Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - February 22, 2017 it was standing room only for The Rotaract Club of Freeport Grand Bahama's first Political Forum held at Geneva's Place Downtown. While candidates from all Political parties of the Marco City constituency were invited to participate, questions submitted to each candidate in advance and attendance confirmed by each candidate in advance; FNM Candidate Michael Pintard and DNA Candidate Nevar Smith and PLP Candidate Norris Bain, only the FNM and DNA candidates showed up for the young businessperson's Political Forum. It was a vibrant well organized nonpartisan event put on by The Rotaract Club of Freeport accented with direct questions from young persons seeking relevant policy answers that have and will have direct bearing on their lives. It is our hope that another opportunity will arise enabling persons to hear from ALL candidates as to their position on issues of vital importance on the lives of all Bahamians, young and old.
FNM Marco City Candidate makes strong case for business growth and development in the Port area. DNA candidate Nevar Smith is on the left. (Photo by Mackey Media Ltd)
In this video the FNM candidate for Marco City not only outlines some of the challenges facing business owners, but he reveals new solutions for fostering business growth and development in Freeport. As it pertains to the process of forcing businesses to get approval first at local level then at a national level, Pintard contends that tens, possibly hundreds of millions were never invested here in Freeport as a result.
The Marco City FNM candidate prefaces his presentation by saying; "The reality is that a part of the problem in Freeport is that successive governments have unfortunately interfered with a wonderful model in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement." As a solution Pintard reveals a new plan; "The FNM intends to set up a 1-Stop Shop, so that if you are a Bahamian and wish to invest in Freeport you won’t have to get an approval in Freeport then have to go to a politician motivated by Political consideration to hold up your project for 6 months or one year until you are no longer interested.” Pintard exemplifies this by pointing out that "Port Lucaya was sold and approved by GBPA many months till the deal almost came off the table" and emphatically states; “I will fight for your rights to be protected, not just from GBPA (if they are excessive in any of their decisions) but from the Central Government of The Bahamas. Many Nassau focused politicians are interfering on what we can do here.” Weighing in on the Grand Bahama (Port Area) Investment Incentives Act, 2016, Mr. Pintard states; “If you think things are tough now, if we do not repeal the legislation just passed, things are going to get even worse.” Going further, Mr. Pintard says that "what the government has done quite quietly is they have put in place a piece of legislation that will seriously damage Freeport.”
You will want to be certain to watch this video to hear Mr. Pintard's vision for progress,
