Remarks By Bradley B Roberts National Chair Progressive Liberal Party March 17th 2012 Gold Rush Launch of the Pineridge and Central Grand Bahama Constituencies

I am honoured to be here tonight to lend my strong support to Senator Dr Michael Darville and Julian Bedell Russell, both men of proven ability and exemplary leadership qualities.

Of course, we are extremely proud of the entire slate of outstanding candidates we have offered to you here in Grand Bahama, but tonight the focus is on helping Dr. Darville defeat Kwasi Thompson in Pineridge and on assisting Julian Russell in sending Minister of Works Neko Grant into retirement with a decisive victory in Central Grand Bahama.

All things being considered, the task ahead for both Dr. Darville and Julian should not be that difficult, if the shameful manner in which both of these Members of Parliament remained absolutely silent while Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham introduced harsh policies that crippled Grand Bahama's economy, creating untold hardship and suffering for their constituents over the past almost five years.

But unquestionably, Neko Grant's reputation nationally as the worst Minister of Works in the history of ministerial government in this country should erase any thought of sending him back to the House from the minds of constituents of Central Grand Bahama.

Neko's handling of the vexing New Providence Road Improvement Program in New Providence has been an embarrassing absolute nightmare.

Neko Grant told the public that the road works would be completed on time and there would be minimal discomfort and inconvenience to the public turned out to be a big fat nasty lie. Virtually from day one roads were dug up all over the place and numerous small, medium and large businesses have suffered greatly and many forced to shut their doors because of the poor management and oversight of the road works project.

You would have heard that the project was originally estimated to cost around $113 million, but it is now estimated that it will now cost in excess of $206 million because of the incompetence of Hubert Ingraham, Neko Grant and the entire FNM government. That's more than $93 million in cost overruns. That's more than 82 percent of the original estimate. And they still do not have a clear idea of when this dreadful project will be completed.

All this has happened with Neko Grant as Minister of Works. As a former Minister of Works myself, I think this is absolutely scandalous and the stench of corruption hangs over the head of every FNM Cabinet Minister as there were all fully aware that Brent Symonette "the poster boy for greed" was a shareholder in Bahamas Hotmix Ltd.

Of course, the political track record of Neko Grant is well known to you the people of Grand Bahama. Prior to 2007, Grant was not even a member of Ingraham's inner circle. In fact, I am told that Ingraham totally despised Grant who in turn openly called Ingraham the Big Head Man.

Neko and Hubert were at bitter odds until May 2007 when Ingraham brought him in from the cold and made him Minister of Tourism. The record will show that Neko Grant was a massive failure as Minister of Tourism and the decline of tourism in Grand Bahama continues as I speak.

Yet Ingraham made him Minister of Works, knowing that he was not up to the task of running such an important ministry.

However, Ingraham was in the process of finally getting his revenge by refusing to give Grant a nomination to run in Grand Bahama. In fact, Grant was on the top of Ingraham's "hit list."

This was before Housing Minister Kenneth Russell, the MP for High Rock, was fired and called Ingraham as a "tyrant" and "dictator."

It has been speculated that Ingraham decided not to send Grant into retirement to spite Russell, who had been one of his closest political allies and gofer. My Brothers and Sisters, you the voters in Central Grand Bahama now have the opportunity to do what Ingraham changed his mind about doing.

The choice for you is very clear. Julian Russell is an exemplary candidate. He comes from among you, having been born in the settlement of Russell Town, Eight Mile Rock. Professionally, he is the first Grand Bahamian to qualify as a Certified Public Accountant.

When elected, unlike Neko Grant who did not open his mouth as Ingraham punished Grand Bahama, Julian Russell will play an important role in restoring jobs and prosperity to Grand Bahama and ensuring that the interest of Bahamians will come first.

The same is true of Dr. Michael Darville who well known to Grand Bahama but to Abaco and the Cays as a caring Doctor with a big heart not consumed with making money but the welfare and interest of the Bahamian people.. As a Senator he has laid bare the many issues which confront the people of Pineridge and Grand Bahama and has offered solutions which have fallen on deaf ears.

Grand Bahama you will recall earlier that I mentioned in addition to the almost $100 million rip-off on the New Providence Road Works Ingraham has spent so much of the people's money on Abaco that there is nothing left in the treasury for you. This is selfish and wrong. A new government complex; a new Aerodrome and tower; a new Dock at Coopers Town; a new Bridge; a never ending new power plant and promised to sign a contract for the construction of a new hospital by the end of this month. But what has he done for you here in Grand Bahama? Papa Clown has neglected you!

Imagine a PAPA sharing his estate with his children. First, he keeps a large portion for himself then shares the balance with some of his children. How would the children feel who were left out of the inheritance?

Well Grand Bahama you are one the children left out and rejected by PAPA. Bahamians on every family island pay their share of taxes like everybody else and are equally entitled to the funds in the public treasury to support their growth and development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, if I was neglected by Papa Clown and the FNM I would slam the door in their faces when they approach me for my support. And just as they refused to support your growth and development Grand Bahama, you should return the favor and slam the door in their faces.

That is why we are depending on you, the voters in Central Grand Bahama and Pineridge, to elect them Dr. Darville and Julian Russell to the PLP team who will assist incoming Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie in implementing the well-thought-out plans and programs the PLP have to get The Bahamas headed in the right direction again and placing the interest of Bahamians first.

A new PLP Government is ready to hit the ground running on Day One after the general election to begin restoring good governance to the country and will insure that the interest of Bahamians will be first.

Vote PLP All the Way.

Thank you, my brothers and sisters, and Good Night.

PLP!!! PLP!!! PLP!!