Mr. Speaker, decision-making is a part of every person’s life. It is done consciously or sub-consciously on a daily basis. When one has a decision to make based on one’s family, job or group affiliation, a pronouncement is necessary and appropriate.

In making a decision that requires a public pronouncement, the timeless reality that ‘a man’s word is his bond’. In such cases, this pronouncement should not and cannot be reversed, because a man’s word is all he has, and even more so, when others can and will be affected by this decision that is published and circulated extensively.

Mr. Speaker, during the election campaign of 2002, I made the decision and hence the pronouncement that I would only serve in the specific area of public life as a Member of Parliament for an additional two and one half year period. However, at the Prime Minister’s behest, in September of 2004, I was asked to remain in this specific area of public life for an extended period of time because of the vision of The Government for The Bain & Grants Town Constituency and its vision for the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities as set out by The PLP Government.

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister at the recent commissioning of the Blue Hills Reverse Osmosis Plant affirmed that I would not be seeking re-election to The House of Assembly, for what would have been a sixth consecutive term as a Member of Parliament.

It is my hope that in my 25 years as a Member of Parliament, that I have set a standard of consistency and caring for the wonderful constituents that I have served. I also hope that sitting or potential Members of Parliament for the constituencies of The Bahamas will emulate the same.

Mr. Speaker, it is, however, my fervent hope that my pronouncement to honor my decision of retiring as a Member of the House of Assembly would also set a guideline for others to follow, especially when they make a voluntary pronouncement based on a voluntary decision to not seek a specific Public Office again and became the recipient of a most generous retirement package.

Mr. speaker, I rise today perhaps for the last time, as a very proud and grateful person with my head high and I am deeply grateful and thankful to Almighty God for His awesome blessings on the people of The Bahamas. I entered this parliament at the age of 38 as a mature businessman. However, the past five years have been the most challenging and the relatively most hectic in my entire adult life. The achievements of the Christie Government, and as one who has worked untiringly as a part of it, has been, from my perspective, mind boggling and unparallel in the history of the Bahamas.

Mr. Speaker, as I take my leave from this place, I do so knowing that the future of this country, for the next 15 to 20 years, is secured as the foundation has been laid by the Perry G. Christie’s Government and will be the brightest and best in the history of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Those who brazenly speak lies that this PLP Government has not done anything, are desperate and “jonesing” for power and will in my humble opinion be soundly rejected by the Bahamian voters. They told lies on Perry Christie in 2002 and were badly beaten. They continue telling lies again and as the old people would say “when you spit in the wind—it will blow back in your face. Yet they at the same time attempt to sell to the voters that they can be “trusted”.

Mr. Speaker, I first stood for election to the House of Assembly in the then newly recreated constituency of Shirlea in 1977 against the then said to be richest man in the Bahamas, Sir Roland Symonette, former Premier and leader of the United Bahamian Party, the father of the member for Montagu.

At that time Mr. Speaker, I had less than seven weeks to campaign but was able to strongly carry polling division no 5, thanks mainly to the good people of Okra Hill. I also came close in carrying polling division No 4. It was my political baptism but was undaunted by the loss. I fondly remember the father of the modern Bahamas and former Prime Minister of twenty five years,  Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling and former Deputy Prime Minister now Governor General, the Hon. Arthur Dion Hanna and father of the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Glenys Hanna-Martin, coming to lend their support and to cheer me on.

It was ironic, Mr. Speaker, for the then Leader and Deputy Leader of the Party who headed the Candidates’ Committee which did not recommend me to be the party’s candidate for the Shirlea Constituency. My nomination came from the floor of the National General Council.  I received two thirds of the votes versus the nominee of the Candidates’ Committee, the late Realtor Berkley Ferguson; becoming I am advised, the first and only PLP candidate not to have receive the endorsement of the Candidates’ Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I carried the PLP’s banner once again in 1982 and my opponent was the current member for St Margaret, Pierre Valiant Dupuch. It was a clean fight on the issues. I improved by some 275 votes over 1977. Nevertheless it was my second loss and the last loss that I would receive.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Grants Town elected me to represent them in this place in the October by-election following the passing of our brother and friend the late Shadrick A Morris in 1982. It was Dame Marguerite Pindling who encouraged me to seek the nomination. I felt that I would not stand a chance as there were many PLP giants like the Hon. Paul Lawrence Adderley, former MP Philip Donald Pinder and others whose names were also advanced.

Mr. Speaker, I found much favor with the ladies of Grants Town headed by the late branch chairperson, Grace Bullard and the men who endorsed this once barefoot boy from Augusta Street to become their fearless champion. Mr. Speaker, a strong friendship based on mutual love and respect began on October 5th, 1982 and got stronger every year and will continue until death do us part.

I shall always be grateful to Dame Marguerite who saw that this unlettered and grass root man from humble beginnings had the talent and vision to boldly represent the interest and well being of the good people of over the hill including the area where my navel string was buried.

Because of this bond and friendship the people of Grants Town continued to embrace me and re-elected me in 1987-1992-1997-and in 2002 when just over a half of Grants Town was added to a portion of the original Bain Town. I shall forever be grateful to them.

Mr. Speaker, many people ask what has driven me over these many years to set aside an evening a week many nights as late as two a.m. in the mornings to meet with constituents and others from other constituencies. The answer is simple, I believe that I was chosen to serve and help people where ever I can.

It is an honor and profound privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve the people of Bain and Grants Town over these many years. I have established many friendships going back to my days in Shirlea which I shall always treasure. I cannot and shall never forget these good people and shall always be indebted to them as long as life last.
Mr. Speaker, I have been blessed in so many ways, thanks to the people of Bain and Grants Town. No other member of Bain and Grants Town has served for twenty five years without a serious challenge from an opponent. I made a pledge in 1982 to the leader, Sir Lynden Pindling that on demitting office, I would do all in my power to pass the baton on to the next PLP candidate to keep the long standing tradition of maintaining the PLP political supremacy which has existed from the creation of the Grants Town seat which was first won by Sir Arthur Foulkes in 1967.

Mr. Speaker, he was succeeded by Frankly Roosevelt Wilson, who was succeeded by Shadrack A Morris. Mr. Speaker, I have every confidence in the faithfulness and love of the good people of Bain and Grants Town that the bond with the PLP which began in 1967 will continue despite the claims of some that believe they have a divine right.
The members of The Bain & Grants Town branch, in their wisdom, selected and recommended a great Bahamian who grew up in the heart of over the hill, Dr. Bernard J Nottage, to be their standard bearer in the impending General Elections. I strongly encourage my long standing and faithful supporters in the Constituency to warmly embrace Dr. Bernard Nottage as the best man for the job. My brothers and sisters, I can assure you that it will not be about him but about the people, he will provide first class representation for all the people of Bain & Grants Town.

Mr. Speaker, I fondly recall after being sworn in as a member in 1982, the then Speaker, now Sir Clifford Darling, warmly welcomed me and gave me some good advice.  He said the House of Assembly was a slippery place where one can slip in but you can also slip out.  I think what Sir Clifford was saying was that if you represent the people well they would keep on re-electing you and if you did not they would slip you out.  I urge the new comers, and those desirous of entering this place, to heed well the admonition of Sir Clifford Darling, national hero of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas who served the interest of his constituents for twenty five years well and was elevated to the highest office in our land of Governor General.
 
Mr. Speaker, shortly after been sworn him in 1982 I was approached by the then PLP Minister Of Housing & National Insurance Hubert Ingraham who advised that he proposed to recommend my appointment as Chairman of the Housing Commission which I accepted. I quickly discovered the very high level of demand for housing in New Providence and the family islands. After several months of accessing the housing challenges I came to a conclusion that the Government could not resolve the housing needs on its own and need the help of many developers. I therefore requested not to be reappointed to chair the Housing Commission. A group of then young Bahamians in the private sector were encouraged to pool their resources seeking to make a badly needed contribution to the housing needs of our people and went on to become the largest developers of affordable housing in the Bahamas.

Mr. Speaker, during my tenure as a back bencher, from 1982 to 1992, I have also served as Chairman of the Port Authority, Deputy Chairman of the Water & Sewerage Corp, Chairman of the Bahamas Electricity Corp and Chairman of the Gaming Board. During the two term-Governance of the FNM, more particularly in its last term, Bahamians in every nook and cranny became acutely aware of the term ‘Big Bad Brad,’ as that was a name given to me by media personality Steve McKinney. I never particularly cared for that label and in fact never embraced it, but I understood that I was labeled that because of the information that was deposited in my garbage bin on a regular basis which provided me with the opportunity to drop Bomb Shells over and repeatedly.

It started with the Cancer Center on Centerville North where a number of Bahamians lives prematurely departed this world as result of a monster doctor named Mark Harillison. Mr. Speaker, I remember the then Leader of the Opposition and I visiting in hospital a former patient of the monster Doctor Brother Bastian who chest was polymerized as result of treatment at that cancer treatment center.     It then went on to the aborted Bahamasair Aircraft Lease and the never recovered $135,000.00 deposit and the talk by the Maximum Leader of The FNM that he would cut off the hands of the perpetrator of money getting hijacked—something that never happened in my opinion and would never happen when one remembers the then Maximum leader declaration that there was only man here trusted in his Government.

Mr. Speaker, then there was Nassau Airport caper of the Chairman of the Airport Authority and now Member of Parliament giving a company in which he and his brother were ranking shareholders without receiving board approval. Chairman Symonette was forced to resigned but was pardoned by his Maximum leader and is now Deputy Leader of the FNM despite him been caught red handed with his hands in the cookie jar.

Then there was the infamous Long Island Dossier and the incredible response by the then US Ambassador and by the Maximum Leader “that loose lips sink ships” and the four-day delayed response to the question about a Confidential Informant (CI-1622) in The Bahamas being labeled as a Traitor and plying his trade in the midst of a Sovereign Government of The Bahamas.

Mr. Speaker, then there was the infamous award of the contract which simply blatantly ignored the Cabinet Conclusion and was awarded to the Air Conditioning Company of the Minister of Tourism’s choice. The same Company paid for the catering by Atlantis Hotel for food and drinks for a party at the home of the then Leader Elect of the FNM, Tommy T. The Maximum Leader claimed to have investigated this factually documented case and simply concluded in directing Tommy T to pay the monies back. Absolutely in-creditable, yet this same man claims that the people can trust him!!   Mr. Speaker, there was more and still more but time will not allow me to recall and review all of the drama that I initiated during the last term of The FNM Government.

Mr. Speaker, for my relentless pursuit of the truth, I was ‘named’ by your predecessor Rome Italia Johnson and was ejected from this House to join the ranks of notables such as the Late Sir Lynden O Pindling, Sir Milo B Butler and Hon Arthur D Hanna. Yes Mr. Speaker, I was one of the few who were ejected from this Parliament all because I sought after the truth. It would be interesting to find out what your predecessor now thinks of my pursuit for truth as she sits outside the precincts of this Parliament to ponder the meaning of ‘he that knows the right thing to do and does not do it—is guilty of that three letter word s-n.’

Mr. Speaker, during many of my assaults on Hubert Ingraham’s Government the Former Prime Minister would often taunt me, boasting and gloating that I would never get the opportunity to impact the course or direction of the Bahamas; and he did it in such a condescending manner. Mr. Speaker, the God in whom I believe and serve and the Bahamian People, in particular the faithful people of Bain and Grants Town, decided otherwise.

At the invitation of the Rt. Honourable Perry Christie, I was invited to join the Cabinet and was sworn in on May 7th 2002 as Minister of Works & Utilities with the responsibility for Bahamasair and the Bridge Authority, a very large portfolio. These past five years have been a very challenging ride, giving me the opportunity to lead the fight in bringing about the much needed changes in my portfolio.

SUBDIVISIONS

Mr. Speaker, within six weeks of my appointment my very good friend, Frankly Wilson, brought to my attention that one of the FNM giants who was defeated in the 2002 General Elections, had an interest in a subdivision that was languishing in the Ministry of Works for years awaiting final approval. I invited him to give the gentleman my private telephone number so that he may call and provide me with the details and the concerns. He called and explained the problem. I obtained the file and reviewed the same and in a matter of a few hours called and told him what was required. If my memory serves me correctly, within a week the required information was provided and the final approval granted for the subdivision for which approval was being sought for a long time during his party’s Governance became a reality as a result a simple telephone call.
 

Mr. Speaker, the caller was the former Minister of Housing the Hon. Algernon Allen who was shocked, elated and very surprised that I would move with such alacrity to address a matter of a then recent fierce political detractor. My response was that the Bahamian people spoke loudly on May 2nd 2002.  We were all Bahamians before the elections and were still the same after the elections. I said that I swore an oath to look after the interest of all Bahamians full stop.

Mr. Speaker, the concerns raised by Mr. Allen and other developers led me to direct that the Ministry of Works promulgate and publish “The Design and Construction Guidelines and Plan Preparation Manual for Subdivisions in The Commonwealth of the Bahamas” which was laid on the table of Parliament in 2004. This document has enhanced and facilitated subdivision applications for all serious Developers.

Mr. Speaker complaints from Developers have reduced significantly. The numbers of Subdivisions applications have reach an all time high in the last five years.
 
 
 
 

ENGINEERS BILL
 

Mr. Speaker, for some thirty years efforts to enact a Professional Engineers Bill failed for a myriad of reasons. My view was that a woman could not remain pregnant forever; it was time that the baby of some 30 years to be born. Mr. Speaker, after many years of persevering through many setbacks and frustrations, caused by some of the engineers themselves, the Professional Engineers Bill was finally passed by the Honourable House of Assembly in 2004 and in December of 2005 the Bahamas saw the birth of the first Professional Engineers’ Board.

MINISTRY OF WORKS ENGINEERS COMPENSATION

Mr. Speaker, another challenge encountered in the Ministry of Works was that of staffing. Engineers on becoming qualified resigned for the Ministry because, the salary scales of the Technical Staff were far lower than their counterparts in the Government Corporations and the Private Sector.  This led to a fast staff turn-over.  In an effort to arrest this, a case was made for an increase in the salaries of officers of the Ministry with similar qualification to those employed in the Government Corporation and the Private Sector.

I am pleased to note that in 2005 the Government acceded to my request for all Engineers, and Architects in the Ministry of Works to receive an across-the-board Scarcity Allowance of $15,000.00 per annum thereby bringing their salaries more in line with those of their counterparts in the various corporations.  Additionally, all of those officers who were employed for many years as Assistant Engineers and who had to carry out a yeoman’s job over the years because of acute staff shortage were promoted to the post of Engineer.   Quantity Surveyors who heretofore did not receive a scarcity allowance were also granted one.

MINISTRY OF WORKS’ E-GOVERNMENT ADVANCEMENT

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the Government’s policy of advancing E-Government, last year September, my Ministry recently launched a new Tracking System in the Buildings Control Division which now  allows the public to track the status of their Building Permits from the comfort of their homes using the Ministry’s website and a special access code provided by the Ministry.  This technological initiative was one of the more exciting things to happen in that Ministry since being created by Law in 1971.

PROVIDING OPPORTUNIES PREVIOUSLY DENIED TO BAHAMIAN ROAD BUILDERS
Mr. Speaker, the Harrold Road/Tonique Williams-Darling Dualing and Rehabilitation project was removed from the original New Providence Roads Improvement project in 2003, for completion by local contractors as an exercise by The Perry Christie’s Government to prove to the IDB and the world that Bahamian road building contractors were indeed capable of carrying out works at internationally set standards.  The contract was executed by the local Joint Venture (JV) Partnership comprised of Bethell’s Trucking and Heavy Equipment & Bahamas Hot Mix.  The work commenced in April 2004 and the project was substantially completed in September 2005.

Following closely on the heels of those works, Mr. Speaker, the Joint Venture Partners were awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of Baillou Hill Road leading up to the Robinson Road intersection; a job I am also pleased to note  has been completed at international standards.

Mr. Speaker, just recently my Ministry signed another contract with Emile Knowles a local Bahamian road building contractor for the completion of the Sir Milo Butler dual carriageway, extending up to Carmichael Road. Any Government who fails to stand up for its own Road Building Contractors, in my opinion is unworthy to govern and should not be trusted.

GOVERNMENT NEW ASPHALT PLANT

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to note that during my tenure, the government has replaced an old second-hand asphalt producing plant with a brand new state-of the art plant costing some $1,261,925.44.  The new Almix Model, 76 Duo Drum, plant was purchased from Almix, a manufacturing company, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  This new plant is able to produce 160 tons per hour at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and the product will have a pavement life of a minimum of 10 years.
 
 

LONG STANDING INFRASTRUCTRAL ISSUES.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to inform this House that considerable progress has been made in advancing closer to extending invitation to contractors to bid on the Causeway to replace the Glass Window Bridge in North Eleuthera. The report for expert Coastal Engineers is scheduled to be submitted shortly providing the options to bring a solution to the long standing vexing problem of the Fishing Hole Road flooding issue and the surrounding Communities.

Mr. Speaker, I must give full credit to Senator Caleb Outten and the next Member of Parliament for Eight Mile Rock for his continued agitation for the completion of this long overdue and vexing issue.

I also take great delight in announcing that very shortly the Government proposes to sign a contract to provide an engineered advanced and guaranteed back permanent solution of access to Sweetings Cay in East Grand Bahama. Perry Christie Government will deliver on its promise to ensure that the school children of Sweetings will be safe in traveling to and from the Cay to the main land to attend school.
 

NATIONAL FLAG CARRIER BAHAMASAIR

Mr. Speaker, I was elated at having been given the opportunity to bring about a turn around in the affairs of the National Flag Carrier, Bahamasair.  The net losses for the three years prior to the Christie Government coming to office totaled some $86,222,701.00.  The largest loss was for the year ended 31st June, 2001 in the amount of $35,147,131.00.  The losses during my tenure as Minister reduced substantially to a low of $11,000,000.00.  We were progressing to achieve a further reduction of some $5½M when the airline business was impacted by the movement in the price of oil and other significant changes in the aviation business.  BWIA no longer exists and Air Jamaica is fighting for its very survival.

The Government’s mandate was to renew the fleet and we were pleased that Bahamasair was able to acquire two deHavilland Dash 8’s and two Boeing 737-200’s at record prices.   I recall a senior pilot saying that he came to the commissioning exercise to see for himself that the aircrafts were in fact received, as the former administration never delivered on their promise to provide needed additional aircraft for the airline.   Bahamasair’s services to our Family Islands and to international destinations were greatly enhanced, as a result of the additional aircrafts.

Mr. Speaker, I am satisfied that the management of Bahamasair under the PLP Government has been significantly better than under the FNM.  I have not heard even a beep, in some time, from the Member of Parliament for Lucaya regarding Bahamasair.

THE BRIDGE AUTHORITY

Mr. Speaker, as you are aware the Bridge Authority was established as a corporate body on 26th June 1998 as a continuation of the former Paradise Island Bridge Authority for the purpose of regulating vehicular traffic and traffic by persons across the bridge and to impose charges in respect of the passage of any person or vehicle across the bridge.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of proper financial controls the company operated a deficit budget year over year.

At December 31, 2002 The Bridge Authority had a long term loan payable of $600,000 which I am proud to note was completely liquidated within three years. The audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31st, 2005; net profit was just under one million dollars. For the year ended December 31st, 2006 net profits total some $1.3 million dollars. Mr. Speaker contract this to the performance under the FNM Governance.
 

WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION

The water sector in The Bahamas is perhaps the only area of service, provided by Government that truly touches every person who resides in or passes through our shores.  Water is fundamental to life and given the essential nature of this service, every administration should have paid particular attention to this sector.

Sadly, however, until the Christie led Government came to power this was not the case. We inherited a limping sector, burdened with high unaccounted for water problems, old and decaying transmissions water systems, over dependence on the Andros barging program, no sewerage program, and a slew of other problems.  Generally speaking there was no active or aggressive plan to modernize the sector and address these legacy issues.

This translated to no sanitary water supply to many Family Island communities and communities in New Providence.

In less than five (5) years, The Bahamas has seen the re-birth of the Water and Sewerage Corporation.  We have provided high quality potable water to thousands of residents, throughout the Family Islands and in New Providence; produced a new water and wastewater service strategy policy document, which is being actively followed and not gathering dust on a shelf; we have with our environmental and eco-sensitive strategic partners, launched an Integrated Water Resource Management Program, to protect our water resources, wetlands, etc. for future generations; and we are currently in the design stage of the Government’s first tertiary sewerage treatment plant.

As opposed to sanctioning report after report, to confirm what all Bahamians and visitors alike knew, i.e., that The Bahamas did not have adequate water and wastewater services, under my stewardship, this Government took strong measures to address and fix the legacy issues.

BAHAMAS TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY LTD

In its first five year term in office, 2002 to 2005, BTC, under Perry Christie’s PLP Government generated $178.9 Million net profit compared to $112 Million earned between 1994 to 2001.

Under the Christie Administration, BTC spent $353 Million in Capital Development Projects in 5 years—spending $92.8 Million in 2006.  BTC generated $300 Million in revenue for the first time in its history in 2006 notwithstanding significant reductions in telephone rates.

The Capital Investment has allowed BTC, under the PLP Government, to connect 14 Islands of The Bahamas via a Fiber Optic Submarine Cable.  These Islands include New Providence, Andros, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Ragged Island, Inagua, Mayaguana, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Crooked Island and Cat Island.
 
BTC has also built a Fiber Optic Submarine Cable between Bimini and Grand Bahama; and Inagua and Haiti.

The deployment of this Network has allowed BTC to be able to deploy High Speed Internet, GSM Cellular Technology, CDMA Cellular Technology, EZPay (The ability to pay bills via the Internet and Contracted Services), VIBE and Blackberry to these Islands.

When the PLP came to power, there were 80,000 Cellular customers in The Bahamas.  Today, there are over 230,000 Cellular customers in The Bahamas.  Telephone and Wireline services have been provided to many of these Islands for the first time.
 

BAHAMAS ELECTRICITY CORPORATION

Mr. Speaker, since coming to office, Perry Christie’s Government has vigorously ensured that obsolete and inefficient Gas guzzling generators were replaced with new more efficient units. Regular maintenance of generator programs was implemented.  This has resulted in reduced fuel costs and improved reliability. Gone are the days of constant load shedding that was the norm under the former Administration.   BEC in New Providence has for the first time stand by generating capacity unprecedented in the Corporation’s history.

Mr. Speaker in October 2003 the basic rate for electricity to all customers, residential and commercial, was reduced ranging between 10%-17%. This rate reduction was unprecedented and was gladly welcomed by all customers. It is expected that following a rate evaluation exercise, a further reduction may be in the offering.

Mr. Speaker, the family islands have not been left out.
In Abaco, Four 12 MW Diesels generators and a New Power Plant have been ordered. The first two units are scheduled to be in operation by October 2008. The project cost is some $66 million dollars, not including the transmission and distribution works.  In anticipation of the summer peak for 2007 and 2008, all generators will be overhauled and one or two interim units installed.
In Eleuthera, a new power station is being finalized. It is anticipated that two sites would be used, one in Governor's Harbour and the other at 3 Island Dock.
 In Bimini, the existing power station will be expanded by addition of two generators.
In Cat Island, approval has been granted for the construction of a new power station.
In 2003 BEC and BTC began paying customers interest on deposits.
 

RESPONSE TO REQUEST OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Mr. Speaker, I take special pride in acknowledging that in keeping with the declared policy of Perry Christie’s Government, the record will show that there has not been any serious request made by Opposition Members or Independent Members or Government Members that have not been addressed or are in the advanced process of being implemented, which falls under my portfolio. That is so because the declared policy has been that the Christie Government was elected to represent all Bahamians regardless of whom the MP is. We have addressed matters in constituencies represented by our detractors which were never brought to the Government’s attention by the Members of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, the Handsard of this Parliament will affirm my strong assertion of this position.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my personal gratitude and thanks to the Chairman and Board Members of BEC, BTC, W&SC, The Bridge Authority, Bahamasair, the Permanent Secretary,  the Director of Works, and all the staff members of the Corporations and the Ministry of Works for their support over these past five years.  The record will show that we were able to achieve many things of which all should be proud.
 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I have reached the end of my journey through what are often times called the minefields of representation in The House of Assembly. Mr. Speaker, for those who have not had the pleasure and experience of serving in The House of Assembly, I want them to know that it is not an easy task to prepare oneself for a sitting in this Place.

It is not an easy task to face off against formidable and most times prepared colleagues, who if they are on the other side, have their own agendas that they are just as committed to putting forward. It is not an easy task to stay focused on what one is attempting to convey to the public when it is known that it is not what you mean by your words that count, it is the people’s definition of the words you speak that matters most. And certainly it is not an easy task to put forth ideas that will serve the greater good of the society. Somebody will always feel unsatisfied.

Mr. Speaker, I have considered all of those tasks when standing in this Parliament on behalf of my Constituents for the past 25 years. It has not been a bevy of easy tasks, but it has been a pleasure.

For I may not have been the most articulate to stand in this Parliament—but I have known how to get my point across. I may not have been the most wealthiest to stand in this Parliament—but I always gave of what I had and in a way that would best help my Constituents in need and without fanfare.
 I may not have been as daring as some who have stood in this Parliament—but whatever amount of courage I had, I used it to the fullest. I did whatever I had to do and dared anyone to try and stop me. I may not have appeared as confident as some who stood in this Parliament—but when it came down to delivery time and fighting for the rights of people, some only talked about their confidence, but I displayed that confidence. I was not about talking about a problem and hoping it goes away. I was about working until the problem was solved.

Mr. Speaker, during my twenty five years it has and could only be about the people and never about me.

However Mr. Speaker, I could not have offered service to my Constituents and this Parliament for 25 years without the help of so many others. I have to give the highest praise to Almighty God for giving me the ability to serve the public and the strength to do so for 25 years. I am a living testimony of the spiritual truism of when God sends you to do a task--he also fully prepares you to do that task.

I must also specially thank my wife Hartlyn of 43 years, who has been my strongest and most faithful supporter, my loving Mother Merle, my siblings and other family members, who have supported me through all of the good times, but most importantly during the few bad times. The life of a committed Parliamentarian takes its toll on those in the Parliamentarian’s life and it takes extraordinary individuals to participate in the public intrusion of their lives all because the head of the family chose to be a career public servant. My wife, my children, my grand children and my extended family members have proven over these 25 years to be extraordinary individuals. I thank God for them and the extending of their unconditional support.

I must also acknowledge and thank my late great grandfather Ernest Lenkard Bowen who served for two terms as a member of this place from 1910 to 1924, who provided the inspiration for me to seek to become a member of this place. I would be remiss not to express my profound thanks and gratitude to the late Clifford Thomas Peter Rahming Sr, SC. Contractor, Musician and Taxi Driver who first approach me back in 1968 and planted the political seed in my thoughts. Clifford Rahming Sr. served as my campaign manager in all my elections save and except the last as he went on to live with the Lord. Mr. Speaker Clifford Rahming Sr. was a Giant of a man whom I miss very dearly. I thank him for the inspiration.

I must also thank my political soldiers and there have been many who have been on the battle lines with me for 25 years. I remember two of the very seniors Mrs. Eunice Marge Thurston age 93 and Mr. Henry Alexander Papa Harry Wright age 92, both of whom are alive and well and are active in the struggle and are here this evening in the strangers gallery.  Both have extraordinary courage and faithfulness in the cause of the PLP.

 Some have passed on to Glory, but nevertheless must be thanked for their service along with those still amongst us in this world. Some have given endless physical effort to my service as a Member of Parliament. Others have given endless ideas to my service as a Member of Parliament. And all have been prepared, if asked, to do both in an effort to help me succeed in providing the best representation that I could.

I must also thank those persons, most of whom are average citizens, for all of their support, their advice, their encouragement and the information they have put in my garbage can over the years. I want all of them to know that every time I stood on my feet in this Parliament, I carried the weight of never wanting to disappoint any of them. I carried that weight proudly, knowing that each and every one of those average citizens were just as serious about good representation as I am.

I wish to thank the oldest political Party in The Bahamas, The Progressive Liberal Party which allowed me to serve in many capacities including Chairman of the National Ways and Means Committee back in the mid 1970’s and as National Chairman leading to the 2002 General Elections.

If it were not for the vision of the founding Fathers of the great PLP and the carrying forth of that vision by those after them, I do not know where I and countless thousands would have been today, or what kind of country The Bahamas would have been today. The hopes and aspirations of the downtrodden, rejected and marginalized, could have never been and will never be achieved without the existence of The PLP.

I am honored to have served my Party fearlessly and faithfully and am eternally grateful to have been allowed to do so in The Parliament and in the Perry Christie’s Government.

And lastly, to all of my Parliamentary Colleagues, past and present, friend and foe and in particular The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Perry G Christie who has proven to be the consummate Democrat for his outstanding leadership courage and wisdom; I wish to thank them for their strident and most times honorable participation in my servitude as a Parliamentarian. It is because of all of them that I sincerely say thank you. It has been one hell of an exciting 25-year ride.

Mr. Speaker, a brief word directly to all Bahamians through out our Bahamaland; very shortly the Prime Minister will direct that both Houses of Parliament be dissolved paving the way, in compliance with the Constitution of the Bahamas, for the electorate to exercise their right to vote to select the Political Party of their choice to Govern the Bahamas for the next five years.

Mr. Speaker, during the past five years I have listened to virtually every utterance of FNM members and its Leader in this House and can declare in my opinion from any perspective, that the member of North Abaco has never raised an issue of substance as to why the Government of Perry Christie should not be re-elected to continue the outstanding work it has began on behalf of the Bahamian People.

Mr. Speaker, the truth of the matter is that the outgoing member for North Abaco contribution in this House over the last five years was dismal, his record of attendance was miserable, the interest expressed in the place for the people of North Abaco was depressing and non-existing. Personally I believe he is tired and washed up.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to again strongly remind the Bahamian people that it was the Member for North Abaco, who on July 7, 1997 paid a back handed tribute to the Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden O. Pindling on the day Sir Lynden was forced to resign from this House.  North Abaco said:  “But politics is a strange master, it intoxicates and inflates some, it addicts and makes prisoners of others; it causes yet others to stay beyond the time of their appropriate departure because they view their presence and their rule as indispensable”. I strongly recommend that North Abaco apply this admonition to himself.

As always, Mr. Speaker, and for this final time, I thank you on behalf of the great Constituency of Bain and Grants Town. May Almighty God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.