Pouncing on the government for what he deemed reckless management of the country’s finances, Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis accused the Christie Administration of going on a “tax, borrowing and spending binge”; instead of trying to reduce the country’s debt.
During the 2016/2017 budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday morning, Dr. Minnis pointed out that the national debt stood at $5 billion in 2012, stating that it now stands at over $6.5 billion.
He added that the projected borrowing was budgeted at $385 million but now stands at $7.3 billion.
The Opposition leader said the government has so far borrowed more than $200 billion; which leads him to ask one main question, “where did the money go?”
This question, Dr. Minnis suggested has merit, when observing the country’s state of disrepair.
“Our public infrastructure is in a terrible state of disrepair. Just drive around, and throughout the over the hill communities, and you become acutely aware of the deplorable state of disrepair everywhere. Our outdoor toilets are still in usage in many of our over the hill communities. Roadways in New Providence and the family islands are riddled with potholes; resulting in expensive maintenance costs for our already overburdened an over taxed citizens,” Dr. Minnis said.
“We in the Killarney constituency await the long promised repair of the West Bay Street corridor between Blake Road and Old Fort Bay,” he said.
Noting that the country is moving at a 0.5 per cent economy growth rate, Dr. Minnis said The Bahamas will continue to fall behind if the government does not empower Bahamians to pursue their own businesses.
“Contrary to the PLP government’s claim, about spreading the red carpet to attract investors it is not easy to do business in this country. Mr. Speaker, it’s clearly demonstrated that under the PLP government, the ease of doing business has deteriorated. 2013 we are over at 96 percentile, 2015, 108, 2016, 106,” said Dr. Minnis.
“When we look at our ranking in starting business we have deteriorated again under the PLP. From 96, 118. And when you look at the difficulty of obtaining electricity, 114. Securing credit, 133. Registering property, we fall at 183 out of 188 countries. Mr. Speaker, that’s a disgrace,” he lamented.
Dr. Minnis added that the rate of violent crime will also hinder the country’s economic growth, and he urged the government to take charge in that area.
