PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)
 

Ingraham forgets his record and continues to spread mistruths

It is amazing and highly ironic that the FNM is running a campaign that is anti-"International Persons Landholding Act" (IPLA), which was the centerpiece of their economic policy. They are now decrying the sale of Bahamian land to foreigners. The FNM is clearly ashamed of their record.

It was nothing short of sheer hypocrisy for Hubert Ingraham, of all persons, to criticize the PLP on the issue of crown land in light of the land policy of the FNM. The public record will show and confirm that the FNM sold the choicest and best land to foreigners when it had been leased previously under the first PLP administration. The parcels of land on which the former Ambassador Beach Hotel (now Breezes), Le Meridian Royal Bahamian Hotel (now Sandals), the Four Seasons in Exuma, Atlantic Beach Hotel (now Our Lucaya) and Grand Bahama Beach Hotel (now Our Lucaya), were sold by Hubert Ingraham and the FNM at fire sale prices. These totaled thousands of acres and Hubert Ingraham and the FNM parceled them off to foreigners without once considering whether it was in the best interests of the future of The Bahamas and the Bahamian people.

During his “rally” speech on Thursday past (29th March, 2007), Ingraham claimed that during the FNM's first term in office, unemployment was reduced to 9.8% from 14.8%; this is not true. The record will reflect that unemployment was reduced to 11.5% between 1992 and 1997. In fact, unemployment did not drop to 9.8% until December 1998, well into the FNM's second term in office. The PLP, by contrast, facilitated the reduction of unemployment from 9.1% to 7.6% in less than 5 years. This was before the government lifted the freeze on hiring and before Atlantis started hiring for its third phase.

Unemployment now has to be at its lowest level in 25 years at conservatively 6.6%; and in some circles many agree that the rate has dropped to the point where there is full employment in New Providence. This was achieved in our first term. There is absolutely no comparison with the performance of the PLP and the FNM in this regard. Our first term by far brought more direct benefits to the Bahamian people than what was achieved by the FNM after their first term in 1997.

Mr. Ingraham also indicated that under the current PLP, the actual investment attracted to The Bahamas amounts to $2.5 billion and the actual amount in the ground is $1.0 billion. The truth is that the amount of foreign direct investment attracted by the PLP between May 2002 to the present totals well in excess of $20 Billion, and some $13.6 billion are at various stages of development, and about $4.0 billion are in the ground.  In fact the Bahamian economy expanded by 20% from $5.0 billion to $6.2 billion in our first term and this fact supports the expansion of the economy. The high levels of external reserves also support this; some $556 million. Mr. Ingraham is obviously confused, he no longer has a grasp for the facts and he remains focused on twisting the truth and distorting the figures all in an attempt to confuse the voter. But the Bahamian people know the truth and Hubert Ingraham will not be allowed to continue spreading mistruths about the government’s performance.

Mr. Ingraham should also note that under this PLP administration several multimillion dollar foreign companies were bought by Bahamians. Shell, British American Insurance and Imperial Life are now owned and controlled by Bahamians. This is a true testament of the faith and confidence that we place in our people. This is directly opposite to the position of the FNM. We need only to recall the Bahamian groups that bided for the Cable license. Mr. Ingraham shamelessly granted the license to a foreign company. He had no faith in the Bahamian people then and still has no faith today.

It was laughable to hear Hubert Ingraham speak about scandals in the PLP. Well, he obviously forgot the scandals that existed during his administration and so he must be reminded about the scandals of the FNM:

1. Frank Watson and the $125,000 worth of bounced checks at the public treasury and the missing $135,000 for a Bahamasair B737 that never materialized. And Mr. Watson’s connection with Dwight Major.

2. Tommy Turnquest and the air-condition contractor who paid over $30,000 for his victory party.

3. Dion Foulkes misuse of public funds in awarding school repair contracts.

4. Brent Symmonette having to resign after awarding a contract to a company in which he had significant financial interests.

5. Earl Deveaux who fast tracked permanent residency permits for Martin Trembly, Derek Turner, Victor Korzeny; and even Hubert Ingraham's son-in-law.

6. Theresa Moxey-Ingraham mishandling of the Cancer Center scandal where more than 40 Bahamians were exposed to excessive doses of chemotherapy.

7. Gregory Williams who was forced to resign as parliamentary secretary after charges of assault were filed with the police by his wife.

8. On the issue of scandal, Carl Bethel, while holding the position of Attorney General, requested a personal intervention by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs to approve several visas for a constituent in the former Holy Cross Constituency. This individual, who purportedly owns a Haitian Vessel, is suspected by the RBPF to be involved in the smuggling of human cargo and is now on the visa stop list. This is most scandalous and it raises the question of Mr. Bethel's fitness for public service and his respect for and commitment to the rule of law. The preponderance of evidence against Mr. Bethel is staggering. Mr. Bethel refuses to clear the air on this by explaining to the Bahamian people the nature and quality of his relationship with this person.
 

Ingraham again claimed credit for Atlantis being in the Bahamas. The truth is that Sun International invested in The Bahamas because of the size of the tourism industry and the country's proximity to the USA. Tourism expenditure exceeded $1.0 billion for the first time in 1986 and never looked back. In 1992, tourism expenditure stood at $1.25 billion. The industry was built by the PLP and Sol Kerzner was in negotiation with the PLP to invest in The Bahamas prior to the 1992 elections, but the Gleneagle's Accord prohibited The Bahamas from doing business with any South African company. Clearly, Sun International is in The Bahamas because it recognizes that our location and the PEOPLE, not Hubert Ingraham, are the best ingredients for a successful business.

Mr. Ingraham’s promise to enforce the immigration laws of The Bahamas is also laughable given his record. Just remember Dereck Turner and others. In fact, it was Hubert Ingraham who told an investor that if his work permit was not approved within 24 hours, then it was deemed to be an automatic approval. That was Ingraham's immigration policy and was in fact a blatant breach of the Law.

It was also wholly hypocritical for Hubert Ingraham to talk about expanding the community policing program. This is shocking given his public comments at a rally in Freeport at which time he called Urban Renewal a farce. Now he is talking about expanding this program. What a hypocrite.

It is the FNM who are going around stealing PLP ideas. Mr. Ingraham attempted to suggest that he would provide access to the beach for Bahamians as part of his land policy. Well the PLP was doing this for the past 5 years. This is clearly a part of the PLP’s land policy and Prime Minister Christie clearly stated this at our launch of the 2007 Candidates on Tuesday evening.

The Bahamian people must now see Hubert Ingraham for truly what he represents. He is uncouth and has no respect for people and their views.

We are satisfied that the Bahamian people know that there is no comparison between the PLP and the FNM. We are Party focused on the people and the transformation of our Islands and economy. The FNM remains stuck in the past and that is why so many Bahamians continue to have confidence in us and our leadership. Our second term is secured; because we intend to continue to move the country forward and not back.
 

…THE END…
 

Issued on Sunday, 1st April, 2007
Raynard Rigby
National Chairman, PLP