23 October 2009
Wyndham Hotel Cable Beach Nassau Bahamas

Mr. Party Leader, Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Deputy Leader, Mrs. Pratt, Deputy Elect, Mr. Philip Brave Davis and Mrs. Davis, my Friend, Mrs. Glenys Hanna Martin, other Party officers and officers elect, Stalwart Councilors, Convention Delegates, Party Supporters, Ministers of the Gospel, My Brothers and My Sisters here present and with us by media, Good Evening!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am reliably informed, that ever since the announcement of my return as Chairman yesterday afternoon; the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham has been restless, nervous, and somewhat tormented. In fact I understand that he and many of his colleagues, though two years remain in their term, have already begun to pack.

Fear has been struck in the organization of the FNM because they know that as of today they and their legions will no longer be allowed to attack the PLP and its members without unreserved retaliation. They can expect blow after blow after blow now from a big man, with nothing to fear, nothing to gain and nothing to lose. Just as they called Mr. Ingraham back to service as their leader to win the 2007 General Elections, I have been brought back just for Mr. Ingraham.

All this empty talk about Ingraham having Mr. Christie’s number … let me declare tonight that your new Chairman has Mr. Ingraham’s number, and the Bahamian people can begin counting the days to his final and complete, never to return, retirement from public life!

Please allow me from the bottom of my heart, to thank the many of you delegates who supported my bid to regain the helm of the Chairmanship of the greatest political Party in our Bahamas. It was not my original intent to do so, but duty called and circumstances within and without our institution forced me to return to the forefront of battle, in this capacity. You called, and I have answered. You have pledged your support to me now I pledge my unwavering commitment to you!

Now there are two very special women who deserve special mention in my brief address tonight. The Hon Cynthia “ Mother” Pratt, please allow my own public thanks and well wishes as you move into another phase of your service to God and Country. This Party and our Country have benefited greatly from your unselfish contribution to them.

There are thousands of citizens in The Bahamas, Mother Pratt, whose lives are significantly more meaningful because you opted to put service above self. The women’s movement, Mother Pratt, has been advanced because of your presence and ascension to the deputy leadership, as well as the role of Deputy Prime Minister.

You served us well. You made us proud. And now the world must know your story of rising from poverty and other disadvantages you had to endure to having had for a short stint assumed the role of holding the wheel of acting Prime Minister when circumstances required. As Chairman, you can be sure that your legacy will be celebrated and strengthened as I will go to great length to not just thank you with words but in action.

To the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, I say that your contribution to National Development and to the advancement of the mission of the Progressive Liberal Party makes me especially proud. You and I fought a little battle during this convention but having been colleagues and friends for such a long time I trust that you know that that the outcome of the chairmanship race does not affect our relationship and willingness to work together to fulfill the mandate of the bigger picture.

You were a wonderfully effective Chairperson. The first woman ever, to have served in that position. I salute you for that. You earned my respect as you dealt fearlessly with many shortcomings of the Governing Free National Movement thus far. We watched as they directed police offers to try and rough you up and remove you from the Hon House of Assembly. Yet you stood undaunted.

Additionally, Madam Chair, at least one Minister had to resign under your watch, another example of your tireless effort to uproot and expose all misconduct and neglect on the part of this so called Government of Trust.

On behalf of our Party I thank you for your stellar stewardship over our Party affairs and your work thus far in the dismantling of our political opponents. I look forward to picking up where you left off.

The others who participated in the Chairmanship race are also to be commended. There is a call these days for younger, fresher faces. Trust me when I say, my return is to ensure just that. Go tell it on the mountain that Perry Christie, Philip “Brave” Davis and Bradley Roberts will guarantee that there will be a wonderful mix of personalities, of varying ages, gender, and convictions who will make the frontline team in the next general election.

Convention delegates in your wisdom you elected a cadre of young educated and progressive persons to serve as Senior Executives in the Party. If you are here, please stand and be recognized so that The Bahamas can see that our Party has quite a few young persons as part of its National Team: Alex Storr as Deputy National Chair, Vice Chairs Melissa Sears, Omar Armbrister, Ryan Pinder, Kevin Ferguson, and Randy Rolle.

I want to see the young blood in Parliament. I want to hear of their appointment to Cabinet and the many boards, committees, and agencies which go to the direct governance of our fair Bahamaland.

As for me, my sole purpose is to dismantle the FNM. I make no apologies for what I am about to do this present Ingraham Administration. They make no apology for what they have been doing to our people since they assumed office on May 2, 2007. Hubert Inghram has no remorse over the suffering of those who have been fired or those whose lights are off, or those who choose daily between eating or putting gas in their cars, or those whose savings, investments, and insurance policies have vanished like a trick from David Copperfield’s playbook.

So pray for me but never suggest that I ease up … I have come to bite and to bite hard! There will be no backing down by Bradley Roberts as it concerns the incompetence of the FNM.

I am fully aware that I am considered by the FNM and its operative’s to be their worst nightmare, but will be undaunted by their attempts to discredited me. As I have in the pass will disclose the truth and ask penetrating questions which most of the Press appears afraid to do.

I wish now to commend all of the other contenders of the various posts which were up for election this Convention. It was a lively and spirited contest on all levels. To the winners, I look forward to close collaboration with you on matters relating to the further building up of our Party as well as matters of National importance. To those of you who were not successful, you still have your roles to play. As your Chairman, part of my portfolio will include ensuring that there is a sense of unity and a unified purpose within this Party.

Therefore I will be reaching out wherever I believe there to be the slightest threat at division or discontent. At the same time however, let me make it clear that another objective of my portfolio will be to ensure that this organization now speaks with one voice. Unity of Party must also mean unity of purpose and message. Personal agendas and behavior which leads to mischief and derision must be stamped out so that we can become one lean mean winning machine fully behind the vision of one leader, OUR LEADER – the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie.

And Mr. Leader, please allow me to warmly congratulate you on such a clear and commanding victory. I pledge my loyal and dedicated support behind you Sir. We have precedence Mr. Leader of rolling the FNM out. With God’s help I know we will do it again. And because this time around we are both stronger and wiser and in better physical shape, I know that we will defeat them with even greater vigor and force.

Mr. Leader, with the blessings of God these days you are leaner than you have been in many, many years. You have extra pep in your step and your loving and beautiful wife Bernadette seems always to be smiling satisfactorily from ear to ear. I’m not doing too bad myself; just catch me on the beach in the mornings.

I reiterate that I am all for the infusion of young people in this great Progressive Liberal Party. You can rest assured that in the process of my singular duty of defeating the FNM that I will help to lay the final planks to our new future. Do not be dismayed young people, I have only returned to clear and prepare the way for you.

There are a couple senior men on the other side who need to be dealt with by another senior man, so that you can have your day. So, ready yourselves for election victory in the many constituencies throughout our Country. Ready yourselves to serve on the frontline of a new PLP Government.

Whenever and wherever you can, lend a helping hand in the retooling of our organization. I will be a Chairman of inclusion. I believe in the young men and women of our Country and our Party, and welcome your participation on every level of service in Party and National politics. In fact, embrace me as your John the Baptist, merely preparing the way for those behind who are of greater importance than me.

Fellow delegates, before I take my seat I need to give the Free National Movement a little taste of what they have to look forward to. I also need the people of this Country who I am so passionate about to know that I have returned to defend their needs and our collective future.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it was my privilege and distinct honour to have been the Chairman of the Party when we won in a landside on May 2nd 2002 under the capable Leadership of Perry Gladstone Christie. You will recall that we had five gallant PLP Members of Parliament at the time. Painfully you will also recall that the economy of the Bahamas in 2002 was in shambles.

In 2007 the FNM Government inherited an economy that was booming and robust with significant Investment projects and jobs galore, this was definitely acknowledged by Hubert Inghram. In some 2 and one half years since the return to power of Hubert Ingraham and the FNM in 2007 the state of the Bahamian economy is in a greater state of decay than in 2002 and continues to worsen day by day and the only response from the Government is that it is waiting for President Obama to turn around the US economy.

Convention delegates, whilst some 9,000 families are living without electricity, unemployment in New Providence is moving towards 20% and Grand Bahama and Freeport the so called FNM country is moving towards 30% and when one looks around work permits are been given for jobs Bahamians can do. I invite you my brothers and sisters to look around and see, bread being taken out of the mouths of Bahamians. Lord you know that ain’t right. That ain’t right.

The MP for Yamacraw last evening told the Convention of the level of the misery index and the corresponding levels of suffering and poverty in our Bahama Land. Families are losing homes due to mortgage defaults. Even the Government Mortgage Corporation announced that they would exercise foreclosure in certain circumstance putting Bahamians on the Streets. The FNM have no answers to the problems which confronts the Bahamian people.

As an example, Hubert Inghram whilst overseas last year boastfully announced that his government would come to the rescue of mortgage defaulters and would introduce a Mortgage Relief Program but not a single thing has happened. Hubert Inghram also promised that the 13 week NIB funded unemployment program would be extended an additional 13 weeks and it never happened.

Before the May 2007 Elections Tommy Turnquest claimed that he and the FNM had the answers to Crime; so where are the answers? I implore those who stole the answers and promises of Hubert Inghram and Tommy Turnquest and the FNM to please return them to any Church or Community Leader without further delay and a handsome reward will be paid.
 
Crime and the fear of crime have reached unprecedented levels in our Country, with the Government having no solutions. All they continue to do is shuck and jive the Bahamian people aided and abetted in the main by a Compliannt Press who terribly fail to keep the Government’s feet to the fire and accountable to the people. How in the World did the Press allowed Zhivargo “Mr. Mona Vie” Laing to shrug his shoulders and ask the Bahamian people sarcastically what they want the Government to do about crime – put police officers in their homes?” I don’t understand how the press would not take Laing to task for insulting the Bahamian people?

The record will show that the Progressive Liberal Party has always been the party of ideas and the other The FNM a party that in its truest sense a reactionary party.  Our Bahamian brothers and sisters need to be reminded that on regaining the government in 2002 the PLP government’s first order of business was to borrow over $125m to pay outstanding debts so as to keep the day to day functioning of the Government running. I am obliged to remind the public that the FNM's record on the management of the economy has always been spotty at best.

The period 1992 -97 was spotty, to say the least; Kerzner saved the economy in 1997 to 2002. From 2007 to date, it’s the same old song and dance. Is this a Government you can trust my brothers and sisters? All the lies about PLP hands in the proverbial cookie jar … well they emptied the jar now and have dropped it and broken it to pieces.

The FNM have not made any improvements which has positively impacted the lives of ordinary Bahamians in this present term. They were pre-occupied with the disastrous policy of Stop Review and cancel Policy.

All of the current mega projects are PLP Initiatives, Sports  Stadium, LPI Airport, Market Plaza, New Schools, Abaco Airport enhancement etc save and except the NRIP which was given to a foreign Contractor rather than to Bahamian Contractors who proved they were able to perform to International Road Standards.

Admittedly, they are good at cleaning up the sides of streets but, as former US Vice President, Walter Mondale use to say. “Where is the beef?" Michael Halkitis summed it up well last evening; the FNM stimulus program of roads is not one that will generate any meaningful employment for Bahamians. Hubert Inghram’s answer to jobs is to temporarily put them on the side of the road in the heat of the day while making Brent Symonette and the boys richer in the process.

My sources tell me that the Government is struggling to meet its obligations. The Government continues to borrow monies left right and center to keep the Government floating, driving up the National Debt to unprecedented levels. Notwithstanding the borrowings, Contractors and Suppliers are not being paid on a timely basis and when payments are made it’s in drip and drabs.

The denial of this indisputable fact by FNM Chair Johnley Ferguson was disgraceful and the Tribune accepted that bull. Johnley is a stranger to the truth.

The providers of the basic commodity of Reverse Osmosis Water to the Water and Sewerage Corp have disclosed publicly over and repeatedly that payments due are delayed for long extended periods of time. These arrears are now subject to interest thereby adding to the cost of water to the Corporation.

The Government credit ratings by International agencies have been shattered and will adversely impact the Government’s ability to borrow on the International Market.

The Water & Sewerage Corp has been allowed to drift like a ship without a rudder. There has been no new expansion of potable water in the Family Islands; projects that were on stream took forever to complete or were abandoned. I am advised that a RO plant that was approved by the Christie administration for Green Turtle Cay was scrapped and the plant sits unused. The W&S Corp has had no General Manager for almost two years it’s just drifting like a feather in the wind going nowhere. It’s clearly willful neglect on the Government to turn its back on the Corp.

BEC is struggling to keep the lights on, Family Islands projects in Abaco and Eleuthera which have been completed more than a year ago are badly delayed and only God one knows when they will be completed. In the meantime customers in New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera and Andros continue to be faced with blackouts. Despite the Government borrowings for BEC, payments due to Suppliers and Contractors are in some cases over eighteen months overdue which suggest that the BEC is in a grave financial position. A critical question is, how much does the Government owe BEC and when will it pay the Corp? They will no doubt try to blame the PLP for FNM destruction of BEC Corp.

My Brothers and my Sisters, you will appreciate my emphasis on the affairs of Works and Utilities as I have had to watch all of my hard work go down the drain. But what is happening in Ministries of Works and the Environment is reflective of what is happening in every Government Ministry under Hubert Ingraham and the FNM. We are in a serious condition fellow Bahamians, even FNMs must open their eyes and their minds and begin to question how close we may be to the brink of destruction.

But not to fear, the PLP is here. We will do all that we have to return the visionary Perry Christie to the helm of this Nation so that we can restore and complete our ambitious economic and social agendas.

The task ahead will not be an easy one. The Free National Movement has in its arsenal, a biased press that loves to direct the minds of the Bahamian people off of the failings of the FNM and on to propaganda spread about the PLP.

Yes fellow degelates we have a great battle ahead of us but fear not. Fear not my fellow PLP’s! With a renewed commitment to our purpose, marching forward in unity, on one accord, we will rescue our Country yet again from an FNM Party which is all images and no substance.

I am ready! Are you ready? If you are, let me hear you say, “WE READY NOW?”

ARE YOU READY?  ARE YOU READY?

PLP … PLP … PLP