The Free National Movement (FNM) said yesterday that 2015 will go down as a "tough and challenging" year and blamed the Christie administration of creating much of the "chaos" over the past 12 months.
"Under Christie's poor leadership and governance, Bahamians are literally living in fear and misery," the FNM said in a statement. They are fearful of crime and violence in the face of a record-breaking year of murders. Incidentally, and most disgracefully, Christie continues to announce upcoming strategies and initiatives to combat the increased levels of crime.
"Nearly two months after his first announcement, we have yet to see the implementation of any such initiatives. Sadly, Cabinet ministers are also publicly attacking the leadership of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and blaming them for crime. "In the meantime, blood continues to pour on our streets and fear continues to paralyze our population."
Up to yesterday, the murder count was 143, the highest in recorded history. The previous record, of 127 murders was recorded under the Ingraham administration in 2011. Besides failing to deal with crime, the FNM said the Christie administration has also failed to boost the economy and keep many of the promises the Progressive Liberal Party made while on the campaign trail.
The FNM said Christie's optimism on the Baha Mar issue has also failed to translate into any real resolution. Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy in June. The project has been stalled since then.
"While more than 2,000 Bahamians remain unemployed at Baha Mar, the king of shuffling, plenty talk and no action, continues selling pipe dreams about the completion and opening of the Cable Beach resort," the party said.
"However, former board members of Baha Mar provided us with the true facts regarding the government's missteps in the Baha Mar negotiations. While the prime minister sells fantasies and promises of relief on the horizon, thousands of Bahamians will not be merry and will have no Christmas."
Pointing to the imposition of value-added tax (VAT) on January 1, the FNM said even employed Bahamians will feel the pinch this Christmas.
"VAT has burdened poor Bahamians by decimating their disposable incomes," the statement said. "Undoubtedly, VAT has forced Bahamians to cut back on their usual discretionary spending. This altered consumer behavior is producing a devastating impact on the Bahamian economy.
"Even further, VAT is beginning to turn the middle class into the working poor. Despite the negative effects to the finances of many Bahamians, Mr. Christie celebrates the hundreds of millions collected from VAT by arrogantly refusing to account to the Bahamian people on how those millions are being spent."
The FNM said it would repeal VAT on a number of critical items, including electricity, health insurance and breadbasket items. The opposition also accused Christie of rushing to implement National Health Insurance (NHI) against sound advice.
"To date, Mr. Christie has yet to provide vital information about the program, its costs to the Bahamian taxpayer, or its governing legislation," the statement said. "This behavior is both typical and characteristic of the prime minister's style of governance: zero accountability and zero transparency."
The government will roll out NHI on January 1. The FNM branded the season as the "bleak Christmas caused by Christie".
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