By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

In an effort to show a united front as the 2026 general elections approach the Free
National Movement (FNM) hosted a southern zone meeting that turned into somewhat
of a rally at the CV Bethel High School with party leader Michael Pintard urging
Bahamians to fire the Davis administration and allow the FNM to guide the country that
is at a crossroads through the treacherous waters.
Mr. Pintard said for too long we have endured a government that’s filled with promises
and that the Prime Minister and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) have failed the
Bahamian people.
He said, “the truth is, things are not getting better for the Bahamian people, but things
are getting better for the PLP big shots. The truth is they only can refer to a few sections
in their blue print for change. They cannot own all of it because they have not fulfilled
it.”
Mr. Pintard accused the Davis administration of being plagued by corruption. He
pointed to the report by the United States that The Bahamas is serving “major
transshipment point” for drugs traveling from south to north, and law enforcement
officers being indicted to the U.S. He accused the government of ignoring certain
Family Islands while others are being given multi-million contracts.
As it relates to the controversial moorings deal involving Bahamas Moorings Ltd Mr.
Pintard also reiterated what FNM Chairman Dr. Duane Sands said earlier that they will
not stop asking questions about it and the controversial trip to Bermuda in 2022.
He said, “the Prime Minister has the gall to tell us he done cancel the contract and that
one over. No, no, no! We done see that movie before and the question is how the hell
does he think we are going to forget? What they did is blatant and brazing corruption, it
can’t be overlooked.
“We asked him to tell us who’s heads are going to roll (moorings deal). We hear it’s a
senior policy advisor in his office. Someone involved in communications in his office.
We will not let him forget, and every opportunity you get, say Mr. Davis we know you
are doing some things that do not make sense and that’s why we gon’ fire you,” said
Pintard who also accused the Davis administration of abusing the Public Treasury.
The FNM leader then turned his focus to Bahamas Power and Light accusing the
government of awarding contracts to PLP “big shots” referencing the recent power
purchase deal between the government and Bahamas Utilities Holding in October 2024
and the more recent liquified natural gas (LNG) agreement between the government
Freeport Oil Company Ltd (FOCOL) and Shell North America.

Last week Mr. Pintard raised concerns regarding the LNG agreement rejecting the
governments’ assertion that it is the same deal that the Minnis Administration was
considering that would have been solely between Shell and the government.
Pintard questioned the governments motives for including FOCOL in the new deal
without a legally required transparent bidding process to include a private entity set to
earn millions of dollars.
As a result Chairman of FOCOL Sir Franklyn Wilson was quoted as accusing the
Opposition leader of engaging in “political gimmickry” and “petty foolishness,” noting
that the fuel costs savings to consumers through the government energy reforms is
realistic.
Mr. Pintard described Sir Wilson’s comments towards him as an assault.
He said, “one of them just recently attacked me in the newspaper. I think he missed the
point. The point is we signed up for public life to represent The Bahamian people. We
want to do the maximum good for the majority of Bahamians and to give all Bahamians
an opportunity to compete and achieve something special in their life for their family.
“I didn’t get involved in public life to help the oligarchs get even richer, so that they can
tell me shut the hell up while they cut their deals. That’s not what we signed up for. We
signed up to create a shareholding society where multiple Bahamians have an
opportunity to buy shares in the very asset that they have been paying for generations
for. So when it comes to BPL this is no private investment for a small group of
Bahamians.
“How many times have your lights been off, but you keep bouncing back to pay the bill
so BPL could stay open, so how dare folks who are so arrogant, who’s bellies have no
bottom, how dare they get angry when we raise a question about was there competitive
bidding, getting the absolute lowest price possible for a product that we must have as a
country. We don’t care how much money you have, we ain’t scared of none of ya’ll.
We are asking you to have a conscience”’ said Pintard.
He accused the government of giving multiple major contracts to private groups while
using assets and resources that belong to the Bahamian people.
He said, “and so tonight, we come here to serve notice on the all for me group of
people, so that they know that your days are numbered. There is a song that says the
poor people fed up. Well I want you to know that the middle class is also fed up, I want
you to know that wealthy people with conscience are also fed up, and that’s why we
know this government is a bad unrepentant employee and so we ga fire them,” said
Pintard.
Mr. Pintard once again asked the government to intervene and reconsider their position
as it relates to housing for police officers on Grand Bahama that have been forced to
evacuate government housing because they would have exceeded the five to six year
transition period, but have also invested into the homes that were damaged during
hurricane Dorian.

He reiterated his call for the resignation of the Minister of National Security Wayne
Munroe.
He said, “that’s why we sound the alarm for the Minister of National Security Wayne
Munroe to let him know that those persons who are on the front line, they deserve
better. Since you (PLP) say you are committed to housing why not help them (police
officers), transition into a home of their own?
“If someone has been there for 20 or 30 years, we are not making the case for them, we
are making the case for many other categories that you know need assistance to
transition into a safe place to live while they fight the violence that we face on these
streets.
“And so we say once again to the Minister of National Security, we told you before we
did not believe that you were suitable to lead the Ministry of National Security,” said
Pintard.
Mr. Pintard challenged the government to stop pointing the finger at the FNM when they
are asked why certain things are not being done. He reminded the Davis administration
that the FNM is the opposition that has paid the price for its mistakes and have now
come back to the people seeking another opportunity.
Mr. Pintard made an appeal to those Bahamians who may be frustrated with business
as usual and disillusioned with politics. “I want you to know that you are not alone.
Many of us face the same kinds of frustrations. We want legitimate change in this
country.
Pintard acknowledged that he is not the typical politician like the lawyers and doctors
that Bahamians may have become accustomed to, but noted that he is an agriculturalist
who has trained in anti-money laundering and compliance and a member of the creative
community, but argued that he is no less qualified than any other that has ascended to
the position as leader of a political party.
He encouraged the government to take the opportunities that are available to directly
reach the youth of the nation that can see the rich getting richer while they get left
behind.
Pintard promised an FNM government would hold commissions of inquiry on a number
of matters of which he says the Davis administration refuses(to answer to).
He encouraged FNM members and supporters to fight for a better Bahamas and for civil
servants working in various government agencies to report corruption when and where
it is discovered.
Pintard ended by appealing to the Bahamian people to fire the PLP and vote for the
FNM.