Today marks the 100th day since the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) won the 2012 General Election and government officials said they are pleased to announce that they have lived up to more than 90 per cent of their promises.
Prime Minister Perry Christie said his government will deliver a statement in the House of Assembly today detailing exactly what the government did during this much-touted political milestone.
When the Christie administration revealed its Charter for Governance one of the most attractive aspects of it was the PLP’s ambitious 100-day promise.
“Firstly, I think I have accomplished much more than I can disclose at this time,” he said. “Over the next short period of time I will have more to say on that subject. There are other national developments that we have been able to impact.”
“We think we have satisfied all of it.”
Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said he, too, is pleased with the government’s performance so far.
“I think we’ve fared well,” he said. “I think we are at 90 per cent plus, if not 100 per cent.
“By [Wednesday] in the House of Assembly we will be able to give a report to the nation as to how we have fared with all the 100-day commitments and if not 100 per cent; we are pretty close.”
Today marks exactly 100 days since the PLP was voted into office on May 7.
In its Charter for Governance the PLP promised that it would see to it that 14 key things were done.
The government promised to launch key elements of Project Safe Bahamas and Operation Cease Fire, prioritise a doubling of the nation’s investment in the education and training, create a ministry for Grand Bahama, and set in motion the plan to secure the nation’s borders.
In the first100 days the government promised to reposition The Bahamas Development Bank, re-establish the Ministry of Financial Services and Investments, introduce the Employees Pension Fund and Protection Act, renew the nation’s commitment to National Health Insurance, initiate a plan to lower the cost of electricity, enact Vision 2030, provide details for a referendum on a national lottery and gambling, reduce the maximum level of stamp tax on real estate from 12 to 10 per cent and reintroduce a ceiling on the maximum level of property taxes payable on a residence and institute a mortgage relief plan.
Both ministers treaded lightly, not wishing to preempt the full statement on the 100-day mark they plan to make in the House of Assembly tomorrow.
Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney, like much of the country, has also been counting down.
“We intend to hold a press conference on their 100-day promises,” he said. “I will wait until after (Wednesday) to comment to give them the full 100 days.”
“But I will say this, this country is not safe and we are still struggling like hell.”
