Mr. Grant was one of several speakers at a Free National Movement rally in New Providence, during which the governing Progressive Liberal Party was given a failing grade of ‘F’ for its three-year term in office.
“I am advised that unemployment in Grand Bahama is nearing some 19 percent,” said Mr. Grant. “It is frightening to think that one out of every five persons you see who are able to work is unemployed.”
When the FNM was the governing party, Mr. Grant said the unemployment figure was down to some seven percent, but “in three short years, this rudderless, unfocused, do nothing Government has allowed the unemployment in Grand Bahama to rise to some 19 percent.”
“I give them an ‘F’ for failing to provide the jobs and employment promised,” Mr. Grant said.
To corroborate his statistics, Mr. Grant referred to the current Royal Oasis Resort dilemma, describing it as a disaster.
“The Royal Oasis is a disaster in itself,” the Lucaya MP said. “They owe the Government $2.5 million in National Insurance and another $14 million in casino taxes for a total of $15.5 million.”
Noting that the owner of the resort also owes the Pension Fund $4.1 million, Mr. Grant declared, “They took employees’ money and did not pay the financial institutions; they did not pay the banks!”
He suggested that charges need to be brought against the directors of Royal Oasis for their acts of dishonesty.
“With Royal Oasis owing National Insurance $2.5 million, National Insurance does not have the moral authority to prosecute the small Bahamian businesses,” Mr. Grant said, adding that people are hurting and are “losing their cars and their homes.”
“Some two-and-a-half months ago Minister of Works Bradley ‘Big Bad Brad’ Roberts came to town and told the employees that the Government was going to pay them what they were owed,” Mr. Grant said.
This total was some $8.4 million, noted Mr. Grant, adding: “He boasted ‘we will pay 25 percent now, 25 percent in 90 days, and the balance in 120 days.'”
“Well 120 days are nearing and not one red cent has been paid,” stated Mr. Grant. “And to make matters worse, the Minister of Labour on Wednesday past in Parliament said that they have been advised that the Government can only pay out $5 million!”
Noting that this means there is a shortfall of $3.4 million, Mr. Grant said this was “another clear demonstration that this Government is unfocused and very disorganized.”
“Obviously they did not do their research, did not Ts and dot the Is,” he said. “They promised to start payment in a week or two! Well, a week has passed and nothing has happened. I suppose we shall wait for another week and weeks to follow.”
Mr. Grant gave the Government another ‘F’ on their handling of the Royal Oasis disaster! The Royal Oasis Resort closed two weeks after the September 2004 hurricanes.
“Frances and Jeanne did much damage to Grand Bahama, but the aftermath as a result of the action of this Government is worse,” Mr. Grant said. “People to whom help is being offered are finding themselves in serious problems, because they have failed to hire professionals to head the Hurricane Relief programmes,.”
The Lucaya MP claimed that funds are being wasted.
“They have a retired teacher, a retired broker and a retired hospitality impostor heading the programmes,” he said. “It is my understanding that there are some 12 to 14 paid individuals on this project. They are wasting funds on salaries instead of spending the money on the much needed repairs.”
During the period following the devastation by these two hurricanes, Mr. Grant alleged that FNMs were discriminated against in the distribution of hurricane relief supplies and food.
“There are numerous reports and allegations of irregularities in the distribution of hurricane supplies,” the Lucaya MP charged. “The Minister of Housing himself admitted that something was wrong, but he has yet to report on what action is being taken on those persons who would have deprived hurting people for the benefit of themselves. We are told that there is an audit being conducted as it relates to BNEMA, but as we speak in Grand Bahama there are allegations of irregularities with huge bills for accommodations and transportation related bills.”
The Government was given a third ‘F’ for what they allowed to be done to innocent and hurting people, who suffered from the ravages of Frances and Jeanne.
Mr. Grant also blamed the Government for overcrowding at the two Government high schools, and demanded that they give an account for the $3 million available for the construction of a Junior High School in Grand Bahama.
“There is much violence in our high schools,” he said. “It has taken place at Eight Mile Rock High and St. Georges. Just weeks ago some seven young men had to go before the Courts.”
Referring to Attorney General and Minister of Education Alfred Sears, Mr. Grant noted that one PLP Minister has responsibility of two important portfolios and “as a result, both are suffering.”
“But after the Government’s many failed promises, whenever the bell rings, as the Phoenix rose from the ashes, so will Grand Bahama rise from the rubbles of Hurricanes Frances and this do nothing Government,” predicted Mr. Grant. “Whenever the bell rings, Grand Bahamians will answer and return to FNM Country again and contribute greatly to ridding our beloved Bahamas of the nightmare that we have been facing for over three years.
“How long, Lord, how long? Two years or less!”
By BARBARA WALKIN, Senior FN Reporter
