With two years left in this term, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday he is refocusing his efforts to deliver a mortgage relief plan that works. Christie said governments are expected to face the key issues and address them "honestly and sincerely".
"As I take my seat, I do so with the absolute confidence that we have not shirked the big issues," said the prime minister, who spoke during a service at Mount Tabor Church where the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) observed its third anniversary in office.
"And even when it comes to them debating about we didn't do mortgage relief, to this very day, right now, this afternoon, I am going to be focusing on it because the banks and the government were not truly aware of the extent to which it is problem; the extent to which Bahamians are going home each month with no money in their pockets because they have borrowed themselves out and there is no rule or law to stop them from doing so."
In January, Christie said in the House of Assembly the government has not given up on its failed mortgage relief plan. A watered down version of its original plan was projected to assist 1,110 homeowners. But when it was implemented the program helped fewer than 10, officials admitted. Christie proclaimed yesterday that the Bahamian people need leadership that is connected "to the needs of the people".
The prime minister said in two weeks he will present a budget communication in Parliament and "I can tell you that we are going to be dealing with some hard issues".
"It is important that we reach out to people who are most in need in the country, and in doing so, we know that we will be serving in the best interest of Christian spirit," he said. "In all of the circumstances it is so important that we set the right example for the people of this country; taking it all in consideration, the bitter with the sweet, adversity and triumph.
"Draw the line, add it all up, and it is going to be that God has placed us in the right country, and that we are living at the right time, and that each of us, as Bahamians, is expected to do the right thing."
Facing challenges
As the Christie administration recognized its third year in office and touted its policy and legislative achievements, political pundits and observers noted the many unfulfilled promises, namely those made ahead of the last general election.
The Official Opposition has repeatedly pointed to promises the government made on crime, unemployment, energy reform and mortgage relief, among others. Christie has said that between 7,500 and 8,000 new jobs will be created in The Bahamas by the end of the year.
According to the most recent figures from the Department of Statistics, unemployment was recorded at 15.7 percent for November 2014, up from 14.3 percent in May 2014. According to that survey, since May 2012, 8,850 new jobs were added to the economy.
Yesterday, Christie said the government is "breaking the back" of unemployment on the Family Islands in particular. He said investors are constantly making submissions for projects and the government will ensure any project that is approved benefits the Bahamian people.
On Friday, the government signed a heads of agreement with Cotton Bay Holdings and Mine Holdings Limited for a $100 million development in Eleuthera. Officials said it will create about 300 permanent jobs and 200 construction jobs.
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