Just a few days before the fourth anniversary of the current Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration coming into office, Free National Movement Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, Peter Turnquest challenged the government to “less talk and more action”.
In a press release yesterday Mr. Turnquest, putting the government’s feet to the fire, said one particular bone of contention is the state of the Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama, which he described as “clearly unsatisfactory”.
Mr. Turnquest said the government has been doing “touch and go” renovations of the school, and he added that the reports of the presence of bats on the school campus are disturbing and demand “full” and “focused” attention.
“We call on the government to stop talking about the importance of education and to act. A genuine, thorough and comprehensive action oriented plan at the Eight Mile Rock School is needed immediately,” Mr. Turnquest said.
“The periodic tours government officials continue to take for the media provide no sustainable improvements at that school,” he continued.
The MP suggested that the presence of bats can prohibit the learning process.
Meanwhile, he applauded the staff, parents, and students of the Eight Mile Rock High School for the high level of excellence they all demonstrate despite the “grave challenging conditions”.
“Eight Mile Rock High School deserves better and the Free National Movement will keep this uncaring government’s feet to the fire to do better,” he said.
That not being his only bone of contention, the FNM Deputy leader called on the government further to stop offering lip service to the development of Junkanoo on Grand Bahama and the advancement of Bahamian culture, and to instead be more sensitive and caring about the plight of local Junkanoo groups.
Mr. Turnquest accused the government of continuing to disrespect Junkanoo leaders and groups on Grand Bahama.
He lamented that the government is holding back on making prize money payments to the participating groups, and he said it is mind boggling why this process should take so long, in light of the many sacrifices and struggles which he said the participants experience in order to secure corporate sponsorship.
Mr. Turnquest pointed out that the prize money is no personal reward for leaders or group members, but rather the money is used to pay suppliers and to coordinate “thank you” celebrations.
He said without credit from a significant number of suppliers, the annual New Year’s Day Junkanoo parade would be impossible.
“As if having senior parade participants on Grand Bahama wait for months on prize money is not bad enough, there are unsettling reports from a bus driver and or drivers who provided ground transportation services for our Junior Junkanoo parade and despite ongoing promises; the government has yet to make the agreed payment,” added Mr. Turnquest.
“While this government floats in dreamland suggesting that things are good on Grand Bahama, the harsh reality is, people are hurting. The government’s delays and empty excuses to make timely payments and do the right and fair thing are beyond unbearable,” he said.
