Democratic National Branville McCartney government’s list of 100-day pledges was a political play that many Bahamians fell for.
“The PLP did a job convincing the Bahamian people that they had all the answers prior to the election,” said McCartney during an interview at his law office.
“Certainly their campaign was based on ‘Believe in The Bahamas; Believe in Bahamians’. They issued this 100 day challenge for themselves.”
He continued, “Certain things have not happened within the first 100 days [and] let’s be real, certain things cannot happen within 100 days.”
McCartney said the government spent the last few days leading up the 100-day mark mentioning certain promises and nothing more.
“What the PLP did was they spoke about certain things that’s in their plan, but of course if you read their 100-day plan, for instance it says provide details for a referendum on a national lottery and gambling in The Bahamas. We do not have that. We only have that there will be a referendum.”
McCartney also commended the government’s efforts to assist homeowners on the brink of foreclosure in the form of its mortgage relief plan revealed in the House of Assembly last week, but said, “Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to have any great impact as presently constituted.
“It probably will affect no more than five to seven percent of persons who are suffering today under foreclosures.
“Really, what must be done is the lowering of interest rates. That must take effect.”
According to Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis, 1,100 Bahamians will likely qualify for the plan.
In order to participate in the plan, applicants must occupy a primary residence; the mortgage must have originated prior to January 2009; the outstanding mortgage amount cannot exceed $500,000 and the applicant has to have had an acceptable credit history prior to June 30, 2008 according to the government.
By Travis Cartwright-Carroll,
The Nassau Guardian
