Ingraham: Christie Betrayed Bahamians
By Quincy Parker -
Nassau, Bahamas:

The Free National Movement has served notice: during the next 21 days, FNM leader Hubert Ingraham said the party would demonstrate how the Christie Administration has betrayed the Bahamian people during the last five years.

During a rally at Clifford Park last night, Mr. Ingraham excoriated the Christie PLP for what he termed its "late again record."

Mr. Ingraham blasted the PLP for supposedly being late with concluding the agreement with Baha Mar, the opening of schools, getting new police vehicles, building new schools, completing promotions in the disciplined forces, and keeping a promise to pass boundary changes six months before a general election, among other things.

Mr. Ingraham savaged the PLP for – in his words – failing to empower Bahamians in their own economy.

"Five years later they have handed over thousands of acres of Crown Land to foreigners for residential developments for more foreigners. Five years later, deserving Bahamians are still waiting in that long Perry Christie line to have their applications for Crown Land processed," he said.

"Five years later, our environment is under assault and wetlands are being filled in to make way for golf courses and homes for foreigners."

Mr. Ingraham promised that the FNM would address the government’s "reckless development strategy," which he charged is "making it increasingly difficult for Bahamians to acquire and retain ownership of prime residential and commercial property."

"That is why when we are returned to office, your FNM will act to protect our citizens’ access to land by discontinuing the present government’s practice of the sale of publicly-owned land to non-Bahamians for onward sale to other non-Bahamians for residential purposes," Mr. Ingraham said.

He said the FNM would also make Crown Land available to Bahamians at concessionary rates for home construction and industry, including resort development and adopt policies to encourage and support efforts by Bahamians to retain or acquire prime residential and commercial properties.

Mr. Ingraham also laid out more of the FNM’s policy agenda.

He touted a new business empowerment programme for young people called the "Self Starters Initiative."

"It’s designed to empower young people seeking to establish themselves or expand small businesses. The programme will assist with funding for equipment and supplies," he said.

"The Self Starters Network will offer business seminars, online research facilities, access to business counselors and direct training links to the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the College of The Bahamas."

"Available online," he added, "this programme will reach Family Island students in their home islands and disabled young persons in their homes."

The FNM, he said, would circulate "Constituency Platforms" beginning this weekend – the documents are intended to present summaries of the FNM’s plans to address some of the most important issues of concern to constituents.

He also took a shot at the PLP over the perception that the PLP may have supposedly cut deals with certain MPs not to run against them.

"We made no deals: we engaged no hatchet men. We ignored none of our supporters," he said. "We are running everywhere. We are FNMs. We are proud to run on our party’s ticket. We are not hiding behind anyone else’s trouser legs. We have no FNMs parading as independents."

Mr. Ingraham said the Manifesto 2007 is in its final stages of preparation.

The former prime minister also scornfully slammed the recent poll results done by international pollsters showing the PLP with 60 percent of the electorate voting for them.

"The PLP have taken to manufacturing poll results," he said. "They’ve come to believe that if they keep repeating their lies someone may come to believe them. They say they have 60 percent of the support, but they must mean 60 percent of PLPs because plenty PLPs are fed up with them. This time, plenty PLPs are going to vote FNM."

12 April 2007