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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Nassau, Bahamas - Touted by Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie as “new generation leaders,” the National General Council (NGC) of the Progressive Liberal Party ratified Education Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald and Finance State Minister the Hon. Michael Halkitis to run in the 2017 general elections; the ratification took place at the NGC’s monthly meeting on Thursday evening, 19thMay 2016.
Both incumbents were ratified in their current constituencies – Fitzgerald in Marathon and Halkitis in Golden Isles.
This round of ratification comes on the heel of the confirmation of Yamacraw MP the Hon. Melanie Griffin and Mr. Alfred Sears for Fort Charlotte.
Fitzgerald is credited with leading the transformation of the College of The Bahamas to a university; revising the Freedom of Information Act; crafting a bipartisan national education plan; establishing the education leadership institute to strengthen leadership among administrators in the public schools; expanding pre-school and special needs education; completing the INSPIRE project to create 21stcentury interactive classrooms and establishing a comprehensive tracking system to aggressively address truancy and the high rate of drop outs among our youth. The year 2014 was a watershed year for education when passes in the BJC and BGCSE were among the best in 20 years.
A very successful jurist and businessman, Fitzgerald has brought much of the talents and administrative skills honed in the private sector to public service; he clearly has a bright future in politics and government.
A College of The Bahamas alumnus and certified Financial Analyst by profession, Halkitis lead the charge in reducing the unsustainable budget deficit of $536 million in 2012 by $398 million in four short years. By any objective and international standard, the government’s short and medium term fiscal consolidated plan was a qualified success, thanks to Michael’s leadership and keen intelligence. The government’s tax reform initiative, revenue enhancement measures and the modernization of the government’s revenue collection platforms at the ministry and at the Customs Department have stabilized the country’s public finances and effectively put the government’s fiscal house in order and on sound fiscal footing.
There can be no doubt that Michael is one of the brightest stars in the local political galaxy and having leaders like him and Fitzgerald at the tiller of governance augurs well for the future stability, growth and development of The Bahamas.
I am proud to have worked with these two fine gentlemen in cabinet, in parliament and at the party and constituency levels. They have represented themselves, The Bahamas government and the Bahamian people well.
PROFILE: HON. JEROME K. FITZGERALD MP
Mr. Fitzgerald was born on the April 3rd, 1966 on New Providence Island, Nassau, Bahamas. He is married to Zaria Fitzgerald and they have three lovely children: Edward, Jared and Zahra.
Political Highlights: Mr. Fitzgerald was sworn in as Minister of Education, Science and Technology on May 10, 2012.
His current Ministerial portfolio includes:
Education Scholarships
Education Loans
Distance Learning
Relations with the College of The Bahamas
Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute
Relations with Church-operated and other private schools
Public Libraries and Reading Centres
Retired Public Record and Historical Archives
Relations with the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums
Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute
Technical Cadet Corps
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education, Pre-schools
Relations with school boards
Special Education
Development and Promotion of Facilities for Scientific and Technological Education, research and innovation
Promotion of Scientific Exhibitions
Mr. Fitzgerald was appointed to the Senate by the Leader of the Opposition the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie on the 21st of May 2007. At the 2009 National PLP Convention Mr. Fitzgerald vied for the Deputy Leadership position of the Party.
Education: He received his early education at Queen’s College Primary School, graduating from St. Andrew’s School in New Providence. He received his tertiary education at Essex University of London and the University Business School, London where he studied law, graduating with an LL.B, LL.M, and MSc. He has achieved additional professional certifications, including the Certificate of Proficiency, The Chartered Insurance Institute London England, Licensed ‘Life and Other than Life’ Insurance Salesman, Bahamas.
Civics/Social: Mr. Fitzgerald has served in many civic and corporate organisations. He is a member of the Boulle and Young Presidents Organisation.
Professional/Career: Mr. Fitzgerald is the managing partner of Chancery Law Associates and his other work experience included positions at Global Custom Brokers and Trucking, Elliot B. Lockhart & Co., Higgs & Johnson, RND Cinemas/RND Holdings and Chancery Law Associates.
Mr. Fitzgerald was born on the April 3rd, 1966 on New Providence Island, Nassau,
PROFILE: HON. MICHAEL HALKITIS MP
Mr. Michael Halkitis was born February 1, 1969 in Nassau, Bahamas and is married to Dr. Tracy Roberts-Halkitis. They have two children Kiran and Soraya.
Political Highlights:Mr. Halkitis was sworn in as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance on May 10, 2012.
Present Ministerial Portfolio: Government finance and borrowings, revenue, Treasury Department, Customs Department, budgetary planning and Central Bank of The Bahamas, Bahamas Development Bank, Mortgage Relief Programme, banks and trust companies, insurance, relations with the Securities Commission, relations with the Insurance Commission, Post Office Savings Bank, spirits and beer manufacturing, auctions, Treasure Trove, wrecks, business licences and valuations, guarantee loans (tourism development) regulations of Financial Services, and First Time Homeowners Tax Exemption Programme.
Mr. Halkitis was elected to Parliament for the first time on May 2, 2002, as the Member of Parliament for the Adelaide Constituency. He was appointed to the Senate in 2007 by the Leader of The Opposition Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie.
Education:A graduate of St. Augustine’s College, Michael began his tertiary career at The College of The Bahamas. He earned a Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario, Canada in 1991.
Professional/Career: Mr. Halkitis is a Financial Analyst, Trader, Portfolio Manager and Private Banker. He is currently employed as a Chartered Financial Analyst at British American Financial.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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