Dear Editor,
The prime minister is no political fool. Yes, there are and have been numerous occasions when he would have appeared to be out of his depth but, over-all, he has done and continues to do a fairly 'remarkable' job as head of government.
He and I have some fundamental 'differences' in that his 'word', in some circumstances insofar as I am concerned, is not worth a hill of beans. Yes, our 'differences' are deeply personal and I have no hesitation in saying so. He made me 'promises', and I challenge him to deny them, that he has failed/or refused to fulfill even though he could have done so with the stroke of his pen.
Having said that, however, no one can deny that he is an achiever. Let us look at the near completed Arawak Port Development project. Look at the completed national stadium. Look at the massive, if badly managed, road construction project here in New Providence. Look at the remand center up at Her Majesty's Prisons. Look at the ongoing work at Lynden Pindling International Airport, and the list goes on.
In the month or so remaining in this current parliamentary term, however, there is much more legislative work to be done and the agenda remains largely unfulfilled. The disability bill has been languishing in the halls of Parliament for far too long.
We have been able to pass various bills 'protecting' and promoting the 'rights' of assorted animals but cannot legislate a simple piece of legislation to enhance and protect the rights of our disabled citizens? I cry shame on the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM)! We need special legislation to protect the rights of our children (little darlings) from abuse, sexual predators and molesters.
Many of us were in an outrage over the matter of young Marco Archer. Do you recall a matter some years ago when a young female, age seven, was kidnapped and brutally raped and left for dead in bushes? Collectively we cried for a day or so, but in short order it was business as usual. Legislation must be introduced and passed for a sexual register. Legislation is badly needed to ensure 'free' education for all citizens up to tertiary level.
The Ministry of Housing must be decentralized, as no government should be in the business of home construction and handing out 'contracts' for the same to its 'known' political supporters, cronies and, alleged bagmen/women. This scenario may lead to nepotism, corruption in high and low places and, of course, criminal charges.
Where is the so-called 'Freedom of Information Act' that was debated and 'passed' in Parliament months ago? Why has it yet to be gazette, much less implemented? What is the FNM government hiding and is it 'afraid' of what may be exposed or revealed in the weeks leading up to the general election?
The legislative agenda is incomplete. The infrastructural agenda throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas is also incomplete and cannot just be shoved to the back of the bus until after the greatly anticipated elections. Thank God that T.G. Glover School has finally being opened after the general contractor, E.R. Hanna, was seemingly vilified and cussed out by this FNM administration when it came to office in 2007. A job well done Brother Hanna!
We should have had a new hospital built here in New Providence and we certainly could use a mini-healthcare facility/hospital in the Western area of New Providence. Adequate afterschool facilities are also badly needed so as to ensure the safety of our school-aged children in the afternoons. The persistent 'problem' of stray and mangy dogs has gone on for far too long.
Garbage collection has improved dramatically since the government partnered with private waste management companies, but there is much more to be done. There was some loose talk, months ago, by the minister of youth, sports and culture about a National Library and Archive but we've heard nothing since. Yes, my friends, the agenda remains unfulfilled and there is much more work to be done before the dissolution of this 'lazy' Parliament.
The FNM has a window of opportunity to do the right things and to do them now. The prime minister need not do a single thing, as I suspect that he will not, for Ortland H. Bodie Jr., but at least do those things in the unfulfilled agenda outlined above.
To God then, in all things, be the glory.
- Ortland H. Bodie Jr.
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