Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is expected to spend some time today challenging aspects of the 2005/2006 budget which he did not have time to challenge due to the limited hour in which he had to speak last Thursday afternoon as a result of new House of Assembly rules.
House members intend to pass the new spending plan before the end of today.
In his contribution to the debate, Mr. Ingraham declared that the successes built on the FNM’s effort are “brazenly” placed in the governing party’s column of economic achievements.
“I do not begrudge them these successes; indeed I applaud them,” the former PM said. “On a personal level, I feel vindicated; vindicated that attacks upon me and my government for actively seeking, pursuing and attracting international investments were grounded in envy not policy differences.”
He added, “I do not begrudge the fact that the confidence which my government restored continues to attract investors to our land. Economic progress in the country is good for the Bahamian people, and that alone is my interest – helping to make it better for Bahamians in The Bahamas.”
Mr. Ingraham also said that he was satisfied that the present government “even while protesting to the contrary, continued, albeit inconsistently and tardily, the investment policies left in place by the FNM.”
“Indeed,” he said, “it is difficult to determine the extent to which their budgetary allocations are fundamentally different from that of the FNM.”
Noting that success based upon the laurels of a former government will only take the country so far, the former prime minister cautioned that the government must become focused.
“It cannot continue to delegate, nay abdicate, its responsibility when it comes to making difficult decisions; it must not allow special interests and personal interests to drive its decisions,” he warned
“There are differences between consultation and conclusion; delegation and decision-making. “I am pleased that many in government have publicly, at least, traded in their tirades while in opposition against foreign investment and transformed them into a plush red carpet from which they are offering The Bahamas to foreign investors.
“Indeed, they who went to indecent lengths to instill in the minds of Bahamians fear and suspicion of foreign investment during the 1990’s are now engaged in some instances, in the wholesale delivery of Bahamian land to untested and untried investors.”
Mr. Ingraham then spoke directly about the much-touted Cable Beach redevelopment deal.
“During the last budget debate I volunteered no objection to the proposed sale and redevelopment of the Cable Beach hotel properties. I did not know then that this was to be a give away for a property development project that would bring scant new and additional hotel rooms to New Providence, but instead upscale residences, condominiums and time share units,” said the former prime minister, while stressing that the FNM welcomes investment.
But he questioned whether it was necessary to sell so much of the government’s interest in Cable Beach, including: the Gaming Board and Development Bank properties located near Goodman’s Bay; the only Bahamian-owned golf course in New Providence; the Cable Beach median; a portion of West Bay Street; and the water corporation’s well-field lands.
“I do not accept that it is necessary to convey hundreds of acres of Crown Land – water bearing land, public roads, a golf course, government offices and police station and beach front property,” Mr. Ingraham added.
“I do not question the purported purchase price of $45 million. I question the use to which the purchase price may be put. Any expenditure of these funds when received, other than settlement of Hotel Corporation indebtedness ought to be paid to the Treasury.”
He indicated that while prime minister, he turned down a $45 million offer for the Radisson Cable Beach Resort alone.
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
