Senator Allyson Gibson's

 Speaking Notes

 Mid Term Budget 2011

17 March, 2011‏

Madame President as we meet here in this place to debate the mid term budget, I fear that citizens outside who are hurting more than ever are giving a massive “suck teeth”. Too many Bahamian dreams have been dashed to the ground and trampled upon. Too many people are out of work, have lost their homes, have been victims of crime, and are suffering from hopelessness.

Economists make it clear that the unemployment rate is at record levels. They point out that a comparison of unemployment rates in the 1970s with rates in the 21^st century is like comparing apples and oranges. I am advised that the unemployment figures are available for 2010. They have not been released because unemployment is more than 20%. And if under employment, that is those who have given up and have stopped looking for a job, were taken into account the unemployment rate would be nearer 30% than 20%.

It is incredible that the government continues to waste time on this mid year exercise that does not produce one new job. It does not save one home from the foreclosure block. It does not save one Bahamian business from the cruel and harsh economic burdens imposed upon small and mis sized businesses by the FNM.

I had to pray fervently about what I would speak about in these circumstances. Today I shall speak about what I hear when I speak with Bahamians here and abroad.

I hear people with high hopes and dreams about their future. I also hear their concern that when they dare to dream, those dreams are dashed to the ground. I hear them asking, “why didn’t you tell us what you were doing?”

When Bahamians buy a lot of land to build a house on, we dream about what that house will look like and how many happy days we and our family and friends will spend in that home. You and your family talk with your architect. You plan how you will pay for your dream house. You plan when you will move in and bless the house. If anyone tells you, “you only talk, plan and dream; you don’t do anything” you tune that person out. You know your plans to accomplish your dream and you will not let anyone dash your hopes to the ground.

I admit that the PLP was not the best at communicating how we were accomplishing the Bahamian dream. People keep on saying, “why didn’t you tell us then?” They now see Albany; Baha Mar; Kerzner Phases 3 and 4; the Straw Market; the SW Port and the airport expansion as part of the way to secure the future for Bahamian employees and entrepreneurs while securing our children’s future through, among other things, education, health care, the social safety net and prudent fiscal management.

The IMF and S&P spoke in glowing terms about the PLP’s management of the economy. The people I spoke to remember when they could get 3 and 4 jobs and when everyone in their home who wanted a job could get one. This is what the IMF meant when it said in 2006 that unemployment was at an irreducible minimum. Economists tell me that unemployment today is at record levels. They point out that it is wrong to compare figures from the 1970s with figures today as data was collected differently then and now.

The Chamber of Commerce spoke about the growth of small and mid sized businesses. More people moved into affordable homes than ever before. Construction was booming. People were getting their first home and relying heavily on the incentives given to first home owners.

Now I hear the cries of first home owners who contracted to buy homes relying on the incentives for first home owners and whose hopes were dashed and pockets hit when this government stop reviewed and cancelled the first home owner incentives. They had to pay stamp duty for which they had not budgeted. They did not get any refund when this government reinstated the incentives after the PLP led protests against the government’s mean-spiritedness and lack of compassion.

Yes, the world is experiencing the worst economic times since the great depression. The people with whom I spoke were aware of that S&P said that Bahamians would not be suffering so much if the FNM had not SRC $80 Million worth of capital works.

Bahamians feel trapped. They feel like they are between a rock and a hard place. No one grudges other people getting ahead. The problem is when others always get a piece of the pie and me and mine get crumbs or worse, none of the pie.

The people with whom I spoke do want 21^st century infrastructure in The Bahamas. However, they want people’s dreams to be respected and for Bahamians to be given every chance to fulfill their hopes and dreams.

Mother Rolle is concerned about the lack of compassion shown the Bahamian police officers who after giving more than 30 years of honourable and noble service, putting their lives on the line, got from this government 48h notice to go home. Not one thank you. No farewell party. Nonothing.

Papa Smith is concerned about the lack of compassion shown to the Bahamian young people, the only breadwinner in their family, whose contracts were terminated at the Registrar General’s Department.

Uncle Lou is concerned about the lack of compassion shown to the hundreds of Bahamian public servants at customs and immigration and elsewhere who were terminated and downsized.

Aunt Mary is concerned about the increasing cost of living. Before these Bahamians were terminated, did anyone in the government think about how these Bahamians will manage to pay their bills in the worst economy since the depression? How will they get their electricity and water turned back on with no hope of a job?

Mrs. Jones is in debt. She is the sole breadwinner in her family. In order to keep her head about water, she had to move her children to government school because government cut the subvention to private schools. She knows that she and her children will have to repay the money that government is borrowing. Since she and her children have to repay the money she wonders whether better, wiser and more compassionate choice would have been for government to borrow to keep her cousin Mr. Ferguson employed in the department of immigration rather than giving an Argentinean contractor a multi million dollar road contract. Mr. Ferguson was the soel breadwinner in his family. If she had a say in what she’d like to invest in (since she has to repay) she’d rather invest in Mr. Ferguson so he could pay his mortgage, light bill, grocery bill and keep his sons off the street.

Mr. Ferguson is depressed. He is a good Bahamian man who wants to do the right thing by his family. Mr. Jones would not choose to invest in a new port or harbour dredging at this time. At this time she’d like to see compassionate choices for Bahamians. She wants to see all the Mr. Fergusons and their children be sure of a roof over their heads.

I am not going to talk about the suicide figures that the government tabled the other day. All that I will say is that I got a call from a psychiatrist who told me that those figures are “meaningless”. He said that all practitioners are seeing more depressed people than ever before and more attempted suicides than ever before. He also said that lack of financial security and a feeling of helplessness are major factors in depression, suicide and attempted suicide. Too many Bahamians are feeling helpless and that their dreams have been dashed to the ground.

At this time, Mrs. Jones would rather invest in Bahamian people, not things. She says that is the choice that a compassionate government ought to make.

Mrs. Jones’ cousin Suzie was a business owner on Market St. Cousin Suzie mortgaged her house to support her business. The business was doing well. She was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Her daughter, who she sent away to school, worked in the business. Her son is away in school. He had a government education loan. Suzie got a serious blow when government stopped the education loan project and her son’s loan. Luckily, the business was able to afford the payment of his school fees. He only had 2 more years to go. Suzie’s business is now closed down because of the Market St. road works. She had 20 employees. They are out of work. Suzie’s family and 20 other Bahamian families feel like their dreams have been trampled upon. This is a pattern of FNM behavior. It stinks.

Mr. Thompson whose Bahamian business is on Blue Hill Rd. is now also closed down. His brother and sister Ricardo and Jane own a heavy equipment company. Under the PLP road contracts were given to Bahamians. Rather than “no Bahamian need apply”, they knew that “only Bahamians need apply”. Ricardo and Jane and all of us have to repay the loan for the road works. The people I spoke to would rather see Ricardo and Jane and other Bahamians get those road contracts. The money would stay in The Bahamas and would support Bahamian businesses and families. The business people on Market St. and Blue Hill Rd. believe that Bahamian contractors would never dig up the whole Island at once.

They are very concerned about the aggressive moves against the business owners on Prince Charles Dr. They and all businesses are catching hell. They have to pay increased business licence fees and electricity rates. The cost of licensing and inspecting their cars and heavy equipment has gone up. The cost of diesel and gas has skyrocketed. They are struggling to save their homes from foreclosure. Their children are in public school and no longer in private school.

Ricardo is also further financially challenged because his wife Molly is ill. She was laid off and she no longer had medical insurance. They have to organize a cook out to pay her medical expenses.

These scenarios are the reality for far too many Bahamians today.

I shall never forget speaking with some teenagers in one of the homes that I visited. That family encouraged their children to save money for themselves and some to buy gifts, toiletries, clothes etc. for to less fortunate children. Those teen challenged me to explain how I could “sit there and allow government to cut back aid to the Ranfurly home and other charities. They did not particularly want to hear about how government works. All they knew was “all of you giving contracts to foreigners and hiring foreigners. Bahamians and young people and vulnerable people in Ranfurly Homes don’t even have a chance. That ain’t right.”

I agree with them.

It stinks.

We live in a Bahamas where people wonder whether it is better in The Bahamas for Bahamians. It appears that government is leading the way in trampling on Bahamian hopes and dreams. It appears that the government has no commitment to nor compassion for Bahamians. The major capital works have been given to non Bahamian companies when there are Bahamians clearly qualified to carry out these works. Bahamian contractors complain that there is not a level playing field. U.S. and other foreign contractors get their government’s support in terms of subsidized performance bonds.

The government appointed a foreign DPP on different terms than the same job was advertised to Bahamians. There are over 1,000 Bahamian lawyers.

The government hired a non Bahamian Director of Works. There are scores of Bahamian engineers.

The government apparently hired a foreign CEO for URCA and a foreign HR advisor. I say apparently because the government has given a directive to URCA, a so called independent body about how to hire.

The sad state of affairs is that a Bahamas that needs every Bahamian hand on deck is experiencing brain drain. Bahamians are planning not to come home after qualifying. Their hopes and dreams have been dashed.

Have you heard the cries of the Bahamians in Exuma? Today there are non Bahamian waiters working in Exuma! Bahamians are working 2 days or not at all. They are struggling to pay their bills. They are crying out to the government to implement the Bahamianization policy. How can there be foreign waiters working in The Bahamas while Bahamian waiters have no jobs? Bahamians are on the outside looking in. Their dreams have been trampled upon. It stinks.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Studies have been done to show that the sports fishing business can bring $500 Million annually to The Bahamas. Fishing lodges, fishing guides, bird watching, flora and fauna identification, fishing tackle, the flies used as bait, and so forth are all areas for Bahamian entrepreneurs and employees. Ecotourism requires protection of the environment and very significantly, it is sustainable tourism. As the Minister of Tourism has said many times in this place, tourists pay big dollars for an ecotourism experience. This is a growing market. Opportunities abound for Bahamian entrepreneurs.

What is the record of this government on the environment? It is a record of destruction and taking care of special interests at the expense of Bahamian interests. It stinks.

Let me first take you to the matter of dredging without a permit in Lyford Cay. In December I asked that the entire file on this matter should be tabled in the Senate so that Bahamians could have access to the file and determine for themselves the truth about this matter that Mr. Pierre Dupuch said stinks. I agree with Mr. Dupuch.

Unapproved dredging, which was possibly unlawful was done in Lyford Cay. I am advised that this dredging affected the reefs at Goulding Cay and the reefs in the protected area of Clifton Cay. These reefs provide significant income for small entrepreneurs. These reefs have for generations provided many fun filled memories for Bahamian families. The PLP did not approved the dredging. The dredging was done in February 2007. I am advised that the FNM had to regularize the permit to dredge. Special interests taken care of and Bahamian dreams dashed. This is a pattern of FNM behavior. AS Mr. Dupuch says, “I smell a rat”. It stinks. I again call for this file to be tabled. Let Bahamians see for themselves.

Now let’s look at the Kamalame Cay development.

Environmentalists say that 70% of The Bahamas’ marine life is hatched in the creeks of Andros and the reefs off Andros.

Environmentalists say that there has been unchecked dredging and construction of a marina at Kamalame Cay, Central Andros which is at the mouth of one of the inlet cuts to one of the most active marine nurseries in this hemisphere.

Apparently no permit was issued for this dredging. These are the pictures of this dredging that I previously showed in this place.

Environmentalists and fishing guides say that dredging destroyed the mangroves and the nurseries.

Apparently special interests well connected with the FNM are conducting illegal activity in a protected area. We hear nothing from the government and nothing from the special interests in the National Trust.

This is a matter affecting The Bahamas’ food security. It also affects the small business man in Andros. And it tramples upon the hopes of young Bahamians who wish to participate in sustainable development.

It is part the usual FNM MO of dashing Bahamian dreams and cozying up to special interests at the expense of the small man and cozying up to special interests while trampling on the our hope for our children to have a bright future in their own country.

It stinks.

Now let’s look at Bell Island. It is in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. This National Park was created in 1959.

In 1968 Bell Island and the Exuma Land and Sea Park was made a Reserve for the Protection of Wild Birds.

I have been advised that in the past when people tried to develop Bell Island the National Trust refused their application. Apparently, this application was approved after the developer paid the national trust $1M.

Mr. Dupuch and others have asked questions about this too. Listen to what Pierre Dupuch says about the Development at Bell Island.

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:05:35 -0500
Subject: Desecration of Exuma Park
From: pierrevldupuch@gmail.com
To: allysongibson@hotmail.com

By Pierre V.L. Dupuch
November 17, 1010

Desecration of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park!

"We certainly do not agree with those who are calling on the government or the BNT to trap people into owning valuable and highly taxed land but not allow them reasonable access and use" - Bahamas National Trust.

Those were the words of wisdom uttered by the Bahamas National Trust in answer to public objections to permission granted by Minister Earl Deveaux, the Minister of Environmental Destruction, for the desecration of the Exuma Land and Sea Park. When I read them my mind flashed back fifty eight years to a banner which was hung on the wall in the back of my high school's classroom which read: "It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt."

Everyone agrees that neither the government nor the Bahamas National Trust, or anyone else for that matter, should "trap people into owning valuable and highly taxed land ..."

In this case, who trapped whom into Bell Island? The real estate agent - did he not tell the buyer of Bell Island about the restrictions on the Island and the Exuma Land and Sea Park? I doubt it. Was it the people at the Bahamas National Trust who failed to advise the buyer? After all, they had to give their approval for the sale of the land. I doubt it. Or, alas, did the Government, who had to give permission for a foreigner to purchase the land, not tell the purchaser of the restrictions?

After all, the Exuma Land and Sea Park did not just spring up from nowhere. If the folks at the Bahamas National Trust would care to read the act, the coordinates of the Sea Park were made law in 1959.

Forgetting the saying "buyers beware," the sale of Bell Island was not just a land deal where only the real estate company and the buyer was involved. Four entities had to be involved in the sale of Bell Island - the buyer, the real estate broker, the government and the Bahamas National Trust. I cannot believe that at least one of those entities did not advise the buyer that there were restrictions.

I believe he was advised by all three local entities. Many years ago I bought land in Gleniston Gardens. I was told before I bought it that there were certain restrictions. It was at that point that I had to decide whether or not the restrictions were acceptable to me. It was at that point I could have said "yes or no" to the purchase. These restrictions were placed on it by the developer. The restrictions placed on Bell Island and the Exuma Land and Sea Park were placed there by LAW.

In my last comment about Bell Island and the Exuma Land and Sea Park I said that Mrs. Lynn Holowesko was President of the Bahamas National Trust when the Exuma Land and Sea Park was established. I was wrong. The Sea Park was established in 1959 when Mrs. Holowesko was still in school. For this I apologize. She was, however, President of the BNT from 1976 to 1982 and again from 1984 to 1991. During her terms as President the restrictions about taking ones catch from the Park were rigorously enforced, and as President she was a staunch defender of the Land and Sea Park regulations.

Several days ago, Mr. Brensil Rolle said that the Park should be "managed" better. What is he talking about? A warden is already there and arrests anybody fishing in the Park. Unfortunately, the warden doesn't police helicopters flying overhead apparently making arrangements, in my opinion, to rape the park. It is best that Mr. Rolle keep his mouth shut!!!

During the course of these articles, someone wrote to say that the "little man" was not worried about what reef was being destroyed, or lionfish, or sea cucumbers being taken from the sea bed; the "little man" was worried about where the next job was coming from. He was right and he was wrong. In the short run he was right. His first responsibility is to feed his family. But his responsibility does not stop there; he must help decide where the children yet unborn, when we're six feet under and pushing lilies, are going to find employment to feed their families.

If we allow developers to destroy our most valuable asset now, which could provide for our yet unborn children, we will have failed in our second responsibility and that is to leave this a better, more productive place than we found it.

The Exuma Land and Sea Park is a valuable asset. It could provide employment for generations to come. Its asset is beauty that can be packaged and sold many times over and remain to be sold again. There are only two such assets in the world and beauty is one of them.

To say that dredging over four areas of land, fifteen feet deep, will not cause damage to the surrounding reef, change the flow of water in the area and cause erosion is utter hogwash!!!! And the Minister knows it.

Reasonable access? I am told that Bell Island is on the edge of the park and that there is deep water on the other side. Is that not reasonable access?

Or, is access and use not really the story here? Several years ago I was told that strip mining rock on these islands could be a multi billion dollar business. I was told that there was a company which will ... or already has ... made application to mine rock here under the "guise" of tourism development. Rock mined from fresh water is even more valuable. I understand further that applications have been made to mine areas of fresh water in Andros and opening them to the sea, thus destroying fresh water lenses in Andros.

When you strip mine there is nothing left but a hole. Do we want to leave our grand children an empty hole, a hole of despair?

This whole sordid affair begs a number of questions:
1. Who was the public relations person or firm on the payroll of the Bahamas National Trust when this "deal" at Bell Island and the Exuma Sea Park was made?
2. What is the name or names of the companies doing the dredging at Bell Island and the Exuma Sea Park?
3. Who are the owners (front room and back room) of these dredging companies?
4. Where does the rock dredged from these sites go?
5. How many permits have been applied for and how many granted to do this kind of mining in The Bahamas?
6. Does the government benefit financially from any of this?
7. Name the islands and the locations on the islands that have already or are in the process of being mined.
8. Who commissioned the environmental impact study of the Park and who paid for it?

I still smell a rat!!

My advice to Mr. Eric Carey at the Bahamas National Trust is: Dont be the fall guy ... just duck!!

By the way, what's happened to all these investigative reporters running around here? Are they too busy looking through keyholes, finding out who's sleeping with whom, or who's picking up whom in dark alleys?

Just asking.

You heard me last week play in this place the voice of the Minister of the Environment. The Minister for the Environment participated in Island FM’s show the Morning Boil on 15^th September, 2010, where he said “We received this application from the Bell Island people for the dredging of a marina in what was essentially a dry, what they call a relic pond. There was no vegetation in the pond. It had been closed over by nature.”

The EIA itself makes it clear that in the Land and Sea Park and in the protected reserve:

· Dredging will take place in several areas

· There is to be a marina to accommodate 20 slips for vessels up to 50+ metres in length [this is over 150 feet]

· There will be another area on which will be constricted concrete docks up to 100 feet

· breakwaters will be installed

· new roads will be installed

· about 15 acres will dredged

This is not a residential project. This is clearly a commercial project.

You have seen the pond. It is not dry. It has water in it.

You can go on line and see the EIA.

The EIA makes it clear that the pond has water in it.

The “report” tabled by the Leader of government business in this place is an extract from the EIA. The document makes it clear that there is ONE pond at Bell Island. It refers to “THE” pond.

Now what is interesting is that the National Trust has not denied that it received $1 Million from the Bell Island Developer in 2010.

I am advised that in August 2010 the Best Commission raised concerns about the EIA. It It wanted the developer to hire a marine biologist who has some familiarity and knowledge of the Park. The reason for that need is to have such a person “…advise whether the habitat is a rare and unique occurrence, whether the habitat is easily replicable in other parts of the national park and whether it is practical to relocate conch prior to any dredging.”. Apparently the question relates to reefs that contain “…the oldest and rarest living creatures that hold evidence of life on earth.”.

I am also advised that there is a letter dated 10^th August, 2010 signed by the Minister for the Environment and addressed to the President of the BNT where he, appears to have taken the position that the BNT that had no power to refuse any aspect of the proposed development of Discovery. He personally wrote to them. Not the PS or the Director, the Minister. He made it clear in that letter at paragraph 2, that he has caused all of the relevant departments of his Ministry to agree “…to issue approval for the work…” being proposed for this project.

It is clear that the government intended as early as August 2010 to approve this project. The Minister was personally involved, not his technical team. It is clear that the government and the National Trust knew that this was a 20 slip marina; major dredging (15 acres) [to put this in perspewctive, I am told that 15 acres is about half the size of Lake Cuningham] and it also comprised breakwaters, 100 foot concrete docks etc. All this in a no take zone. If a Bahamian catches a fish to eat he could be prosecuted. The same government who, I am advised, has pursued Bahamians in the past when they we trying to make a living using the National Park’s resources, now agrees that a developer who has paid $1 Million can destroy the National Park. The Park that has been sitting there since 1the 1950s. Destroying the wild bird habitat that has been protected since 1968. Like Pierre Dupuch, I smell a rat. It stinks.

I am advised that over 300 Exumians have signed a petition against the development. They live in Exuma. They are concerned about their future and their children’s future. They and their concerns have been ignored in favour of special interests.

In the face of the opposition to the development, the fact that the National Trust in the past has apparently refused development at Bell Island [Bell Island is in the National Land and Sea Park and is a reserve for wild birds], and in the face of the donation of $1 Million by the developer, the Minister seems to be directing his team to approve the project even though they have questions that seem not to have been answered. Further, the National Trust appears to have been influenced by the donation of $1 Million. It stinks.

Do you think that anyone in Egypt would let a developer dredge around the pyramids?

Heavens knows how the developer got permission to have a helipad in the middle of a wild bird reserve. Building that helipad seems to be an offence against the Act. Approving that helipad seems to be an offence against the Act. It stinks.

It is shocking that the FNM labels people who have permission to demonstrate criminals while they conspire and collude in the commission of what may be an offence under the Wild Birds Protection Act!

How could 15 acres of dredging not impact this pristine area with rare formations? I am told that inherently, dredging and excavation severely disturbs or destroys the natural habitat of living creatures of the sea, land and air. The EIA itself refers to a turtle nesting habitat in Bell Island. In the Exuma National Land and Sea Park, there is The Bahama Duck, the Hutia and there are stromatolite reef-forming algae and stromatolite reefs which are considered “…the oldest and rarest living creatures that hold evidence of life on earth.”.

The dreams of Exumians are being trampled upon. No one is listening to those people who signed the Petition. Their lives and their livelihoods are being adversely impacted, just like the people on Market St., Blue Hill Rd., and Prince Charles Dr. It appears that by paying $1 Million to the National Trust and by giving key government high ups a few helicopter rides, the developer got the National Trust and the government to ignore their obligation to protect the park and the wild bird reserve, ignore the BEST Commission and trample upon the hopes and dreams of Bahamians who look to the National Park for sustainable development.

This matter does not pass the smell test.

It stinks.

The entire file of this matter should be tabled in this place. Let Bahamians see for themselves how we and our heritage are being sold by the National Trust and the government.

When the developer bought the land, he knew that he was buying land in the National Land and Sea Park and that is a Reserve for wild birds.

Like others have, I could ask, how dare he think that he can come to The Bahamas and for $1 Million buy our children’s heritage?

Today I want to remind everyone here of our obligation to generations yet unborn. In the 1950s our forefathers created the National Trust and the National Park. In the 1960s our forefathers created the Reserve for birds. Bell Island is a part of that reserve.

Our forefathers had the foresight to understand the need to protect at least some of this tremendously magnificent, glorious and beautiful country for generations yet unborn.

A major part of the future of tourism in The Bahamas is ecotourism. Why would we destroy the future? We have all been to Exuma. Just flying over and looking at that water transports any person to understand and feel God’s glory.

Mt 7:7-12

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”

Please Senators, I ask you today, do not give our children and grandchildren a stone and do not give them a snake.

I think that as responsible citizens, all in this place ought to call for no dredging to take place until all files have been tabled and the matter fully investigated right here in the people’s Parliament. The entire matter stinks. Government selling the birthright of future generations of Bahamians for $1 Million stinks.

NEED TO COMBAT CRIME AND THE FEAR OF CRIME

The FNM has presided over unprecedent levels of crime. Last year we had another record level of murders – 99.

We need rapid response to crime…S&P says that The Bahamas has the second-highest growth rate in the number of murders per population after Antigua and Barbuda. We need SWIFT justice…the SJ plan was another victim of the SRC policy

In 2006 I said:

“The swift justice program begins as a pilot project of 20 cases that promote ‘integrated justice.’ ‘Integrated justice’ facilitates collaboration between the institutions and agencies within the justice system including probation, the police, the courts, the prison and of course the Attorney General’s Office. Indeed, we have decided to extend this concept to include family of victims. Representatives from families who are living through the nightmare of horrific crimes sit on the swift justice advisory committee. There are some critical benefits for transformation with the integrated swift justice program.

1. It helps strengthens the team spirit. Representatives from each of the partnership agencies will meet with the Attorney General regularly to ensure improved communication and effective implementation of plans and responsibilities.

2. The integrated Swift Justice program facilitates accountability. Our team will be well positioned to proactively identify and respond to the lack of performance or weaknesses in the system. Discipline and incentive must be given to the internal and external customer. In other words, efficiency is required for effective stewardship of the justice system. Knowing and following the rules is the responsibility of the employee and the public.

Swift justice is a criterion for continued and sustained growth and development. It is a principle that is as old as mankind. The consequence of the ineffective delivery of justice is increased crime. The Bible which constitutionally guides our national policies warns us that when “ Justice is not swift, wickedness grows in the hearts of men.” We cannot afford to allow a perception to take root that the justice system can be easily undermined. The Bahamas is our country and we are all responsible for protecting and preserving our legacy. Our teams in these agencies represent the coalition of the willing. The coalition of the willing must also include every Bahamian, every resident, every positive contributor to our growth and development to be upholders of justice.”

This statement is equally applicable in 2011.

No matter what the FNM says the fact is that SJ was working.

For 2 successive sessions, no matter dropped off the court calendar for reasons in the control of the prosecution e.g attendance of witnesses. The record will show that one matter came on for trial within one year. The preliminary enquiry and the trial, all took place in one year! SJ was working. It was SRC by the FNM.

Under the FNM criminals have become bolder. The people who broke into the Courts have not yet been brought to trial. Criminals know that the FNM has no serious anti crime agenda.

Remember that under the FNM we had 4 attorney generals in 3 years! Playing Musical chairs does not show that they’re serious about crime.

I have been advised that matters are routinely dropping out of the calendar now; routinely witnesses are not turning up and forensic evidence is not available; and, that for one 18 month period there were only 10 murder trials!

All of the following anti crime projects were the victim of the FNM SRC policy. We will reimplement them:

Community courts

This is what was said in 2006 after consultation with the Chief Justice: “ The Government is pleased to say that Community Courts will be established in the East/North-eastern and South/Southern Districts of New Providence. Community Elders such as JPs will be invited to serve. This will be an opportunity for award winning Urban Renewal Programme to be extended to Swift Justice within communities. Members will recall that in my contribution on the Police Act I gave a definition of Community Policing… “Community policing is a philosophy and an organizational strategy that promotes a new partnership between people and their police. It is based on the premise that both the police and the community must work together to identify, prioritise and solve contemporary problems such as crime, drugs, fear of crime, social and physical disorder, and overall neighbourhood decay, with the goal of improving the overall quality of life in the area.” Book…Community Policing: How to Get Started. Authors: Torjanowick and Bucqueroux Publishers: Anderson Publishing Co. Edition: 1998.

Community Courts are based on the principle that it takes a village to raise a child. Community elders who hear complaints in relation to matters such as graffiti and other similar offences will be able to immediately deal with “…social and physical disorder, and overall neighbourhood decay, with the goal of improving the overall quality of life in the area.”

Urban renewal is about community building. Community Courts is about Community Building. Community building by the community...improving the overall quality of life in the area. An example of what the community court might do is mandate that a young person who painted a wall with graffiti might be ordered remove the graffiti by repainting the wall immediately. We shall count on the support the Bar in the implementation of these courts.”

This approach was attractive because other than in the most exceptional circumstances, persons would pass through this system without a criminal record.

This vision was discussed with stakeholders. They were on board. Money was allocated. As I said earlier, people said, “why didn’t you tell us?”.

Traffic courts

These plans were also stopped by the FNM and will be reinstated:

I also said in 2006:

Quite apart from the unacceptable number of deaths from traffic matters, which my colleague the Minister of Transport will address, the number of traffic cases in the Magistrates Court contributes significantly to the backlog and hinders the ability of Magistrates to swiftly deal with other matters. A decision has been taken to appoint Lay Magistrates specifically to deal with minor traffic matters, such as speeding, running red lights and parking offences. A Committee comprising the Judiciary, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance and OAG will advise on its effective implementation.

I want to indicate the following:

· there will be courts specifically allocated to deal with these matters;

· if persons choose trial rather than payment of a fine, the trial will commence within weeks; not months or years;

· Magistrates will be asked to fully implement the law in terms of suspension of licences pending payment of fines and increase of penalty in the event that a person who pleads not guilty is at the end of the trial found guilty of the offence; and,

· there will be a computer link to Road Traffic so that persons who have not paid their fines will not be able to obtain a drivers licence while payment remains outstanding.

· As the Chief Justice has already indicated, if we are able to remove minor matters such as graffiti offences to Community Courts and minor traffic matters to Lay Magistrates, Magisterial time will be freed up to enable them to deal swiftly with other pressing and more serious matters before the courts.”

This vision had the support of stakeholders. Money had been allocated. The court space had been approved by the Chief Justice. Stakeholders were thrilled with removing from the S&C Magistrates’ backlog graffiti and other similar offences and traffic offences. In this way they could focus on more serious offences. They were also pleased with the compassion evident in giving young Bahamians a second chance – no criminal record.

Urban Renewal

Investment in investigation and preparation for trial

o Proper records keeping (investigation)

o Proper exhibits keeping

o The BIGIS system

Court Reporters and Digital Recording

A pilot project was conducted with the permission of the Chief Justice. The recommendations were shelved.

A list of sexual offenders

I have always and still do support a publicly available list of sexual offenders. People are charged in public. This information is publicly available.

o Child molestation up

o We MUST protect our children

o Parents have a right to know and as a part of parental responsibility ought to be encouraged to find out whether sexual offenders are in day care centres, preschools, primary schools etc

Now they’ll say why didn’t you do it?

We did do it.

We completed the process for Community Courts and Traffic Courts and allocated the money to implement. The FNM stopped it and now we are suffering.

Special interests get to sell a building for Courts and do repairs. The small man gets his children gunned down in school because the FNM cancelled UR and school policing.

SHORT SIGHTEDNESS OF FNM

Our people are our greatest asset. I admire the hard working public servants. It pains me to see them not being paid their overtime and not being allocated the much needed resources that they need to maximize productivity. At Arawak Cay the government has seen to it that special interests have computer internet lines in the government building but public servants have none, even though they have been begging for internet access and new computers to maximize productivity.

When I look at Bahamian leaders like COP Greenslade; Commodore Bowe; Director Jack Thompson; Director Glen Gomez; Director Philip Turner; and Director McNeil, I see good Bahamian men with a vision. I believe that they are being hampered and impeded by political interference.

I have heard their team members ask whether it is better in The Bahamas for Bahamians. It is disgraceful that they all do not have sufficient resources. Not enough computers and other equipment. You should see the physical conditions under which these stressed out Bahamians ae working.

I believe that each of these agencies should be an independent agency and these Directors should be able to manage their own resources without interference from the political directorate. I know that our money would be better spent and invested. They would allocate resources properly to support their teams while achieving their agency’s objectives.

Their team members are the people across The Bahamas who are catching hell. Even so, they turn up to work every day and work hard even though they are under resourced. Why should they be forced to repay loans that the government borrows for a dock while they can’t even get a computer at their desk? Why should they struggle to keep their heads above water and suffer a moratorium on salary increases while special interests, including Argentinean contractors get taken care of?

As I spoke to Bahamians I heard that land is a real issue. When I was the Attorney General I was disturbed by the number of people whose land had been compulsorily acquired and who had not been paid for their land. Some files were more than 20 years old! Land in our culture is a very valuable resource. People save and make monthly payments on land so they can leave something for their children and grandchildren. These people are wondering how is it that the government announces that it will negotiate with FNM special interests to buy their land on one hand. On the other hand, without compassion, they simply take land over the hill and don’t pay for it.

It stinks.

All of us want One Bahamas.

We do not expect to see our government leading the way in discrimination against Bahamians.

Did you hear them laughing at the idea of a Port Development in the Southern Bahamas? Did you know that in the 19^th century Crooked Island was more populated than New Providence? This was did to commerce provided by the vibrant shipping lanes.

Isn’t it sad that in the 21^st century our government is laughing at and trampling upon and limiting dreams of a better Bahamas for Bahamians.

Why is it good to have a sea and land Port Area in the Northern Bahamas but not in the Southern Bahamas?

The government SRC in Mayaguana an asphalt plant, a rock crushing plant and a concrete plant.

Why can’t the Mayaguanans compete with FNM special interests by selling asphalt in the Southern Bahamas?

Why can’t Mayaguanans compete with FNM special interests by selling aggregate in the Southern Bahamas?

Why can’t Mayaguanans compete with FNM special interests by conducting inter Island transport in the Southern Bahamas?

This budget does not help Mother Rolle, Papa Smith, Uncle Lou, Aunt Mary, Mrs. Jones, Mr. Ferguson, Cousin Suzie, Mr. Thompson, Ricardo, Jane, the children at the Ranfurly Homes and others whose subvention was unceremoniously cut. It does not even help public servants who want to work better and smarter. It is a special interests budget. It stinks.

For these reasons I cannot support it.

FURTHER REFERENCE NOTES IF NECESSARY

Compare Mayaguana and Freeport

FNM SRC Mayaguana:

· Mayaguanans unemployed

· Families torn apart

· S Bahamas needs to import from Nassau

o Asphalt

o Aggregate

o Concrete

· And pay for transport from Nassau.

· FNM special interests own asphalt, aggregate and concrete

· Is this the real reason for the SRC

The facts, based upon documents already tabled are:

· The PLP did NOT approve a permit for Louis Bacon to dredge. In 2006 Minister Bethel says that he did not approve the permit. He was not going to ratify work already done. I repeat what he said “This request was immediately and unequivocally turned down by me because I was not prepared to validate any action that did not follow the necessary process.”

· Ministers Roberts says he did not approve a permit to dredge.

· There appears to be some confusion surrounding the permit dated 2006 that was tabled by Minister Foulkes.

· The 2006 permit was for one year.

· The dredging by Bacon was done in 2007.

· Environmentalists are concerned that the dredging impacted the reefs at Goulding Cay and at Clifton.

· Something here is fishy. Something here is not right.

· As Mr. Dupuch said in the email dated 18^th November 2010, that I previously tabled in this place, “I smell a rat”.

· The matters touching and surrounding this permit ought to be tabled here in the Senate.

o Dredging in 2007

o Not ratified in 2007 by Minister Marcus Bethel

o Approved at some point POST May 2007 by FNM

o Permit dated December 2006

· The Bahamian people have a right to an explanation about this.

· We call for ALL documents touching and surrounding this to be tabled so that Bahamians can make up their own minds about what went down in relation to this permit.

· It does not pass the smell test. It stinks.

It is part the usual FNM MO of cozying up to special interests at the expense of the small man and cozying up to special interests while trampling on the our hope for our children to have a bright future in their own country.