HON. KENRED DORSETT M.P. MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING MID YEAR BUDGET COMMUNICATION 2014 FEBRUARY 27TH, 2014 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY MR. SPEAKER, ONCE AGAIN I RISE IN THIS PLACE ON BEHALF OF THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN SHORES. TO MAKE MY CONTRIBUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE MID-YEAR BUDGET STATEMENT AND THE TARIFF AMENDMENT BILL AND EXCISE AMENDMENT BILL. I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN SHORES AND TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD FOR AFFORDING ME THE CHANCE TO SERVE THEM AND MY COUNTRY, WHICH I LOVE SO DEARLY. MR. SPEAKER, AS A CHILD I DREAMT OF GROWING UP TO BECOME A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND SERVING MY PEOPLE. TODAY, I AM LIVING THAT DREAM AND I ASSURE THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE, I WILL NOT SQUANDER THE OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO ME. THIS PRIVILEGE SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY ANYONE IN THIS PLACE. AFTERALL, MANY TRY, BUT FEW ARE GIVEN THIS PRIVILEGE AND HONOUR.
MR. SPEAKER, BEFORE I BEGIN MY PRESENTATION I WOULD LIKE TO PUBLICLY EXTEND CONDOLENCES TO ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS, MRS. IRENE THOMPSON, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “MAMA T” ON THE PASSING OF HER HUSBAND, NEVIS THOMPSON. SHE IS KNOWN TO ALL IN THE FLAMINGO GARDENS AND MILLER’S HEIGHTS AREA. SHE HAS BEEN A SOURCE
OF
POLITICAL
SUPPORT
FOR
SO
MANY
PLP
CANDIDATES OVER THE YEARS. I AM CERTAIN MY COLLEAGUE THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR GOLDEN ISLES, WOULD NOT MIND ME SAYING, THAT I ALSO SPEAK FOR HIM, IN EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO HER AND HER CHILDREN. THEY WERE A SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR THE MEMBER OF GOLDEN ISLES WHEN HE REPRESENTED THE AREA FROM 2002 TO 2007 AND THEY ARE A TREMENDOUS SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR ME TODAY. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND CONDOLENCES TO GURTH “PAPA” FORD, JACK AND MARK ON THE PASSING OF THEIR WIFE AND MOTHER, BEVERELY FORD. MR. SPEAKER, MRS. FORD WAS A LIKE A “SECOND MOM” TO ME. SHE WAS A SWEET, KIND AND BEAUTHIFUL PERSON. JACK HER SON, WAS AND CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS. WE GREW UP IN HIGHBURY PARK TOGETHER, WENT TO ST. JOHN’S PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TOGETHER, WERE MEMBERS OF 13 TH BHAMASA SCOUT TROOP TOGETHER AND ARE GOD-PARENTS
TO EACH OTHER”S CHILDREN. MR. SPEAKER ON THE 16TH FEBRUARY, I CELEBRATED MY 43RD BIRTHDAY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF MY CONSTITUENCY WHO ACCOMPANIED ME TO MY HOME CHURCH, BAHAMAS HARVEST, TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I APPRECIATE THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LOVE. MR. SPEAKER, WHEN I SPOKE IN THIS AUGUST CHAMBER DURING THE 2013/2014 BUDGET DEBATE, I ADVISED THE CONSTITUENTS OF SOUTHERN SHORES, IN PARTICULAR THE RESIDENTS OF MISTY GARDENS, MARSHALL ROAD AND THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF ANATOL RODGERS SCHOOL, THAT AN APPROPRIATE SITE NEAR THE NEW PROVIDENCE LANDFILL HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED BRINGING US ONE STEP CLOSER TO GETTING
RID
OF
THIS
VEXING
PROBLEM
THAT
MY
CONSTITUENTS HAVE HAD TO ENDURE FOR OVER TWENTY (20) YEARS. MR. SPEAKER, I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE MINISTRY OF WORKS HAVE NOW COMPLETED PRELIMINARY DESIGNS AND PROVIDED BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE CIVIL AND BUILDING WORKS. THIS NOW PUTS US IN A POSITION TO SEEK FUNDING FOR THE RELOCATION IN THE NEXT BUDGET, WHICH WILL ENABLE THE
DERELICT VEHICLE PLANT TO BE LOCATED IN AN APPROPRIATE AREA NEAR THE LANDFILL AND FREE UP THE EXISTING LOCATION TO ENABLE US TO USE IT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A GREEN SPACE, RECREATION AND SPORTING FACILITIES. SOUTHERN SHORES, WE ARE ON THE MOVE! MR. SPEAKER, DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE I ANNOUNCED THAT THIS YEAR, WE WOULD ADVANCE CERTAIN PROJECTS IN THE CONSTITUENCY. I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY CLEARED THE PONDS IN THE MILLER’S HEIGHTS AND VENDALL DRIVE PARKS AND CONSTITUENCY ALLOWANCE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF GAZEBOS AT VENDALL DRIVE PARK AND THE REPAIR OF THE BATHROOMS. SIMILAR WORKS WILL BE ADVANCED ON THE MILLER’S HEIGHTS PARK. CONSTITUENCY ALLOWANCE FUNDING WILL ALSO BE USED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW PARK IN ROYAL PALM GARDENS AND THE PROPOSED SITE FOR THE NEW PARK IN CARIBBEAN GARDENS HAS BEEN CLEARED AND WORK IS IN PROGRESS. MR. SPEAKER, WE HAVE ALSO LAUNCHED THE SOUTHERN SHORES COMPUTER LAB AND HOME WORK CENTRE. I WANT TO THANK MY VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND CONTINUED HARD WORK IN ENSURING THAT STUDENTS IN THE
CONSTITUENCY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS AND USE THE LAB. CONSTITUENTS SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT I HAVE PURCHASED THE CRIME WATCH BILLBOARDS FOR MANY OF THE SUBDIVISIONS IN THE CONSTITUENCY AND THEY WILL BE ERECTED AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. MR SPEAKER, THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT IN ANYONE'S MIND THAT THIS GOVERNMENT IS WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION.
THE OPPOSITION AND OTHERS
WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY BUT THE PROOF IS THERE FOR ANYONE THAT TAKES THE TIME TO DIG THROUGH THE RHETORIC, GOSSIP AND MISINFORMATION TO SEE. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN TWO YEARS SINCE WE BEGAN THIS TERM IN OFFICE AND WE HAVE AGAIN BEEN ABLE TO BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE BAHAMAS. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE, IN HIS MID YEAR BUDGET COMMUNICATION STATED THAT, “THE ECONOMY IS GROWING AND UNEMPLOYMENT IS DECLINING”, THIS IS GOOD NEWS. HE SPOKE OF THE MANY PROJECTS THAT ARE IN VARYING STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
HE WENT TO GREAT
LENGTHS IN HIS PRESENTATION TO ENSURE THAT ALL WHO WERE
LISTENING
UNDERSTOOD
HIM
BY
LISTING
EACH
PROJECT, WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE, BY WHOM AND ON WHICH ISLANDS. THIS IS GOOD NEWS. OF PARTICULAR NOTE, IS THE OPENING OF THE BAHAMAS
AGRICULTURE AND MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE (BAMSI) IN NORTH ANDROS. IT IS SOMETHING THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION COMMITTED TO IN OUR CHARTER FOR GOVERNANCE AND WE HAVE DELIVERED. THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE UNDERPLAYED. IT SHOULD BE SEEN FOR WHAT IT IS, AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THE FOOD SECURITY OF THIS COUNTRY, WHILE DEVELOPING AN ACTION PLAN THAT WILL CAUSE THE RESURGENCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND MARINE INDUSTRIES IN THE BAHAMAS, THAT, MR. SPEAKER…IS VERY GOOD NEWS. WITH THAT MR. SPEAKER, BAMSI WILL BRING ABOUT A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION IN ANDROS. WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT, IT WILL BRING ABOUT THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW CITY IN NORTH ANDROS. ALREADY THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ANNOUNCED THE INVESTMENT OF INVESTMENT OF OVER 20 MILLION DOLLARS IN BAMSI AND ANOTHER 25 MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE INVESTED IN ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN NORTH ANDROS. ANYONE WHO HAS VISITED NORTH ANDROS IN RECENT TIMES WOULD AGREE THAT SUCH AN INVESTMENT IS LONG OVERDUE AND CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. ANDROS, WE WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU. WE WILL NOT ABANDON YOU. WE BELIEVE THAT YOU POSSESS THE RESOURCES TO FEED OUR PEOPLE AND CREATE NEW ROBUST INDUSTRY. YOU HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION NEVER TOOK YOU SERIOUSLY. OH ANDROS, OH MY ANDROS…..YOUR DREAMS, HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS WILL BE REALIZED THROUGH THE WORKS AND EFFORTS OF THIS PLP GOVERNMENT LED BY PERRY GLADSTONE CHRISTIE. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE HAS PROMISED 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT IN ANDROS.
I
HOPE
BAHAMIANS
ARE
LISTENING
TO
THE
PRONOUNCEMENTS. SOUTHERN SHORES, I WANT YOU TO LISTEN. WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT, THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR BAHAMIANS TO EXAMINE CLOSELY THE POSSIBILITY OF LIVING IN ANDROS AND COMMUTING TO NEW PROVIDENCE FOR EMPLOYMENT IF NECESSARY. NEW SCHOOLS WILL BE BUILT OR EXPANDED. DOCKS WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TRANSPORT SECTOR, INCLUDING INTER-ISLAND TRANSPORTION WILL ARISE. OPPORTUNITIES FOR BAHAMIANS MR. SPEAKER. AS FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS, RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS, INDUSTRIALISTS MOVE TO ANDROS TO WORK, CONSTRUCTION WILL PICK UP MR. SPEAKER. THIS WILL CREATE MORE JOBS AND MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR BAHAMIANS. THERE WILL
BE
MORE
PEOPLE
TO
BUY
FROM
THE
LOCAL
CONVENIENCE STORES, ANDROSIANS WILL BEGIN TO RETURN HOME AND FINALLY, AGRICULTURE WILL BE GIVEN THE PROMINENCE AND ATTENTION IT HAS SOUGHT FOR DECADES. I AM CERTAIN THE MEMBER FOR SOUTH ABACO, WOULD AGREE WITH ME WHEN I SAY, THIS IS EXTREMELY GOOD NEWS!
MR. SPEAKER, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BAMSI IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT TO MY MINISTRY. WE WILL WORK WITH
BAMSI IN RELATION TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF FORESTRY, THE PRODUCTION OF BIO-FUELS AS A PART OF OUR RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENDA. AS WE DEVELOP MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE FOREST ESTATES, WE WILL ALSO DISCUSS WITH BAMSI THE
DEVELOPMENT
INDUSTRY
IN
INVESTMENT
OF
ANDROS.
ECO-LODGES THIS
OPPORTUNITIES,
TO
AND
WILL
MORE
A
HUNTING
CREATE
JOBS
AND
MORE MORE
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR PEOPLE. MR. SPEAKER ALL OF THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BEING CONDUCTED IN RELATION TO MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, BIODIVERSITY,
CLIMATE
CHANGE,
WETLANDS
AND
NATURAL
RESOURCES WITHIN MY MINISTRY WILL BE CONDUCTED IN COLLABORATION WITH BAMSI. MR. SPEAKER, IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT BAMSI, WHICH WILL PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS AND I AM TOLD THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE WORLD, WILL BECOME A CENTRAL REPOSITORY FOR RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN THE BAHAMAS, WHICH CAN THEN BE USED TO ADVANCE SOLUTIONS, POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT
PLANS
FOR
OUR
BELOVED
NATION.
MR.
SPEAKER THIS IS GREAT NEWS! MR. SPEAKER, THE MINISTER OF FINANCE DELIVERED EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS WHEN HE SAID THAT WE ARE ON TARGET TO MEET OR POSSIBLY EXCEED OUR DEFICIT PROJECTION FOR
THIS FISCAL YEAR. BAHAMAS
IN
AS WE ARE ALL WELL AWARE, THE
RECENT
YEARS
HAS
SEEN
DARK
DAYS
FINANCIALLY. THE CURRENT LEADER OF THE SIDE OPPOSITE ADMITTED IN THIS VERY PLACE THE SAD STATE IN WHICH HIS ADMINISTRATION LEFT THE FINANCES OF THE COUNTRY. DURING THE 2013/2014 BUDGET DEBATE, THE MEMBER FOR KILLARNEY SAID, “WHEN WE LEFT OFFICE, WE WERE FACED WITH THE WORST RECESSION. WE LEFT THE ECONOMY IN A WHEELCHAIR......” IN MY MIND THIS IS AN ADMISSION TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION OF WHAT WE ON THIS SIDE WERE SAYING
ALL
ALONG.
THE
FORMER
ADMINISTRATION
MISMANAGED THE FINANCES OF THIS COUNTRY, RECESSION OR NOT. TO THIS DAY WE ARE STILL STRUGGLING BUT WITH THE PRUDENCE AND INGENUITY THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DISPLAYED, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WE HAVE WORKED OUR WAY FROM A DEFICIT OF OVER FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS WHEN WE CAME TO OFFICE IN 2012 TO NOW BE ABLE TO PROJECT THAT WE WILL MEET OR EXCEED OUR OWN EXPECTATIONS WHERE THE REDUCTION OF THIS YEAR'S DEFICIT IS CONCERNED. THE CENTRAL BANK'S MONTHLY ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS REPORT DECEMBER 2013 STATES THAT, “GOVERNMENT'S OVERALL DEFICIT CONTRACTED FOR THE FIVE MONTHS THROUGH NOVEMBER FY2013/14, OWING TO A DECLINE IN SPENDING AND A SLIGHT INCREASE IN REVENUE.” IN DECEMBER OF 2013, THE MEMBER FOR GOLDEN ISLES
STATED THAT THE “DEFICIT WAS REDUCED BY ALMOST ONE HALF, FROM A LEVEL OF ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS TO SEVENTY EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR” (WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN LAST YEAR). THIS IS GOOD NEWS. MR. SPEAKER, THIS “CHRISTIE-NOMICS” WHICH THE SIDE OPPOSITE COINED IN THE LAST BUDGET DEBATE AS A DEROGATORY TERM, IS WORKING. IT IS WORKING TO GET THE FINANCES OF THIS NATION OFF AND RUNNING AND OUT OF THE DISABLED STATE IN WHICH THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION LEFT IT. THIS IS INDEED GOOD NEWS. THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE JUST AS OPTIMISTIC AS THE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE AS TO THE BRIGHTNESS OF OUR FUTURE. IN ALMOST EVERY PRESENTATION THAT I GIVE I MAKE SURE TO ADVISE THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THEM. AS THE GOVERNMENT OUR JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT WE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR PEOPLE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TO MAKE A GOOD LIVING, GET A GOOD EDUCATION AND MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH BUT IT IS ALL FOR NAUGHT IF WE SEEK INVESTORS AND CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT BUT OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT PREPARED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. THIS IS WHY THE CREATION OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY, WHICH WAS ALSO ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, IS SO IMPORTANT.
THIS MID YEAR BUDGET SHOULD PROVE TO ALL THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS ON THE RIGHT PATH. WE ARE WORKING HARD FOR THIS COUNTRY WHICH ALL OF US, NO MATTER
WHICH SIDE OF THE AISLE WE SIT, LOVE DEARLY. THIS CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION LEFT A BUDGET SURPLUS OF $25 MILLION WHEN WE LEFT OFFICE IN 2007 SO OUR ABILITY TO REVIVE OUR ECONOMY SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE. LIKE THE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE, I TOO AM OPTIMISTIC OF THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY AND I INVITE THOSE ON THE SIDE OPPOSITE AND CITIZENS GENERALLY TO JOIN US AS WE BETTER THE BAHAMAS AND BETTER THE LIVES OF BAHAMIANS. MR. SPEAKER, THIS YEAR IS SO IMPORTANT. IT IS A YEAR OF TRANSITION. WE ARE TURNING THE CORNER MR. SPEAKER. WE SHOULD ALL BE REMINDED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER SAID IN HIS BUDGET COMMUNICATION TO THIS PLACE, “THIS IS A PIVOTAL BUDGET IN THE HISTORY OF OUR SMALL NATION. IT IS A BUDGET THAT SECURES THE FUTURE FOR ALL BAHAMIANS.” MR SPEAKER, THE SIDE OPPOSITE CONTENDS THAT WE ARE BIG ON TALK BUT NOT BIG ON ACTION. IT’S ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO VISION MR. SPEAKER. WHEN THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MEMBER SPOKE ABOUT THIS YEAR AND OUR EFFORTS DURING THIS BUDGET SECURING THE FUTURE FOR ALL BAHAMIANS, HE MEANT THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD LAY THE GROUND WORK FOR ADDRESSING SOME CRITICAL ISSUES, LIKE THE COUNTRY’S FOOD SECURITY, AND WE CAN ALL SEE THAT BEING MATERIALISED IN THE CREATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF BAMSI.
MR. SPEAKER, HE ALSO MEANT THAT DURING THIS BUDGET YEAR, HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO FOCUS ON ENERGY SECURITY. HENCE THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ENERGY SECTOR
LIBERALIZATION
EXERCISE,
WHICH
IS
UNDERWAY.
THIS
EXERCISE WILL RESULT IN ENERGY SECTOR REFORM, HAS ALREADY LED TO THE GOVERNMENT COMMITTING TO 30% OF ITS ENERGY BEING PRODUCED FROM RENEWABLES BY 2030 AND
COMMITTING
TO
A
RESIDENTIAL
ENERGY
SELF
GENERATING PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR GRIDTIE CONNECTION THIS YEAR. IN ADDITION, BEC UNDER THE MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP OF THE MEMBER OF TALL PINES HAS REDUCED THE COST OF ELECTRICTY BY 10% FROM 42 CENTS PER KWH TO 36 CENTS. ACTION MR. SPEAKER. NOT TALK! ACTION. THIS ADMINISTRATION IS NOT AFRAID TO TACKLE THE BIG ISSUES, LIKE FOOD SECURITY, ENERGY SECURITY, NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, OWNERSHIP OF OUR AIRSPACE AND TAKING BACK THE MAJORITY BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN BTC FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS OF THE BAHAMAS. WE ARE THE PLP, MR. SPEAKER. WE DEVELOPED THE MODERN BAHAMAS. WE LED THE COUNTRY INTO INDEPENDENCE WHEN OTHERS SHOUTED “NOT NOW”. WE BELIEVED, WHILE OTHERS DOUBTED THE CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE. WE CREATED NATIONAL INSURANCE, WHEN OTHERS SAID NO. IT”S AMAZING, WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOW THE SIDE OPPOSITE EXPLOITED THE RESOURCES OF NIB, BUT THEY NEVER THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE CREATED.
MR. SPEAKER, DESPITE WHAT THE MEMBER FOR LONG ISLAND AND HER DEPUTY THE MEMBER FOR KILLARNEY MAY THINK, THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE IN THEIR COLLECTIVE DECISION OF MAY 7TH, 2012 TO FIRE THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND RETAIN THE SERVICES OF THE PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY WAS A GOOD ONE. THIS GOVERNMENT IS WORKING AND THE BAHAMIAN
PEOPLE
WILL
REAP
THE
BENEFITS
OF
THE
TRANSFORMATIVE AND POSITIVE POLICIES AND INITIATIVES OF THIS GOVERNMENT. MR. SPEAKER, THE SIDE OPPOSITE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT INCOMPETENCE. THEY TALK ABOUT ‘FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVERS”. WELL I HAVE TO ASK, WHO’s FRIEND IS COASTLINE CONSTRUCTION?. WHO’S FAMILY IS BAHAMAS HOT MIX? WHO’S LOVER IS KENNUTHS ‘PULL THE SAME WIRE OVER AND OVER AGAIN’ ELECTRIC? WHO MR. SPEAKER? TALKING ABOOUT FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVERS! MR. SPEAKER, THE SIDE OPPOSITE LEFT A MOUNTAIN OF DEBT AND A PEOPLE IN DESPAIR. ONE OF OUR FIRST ACTS, MR. SPEAKER WAS COVERING A DEFICIT OF OVER FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($500,000,000) EVEN AFTER THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION BORROWED ALMOST TWO BILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000,000) BETWEEN 2007 AND 2012. THAT WAS THEIR DEFICIT MR. SPEAKER. THEY RAN UP THE BILLS AND THEN WOULD NOT PAY THEM. THEN THEY HAVE THE GAUL TO COME
IN THIS PLACE AND TALK ABOUT INCOMPETENCE.
MR.
SPEAKER, THEY CAN’T BE SERIOUS…SURELY NOT MR. SPEAKER! MR.
SPEAKER,
BAHAMIANS
TEND
TO
FORGET
QUICKLY.
THEREFORE, AS A SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE IT IS MY DUTY TO REMIND THEM OF CERTAIN FACTS SO THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND, WHY WE ARE IN THE MESS WE ARE IN AND WHY IT HAS TAKEN A WHILE FOR THE PLP TO GET US OUT OF THE MESS. MR. SPEAKER, THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION, LEFT TWENTY THREE MILLION ($23,000,000.00) OWED FOR THE FIFTY TWO (52) WEEK PROGRAMME;
THEY LEFT SIXTY THREE MILLION
($63,000,000.00) IN UNPAID CHEQUES; THEY LEFT ALMOST ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS ($11,000,000.00) OWED TO THE TEACHER'S AND PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS. MR. SPEAKER, THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN DEFICITS THAT WE MET UPON TAKING OFFICE. WE ALSO MET ALL OF THE SHORT TERM FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT MAXED OUT; THIS INCLUDES CENTRAL BANK ADVANCES AND BANK OVERDRAFTS.
BUT
NONETHELESS THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE CAN REST ASSURED THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO WASTE. YOU, LONG ISLAND MADE THE MESS; YOU KILLARNEY, MADE THIS MESS; YOU CENTRAL GRAND BAHAMA PUT US IN THIS MESS; ALL OF YOU ARE COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
TRANSGRESSIONS OF THE FORMER FNM GOVERNMENT. BUT TAKE COMFORT HONOURABLE MEMBERS, BECAUSE WE WERE HIRED TO FIX THE MESS AND FIX IT WE WILL!!! MR. SPEAKER, I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN NOW, THE ENVIRONMENT OF OUR NATION IS OUR GREATEST BLESSING. WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH GREAT LANDSCAPES, BEAUTIFUL
MARINE
LIFE,
BLUE
HOLES,
CORAL
REEFS,
INDIGENOUS TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS AND MUCH MORE. I HAVE GROWN TO APPRECIATE THE RICHNESS OF THE BAHAMIAN ENVIRONMENT MORE NOW THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE. I CAN SAY WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION THAT THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRIES THAT THE ALMIGHTY CREATED.
WE
HAVE A COUNTRY OF MANY ISLANDS EACH ONE WITH ITS OWN UNIQUENESS AND CHARM. WE MUST ZEALOUSLY PROTECT THAT WHICH WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH FOR THE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE MR. SPEAKER, IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAD A DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP 19) AND MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL (CMP 9) IN WARSAW,
POLAND. A KEY ISSUE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE CONFERENCE WAS THE ISSUE OF LOSS AND DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS MADE ON THIS ISSUE AT THE CONFERENCE HELD IN DOHA, QATAR THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHERE A DECISION WAS TAKEN TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL MECHANISM [MEANING A FINANCIAL MECHANISM] TO ADDRESS LOSS AND DAMAGE. I ALONG WITH THREE (3) OTHER MINISTERS OF ENVIRONMENT FROM THE ALLIANCE OF SMALL ISLAND STATES ARE LED NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE DEVELOPED COUNTRY PARTIES, SEEKING "CONCRETE DECISIONS" TO ADDRESS LOSS AND DAMAGE. THE BAHAMIAN DELEGATION WAS INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE UNFCCC BUDGET, FINANCING FOR THE BAHAMAS TO ATTEND FUTURE MEETINGS AND THE ISSUE OF LOSS AND DAMAGE, WHICH HAS BEEN RAISED BY AOSIS MEMBER COUNTRIES, LOW-INCOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND THE G77 PLUS CHINA. THE BAHAMAS ALSO CHAIRED THE GROUP OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN AT THE CONFERENCE AND COORDINATED ELECTIONS IN THE MARGINS OF THE CONFERENCE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A PRODUCTIVE YEAR WE HAVE JOINTED THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY WE
HAVE
APPLIED
FOR
ACCESSION
TO
THE
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY THE BAHAMAS NOW CHAIRS THE UNITED NATIONS COALITION ON SHARKS
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND PROTECTION LEGISLATION PETROLEUM ACT PETROLEUM REGULATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL PETROLEUM REGULATIONS VEHICLES EMISSIONS REGULATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE – Article No. 3 THE
DEPARTMENT
OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH
SERVICES THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (DEHS) IN PARTICULAR HAS HAD THEIR HANDS FULL TRYING TO BRING SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF OUR COUNTRY'S AGE OLD ISSUES.
ONE OF THOSE ISSUES IS THAT OF THE TIMELY
COLLECTION OF GARBAGE.
AS I HAVE SAID PUBLICLY ON
NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN THIS PLACE AND ELSEWHERE WHEN WE CAME TO OFFICE THE GOVERNMENT'S FLEET OF GARBAGE TRUCKS WAS IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR. AT THAT TIME LESS THAN HALF OF THE TRUCKS WERE OPERATIONAL. THIS BEING THE CASE WE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION OF HOW WE WERE GOING TO COLLECT RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE WHILE WE ASSESS AND CONDUCT RESEARCH IN ORDER FOR THE CABINET OF THE COUNTRY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON
THE WAY FORWARD. AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE AND PILOT THE DECISION WAS MADE FOR THE DEHS TO CONTRACT PRIVATE COMPANIES TO AUGMENT THE COLLECTION OF RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE. NINE PRIVATE COMPANIES WERE AWARDED MONTH TO MONTH CONTRACTS RENEWABLE AT THAT FREQUENCY. THE CONTRACTS ARE RENEWED BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND THE DISCRETION OF THE DEHS AS PER THE CONTRACT.
AS A RESULT OF THE WORK DONE TO ASSIGN ROUTES TO THESE PRIVATE COMPANIES TO COVER THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF NEW PROVIDENCE THE DEHS FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME WAS ABLE TO PUBLISH A GARBAGE COLLECTION SCHEDULE FOR THE ISLAND OF NEW PROVIDENCE WHICH WAS RELEASED THROUGH THE LOCAL MEDIA AND ONLINE. THIS SCHEDULE WAS DEVISED BY CONSTITUENCY, POLLING DIVISION, DAY OF THE WEEK AND TIME OF DAY. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME THERE IS A REFERENCE FOR CITIZENS TO KNOW WHEN THEIR GARBAGE IS SCHEDULED TO BE COLLECTED THAT THEY CAN ADEQUATELY PREPARE THEIR TRASH FOR COLLECTION. AS WITH ANY OTHER NEW SYSTEM WE ARE HAVING SOME ISSUES BUT I AM PLEASE THUS FAR WITH THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN THIS REGARD BY THE DEHS.
BULK WASTE – 1.4 MILLION POUNDS OF GARBAGE NEW WEIGHBRIDGES-OUTSOURCING COLLECTION
MATERIAL RECYCLING FACILITY FAMILY ISLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL LEVY FUND TIPPING FEES TO BE INCREASED NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCLAVE MR. SPEAKER, RECENTLY MY MINISTRY HOSTED THE BAHAMAS' FIRST NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCLAVE WHERE BAHAMIANS GATHERED TO DISCUSS MATTERS PERTAINING TO OUR ENVIRONMENT. THE CONCLAVE WAS A THREE DAY EVENT HELD AT SUPERCLUBS BREEZES AND WAS ATTENDED BY ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PRESERVATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT. I AM VERY PROUD THAT MY MINISTRY WAS ABLE TO HOST SUCH A MEETING OF THE MINDS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I THOUGHT THE TIME HAD COME FOR SUCH AN EVENT TO TAKE PLACE IS FOR THERE TO BE CONSENSUS ARRIVED AT BY STAKEHOLDERS ON THE WAY FORWARD THAT WOULD NOT BE HAMPERED BY OR PINNED TO THE FIVE YEAR ELECTION CYCLE. THE CONCLAVE WAS ADDRESSED BY VARIOUS SPEAKERS REPRESENTING ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE BAHAMAS NATIONAL TRUST, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND THE BEST COMMISSION. I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THE NATURE CONSERVANCY FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN ASSISTING US IN MAKING THE CONCLAVE A REALITY. HOUSING MR. SPEAKER
I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TO THIS PLACE THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S HOUSING PROGRAMME HAS BEGUN WITH CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES. AS WAS WIDELY REPORTED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED BETWEEN MY MINISTRY AND THE NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARD TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE BUILDING OF NEW HOMES. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR A FIRST TRANCHE OF TEN MILLION DOLLARS TO BE DISPERSED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. MY MINISTRY IS IN RECEIPT OF THE FIRST PAYMENT OF TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND HAVE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES. I KNOW MANY OF OUR CITIZENS ARE HAPPY TO HEAR THIS NEWS AS IT WILL PROVIDE JOBS FOR THOSE WHO WORK IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED INVENTORY FOR THOSE BAHAMIANS WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND HAVE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING ON THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME TO BEGIN. WE INTEND TO BUILD ABOUT ONE HUNDRED TWENTY HOMES WITH THE FUNDS PROVIDED TO US AND HAVE BEGUN IN THE AREA OF STRACHAN'S HILL.
MR. SPEAKER
WHILE WAITING ON THE FUNDS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION MY MINISTRY WAS BUSY MODERNIZING THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR GOVERNMENT BUILT HOMES. THERE WERE TOO MANY INSTANCES OF LOST OR DESTROYED FILES DUE TO OFFICE MOVES AND MOLD ETC. WE HAD THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING DATABASE CREATED AND HAVE BEEN USING IT SUCCESSFULLY FOR A WHILE NOW. INSTEAD
OF COMING TO THE OFFICE OF THE DOH TO FILL OUT A PAPER APPLICATION, PERSONS WITH ACCESS TO A COMPUTER OR OTHER DEVICE WITH INTERNET CONNECTION CAN SIMPLY APPLY ONLINE AND UPLOAD THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ON THEIR OWN. WE ARE HOWEVER PROVIDING HELP AT THE OFFICE FOR THOSE CITIZENS THAT DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER OR INTERNET ACCESS. WE HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF APPROVED BUILDERS WHO OF COURSE WILL BE GRANTED CONTRACTS ON A MERITORIOUS BASIS. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BUILD HOMES THAT NEED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS SHORTLY AFTER BEING BUILT. THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THE PUBLIC PURSE OR THE HOMEOWNER WHO WOULD HAVE TAKEN OUT LOANS IN ORDER TO PURCHASE THESE HOMES. UNDER MY WATCH WE WILL GIVE THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE VALUE FOR MONEY.
MR. SPEAKER, THE FNM STARTED CONSTRUCTION OF 566 HOMES DURING 2007-2012. OUT OF WHICH 450 WERE COMPLETED BY MAY, 2012. THERE WAS NO INFRASTRUCTURE AND NO SUBDIVISION APPROVAL. WE’VE BEEN COMPLETING WHAT THEY FAILED TO COMPLETE OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS. WE DID COMPLETED THE NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE AND OBTAINED SUBDIVISION APPROVALS. UNLIKE THEM, WE ARE NOT BREAKING THE LAW. MR. SPEAKER,
I HAVE SOUGHT TO GIVE YOU, COLLEAGUES AND THE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC A SNAP SHOT OF SOME OF THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE WITHIN MY MINISTRY SINCE THE LAST BUDGET DEBATE. WE HAVE NOT SHIED AWAY FROM TACKLING THE HARD ISSUES AND HAVE KEPT THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE ABREAST EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. I WILL OF COURSE HAVE A FULL REPORT FOR THIS PARLIAMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY AT THE NEXT BUDGET DEBATE. BAHAMIANS CAN REST ASSURED THAT THIS MINISTRY AND THE STAFF OF MY MINISTRY, ITS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES ARE WORKING ON THEIR BEHALF. WE HAVE HAD THE SAME CHALLENGES AS OTHER MINISTRIES WITH BUDGET CONSTRAINTS BUT AS OTHERS HAVE WE HAVE CORRECTED ORGANIZATIONAL INEFFICIENCIES AND TAKEN OTHER MEASURES NECESSARY TO GIVE THE BEST SERVICE TO THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE. MR. SPEAKER, ON THE ISSUE OF TACKLING THE HARD ISSUES, I JUST WISH TO SHARE A FEW WORDS WITH MY FELLOW BAHAMIANS THROUGH YOU. I AM NOT SPEAKING AS A CABINET MINISTER BUT AS A VOICE OF THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN SHORES AND A PROUD SON OF THIS SOIL. MR. SPEAKER, I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW, THAT I AM PROUD OF MY PARTY. I AM PROUD OF ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION WHO SERVE IN THIS PLACE, THE OTHER PLACE AND IN THE CONSTITUENCIES THROUGHOUT ORU BELOVED BAHAMAS. MR. SPEAKER, THIS PARTY HAS DECIDED THAT IT WILL NOT CONDUCT BUSINESS AS USUAL, SO WE ARE TAKING ON THE HARD ISSUES HEAD ON!
1.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING ISSUE. I AM SO PROUD OF THE WORK BEING ADVANCED BY MY COLLEAGUE THE MEMBER FOR YAMACRAW AND HER TEAM. SHE SHOULD ALSO BE COMMENDED FOR THE SOCIAL SAFETY NE REFORM PROGRAMME.
2.
ENERGY SECURITY
3.
FOOD SECURITY
4.
TAX REFORM - NO. 6 – DIVERSIFICATION OF TAX REVENUE AND BASE.
5.
WEB SHOP REGULATION – NO. 7 [RYAN PINDER’S QUOTE]
6.
CONTROL OR MANAGEMENT OF BAHAMIAN AIRSPACE. ENCOURAGE THE MEMBER FOR ENGLERSTON TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
7.
THE ADVANCEMENT OF A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR STEM CELL THERAPY, CREATING TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BAHAMIANS IN SCIENCE AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE MEDICAL TOURISM – PARKINSONS
8.
THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS FACILITIES, PROGRAMMES AND CREATING LINKAGES, WE ARE ALSO MAKING SPORTS TOURISM A REALITY. YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD THE MEMBER FOR CENTREVILLE TALK ABOUT ‘SPORTES IN PARADISE’;
WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE NATIONAL DISCUSSION ON THREE KEY AREAS AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED MR. SPEAKER:
1. THE FUTURE OF OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY MR. SPEAKER.
2. WE NEED TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT WEALTH CREATION FOR BAHAMIANS AND IN PARTICULAR WEALTH CREATION THROUGH LAND REFORM – BUMI PUTRA/GENERATION LAND/COMMONAGE/LAND USE/SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
3. WE MUST ALSO DISCUSS PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM. THE CIVIL SERVICE MUST BECOME A MERITOCRACY AND THERE MUST BE CONSEQUENCES FOR PERSONS’ ACTION OR INACTION.
I AM PROUD TO BE APART OF THIS ADMINISTRATION LED BY THE MEMBER OF CENTREVILLE. WE ARE DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THE OUR ECONOMY TURNS AROUND AND THAT OUR PEOPLE PROSPER. THOSE ON THE SIDE OPPOSITE CAN SAY WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY LIKE BUT THE FACTS AND FIGURES PROVE THAT THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ON MAY 7TH, 2012.
MR. SPEAKER, I SUPPORT THE MID-YEAR BUDGET STATEMENT AND THE TWO BILLS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS.