Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie applauded the work of the Salvation Army in The Bahamas and recognised those volunteering in it, especially those serving on its board, for their role in nation building.

"The Salvation Army, in its efforts worldwide, is truly known and its reputation established," Prime Minister Christie said. "We do not do a sufficiently good enough job to enable the people of our country to know the extent to which the Salvation Army contributes to the well being of our citizens who are in need, our citizens who have many challenges -- physical challenges, social challenges -- and the extent to which the Army has empowered such Bahamians to have a belief that -- notwithstanding their disabilities -- they are able to live as near to a normal life as possible."

Prime Minister Christie was addressing the Salvation Army's Bahamas Division Advisory Board's Annual Luncheon at Sapodilla Estate, on January 7, 2016. Also present as special guests were the Minister of Social Services and Community Development the Hon. Melanie Griffin, and the wife of the Prime Minister Mrs. Bernadette Christie. Among those speaking at the event on behalf of the Salvation Army were Divisional Commander Major Clarence Ingram, Director of Women's Ministries Major Karen Ingram, Divisional Secretary Major Miller Cantave, outgoing Advisory Board Chairman Mrs. Judy Munroe, incoming chairman Mr. Felix Stubbs, and board member Mrs. Maria Ferere.

"I have recently been more exposed to the workings of the Salvation Army and I have grown in appreciation of the contribution it continues to make to the strengthening of the social fabric of our nation," Prime Minister Christie stated.

He added that he applauded those persons who are in the professional arena and yet give of themselves volunteering to assist the Salvation Army, pointing to the persons who served on the advisory board.

"You are special people because you decide to give of your time, your effort, your resources, your energy, your wisdom, your experience, the sum total of all of which are desperately needed by organisations that rely upon the goodwill of the country and the goodwill of its people," Prime Minister Christie said.

Prime Minister Christie noted that land has been allocated and agreed-upon for the Salvation Army on Carmichael Road. However, he pointed out, land on Gladstone Road was allocated for a special facility for the disabled. He suggested to the Salvation Army officials present that they might want to revisit their plans and possibly investigate the possibility of building on the property adjourning the afore-mentioned planned facility.

He added that the facilities being put in place can almost be common facilities for the two because of the shared interests. He noted that there will be an agricultural plot, a place for physical exercise and security employed at the disabled facility.

"The land is already there," Prime Minister Christie said. "It is on Gladstone Road.  It is a place that will be safe and secure and it is a place where there will be a concentration of efforts; and I could see now, for example, being able to have solar panels to be able to give you really the sort of advantages that could be put in place like that …"

Also at the event was the passing of the Chairman gavel from Mrs. Judy Munroe to Mr. Felix Stubbs. Prime Minister Christie took the opportunity to commend Mrs. Munroe for her role in nation building in The Bahamas.

"Judy has contributed to our country in so many diverse ways," Prime Minister Christie said.

He added that for most persons who have contributed -- in an "iconic" way -- as much as they have to a nation during their careers and public life, they deservedly can retire and put their "proverbial feet up".

"I keep on looking at Judy and she keeps on doing it, keeps on doing it, and I know she has 'secured her place in heaven' -- so to speak -- with all the good work she has done; so she does not have to do it for that purpose," Prime Minister Christie said.

He congratulated her as "a Bahamian woman who is an exemplar for womanhood in our country".

"By any standard and any definition, she is an example for young women in our country, and I hope more is said about her, more is written about her because, again, to be what she became, to do what she did and to achieve it, she had to go against all the odds," Prime Minister Christie said.

"She had to come up at a time when it was not even easy for women to succeed professionally," he added. "She had to have the perseverance, determination, plus the ability to be able to do these things and survive in it."

He also recognized Mr. Stubbs and said that he is always contributing throughout the Bahamian society and volunteering "doing things for people".

"It is an extraordinary abundance of work that he has taken upon himself to do -- and you can't get paid for those things -- that's the point," Prime Minister Christie said referring to Mr. Stubbs' many civic roles and contributions.

"You are both alike," Prime Minister Christie said about them. "You are two of a kind and the Salvation Army has benefitted enormously by having two highly respected persons such as yourselves at the helm (in their positions) in the army and, again, we give applaud for that."

By Eric Rose | Bahamas Information Services

Prime Minister Christie at Salvation Army luncheon.