outside government buildings or pursuing legal remedies in our courts, it is my intention to lock arms with disenfranchised Bahamians, victimized Bahamians, targeted FNMs and to collectively-stand our ground!