OPENING REMARKS

Madame speaker, for two reasons I found it extraordinary that we met last Saturday. The first reason being that it was the firstSaturday that I can recall Parliament meeting in the twenty years that I have been in this Place. Madame speaker, the second reason being that we never got to this Resolution we are debating today because the government chose instead to deal with their own business of corrupt affairs, instead of the people’s business. But I guess with this government there is always a first time for everything, and with them a first time for every bad thing.

Madame speaker, for those of us who take our attendance in this Place seriously, we were not able to attend funerals and weddings of our constituents last Saturday. But why should that have mattered to some in this House, when we know church settings is not one of their favorite places. Madame speaker, my schedule last Saturday was to attend two funerals and a wedding. But all I ended up doing was attending a mass funeral in this Place instead, because of the disgraceful display of this government on Saturday that will surely be the death of it’s Party. But that only becomes my business, when the taxpayers and voting public finds itself in a position of having the taxes they pay to the Treasury misappropriated, or their voices as Constituents not heeded. Otherwise Madame speaker, the sooner this government destroys itself, the better I see it being for the masses. However Madame speaker, I was given an explanation as to why we were supposed to be meeting last Saturday, which I found to be unacceptable. Madame speaker, on Thursday, September 20, 2001, the government tabled the Resolution before us today. That was two weeks ago. However Madame speaker, the contract with the contractor, Associate Asphalt Ltd., was formally signed several months ago. Madame speaker, it is crystal clear to me that we have a government in crisis, a government that seemed to have ceased to function for weeks during the so-called leadership race in the governing FNM Party.

Madame speaker, the government had numerous opportunities to deal with this resolution, since the execution of the contract with the contractors. The government has an overwhelming majority in this Place. They have thirty-five members. Or should I say after what transpired with the Member for Bamboo Town in this Place over the past week, that the governing Party has thirty-four Members, to our five in the Opposition. Madame speaker, under those circumstances, it is astonishing that this outgoing government cannot get anything done unless it is in reaction to some crisis. The crisis of being caught out with one’s back to the wall is simply and totally unacceptable.

Madame speaker, when this government isn’t bringing Bills to this Place borne out of crisis, such as it is today, it brings Bills here that makes no sense. Madame speaker, this government’s record for bringing nonsensical Bills to this place has become fertile ground for an idiot’s paradise, where even the most simplest of tasks becomes an exercise in ignorance and negligence. In fact Madame speaker, this government is paralyzed even in conducting the Parliament in a functioning manner. We leave here after a sitting expecting to do some particular business at the next sitting, and when the next sitting comes, we come to Parliament and are told we will be doing something else.

In fact Madame speaker, it has become a guessing game as to what the roles of the Members of Government are, with the Member for North Abaco religiously speaking on behalf of every ministry, except on Thursday past, when he left his Minister’s of Tourism and Education hanging by themselves as they were brutalized unmercifully by their own colleague, the Member for Bamboo Town. Oh yes, Madame speaker, they were left on their own. The Maximum Leader wasn’t in the maximum mood to defend them and their Ministries like he has on most occasions in the past. And the question is why? Madame speaker, that is the question that the Member’s for Mt. Moriah and Blue Hills should be asking themselves. And should be asking the Maximum leader, for we can only conclude that he knows just as much, if not more, about the coincidence of contracts and scholarships being given out at the time that they were. Madame speaker, besides for all of the intramural and political webs of back stabbing presently going on in this government, the only other thing they are experiencing as I said before, is a condition of paralysis.

As an example of this paralysis Madame speaker, the Member for Marathon was fired as a Minister several weeks ago, he was also the Leader of Government Business in this Place. However Madame speaker, to date this there has been no announcement of an appointed replacement. Madame speaker, this is a ridiculous and unnecessary situation. Madame speaker, the only thing that I can say about this government is if there were only three members on their side, their behavior in this Parliament would be an excellent script for the Three Stooges Comedy Hour. Madame speaker, that is just how dysfunctional this government has become at bringing and managing Bills brought to this Place.

GASOLINE TAXES AND FNM MANEFISTO COMMITMENT

Madam Speaker, the FNM in its Manifesto No.1 proclaimed loud and clear for all to hear that “The FNM is firmly convinced that under proper management the current level(1992) of Government taxation and revenue is more than sufficient to meet the needs of our country”

Whilst in Opposition the Lame Duck Prime Minister strongly criticized the former Administration for the level of tax on gasoline.He said it was excessive and could not be justified.

Madam Speaker, but low and behold what did this same critic do when he came to office, notwithstanding his Party’s position that the level of taxation was more than sufficient to meet the country’sneeds, the FNM raised the tax on gasoline twice, not once, Madam Speaker, but twice.This was deceit and aserious breach of the FNM commitment and duplications of the FNM Maximum Leader.The outgoing Prime Minister said that the increase in gasoline taxes would insure that roads are properly maintained, new roads would be provided.But here we are today borrowing $40 Million Dollars after collecting millions and millions of dollars in gasoline taxes.

The FNM Madam Speaker, increased the tax on gasoline by 31 cents per gallon from the former Government level in 1992 of 75 cents per gallon to $1.06.

Madam Speaker, we have over 100,000 private motor vehicles on the roads of New Providence – let us useand assume that the average weekly private motor vehicle uses ten gallons of gasoline.This computes at an average of one million gallons of gasoline each day.On an annualize basis it totals some 52 million gallons of gasoline.

Madam Speaker, 52 million times 31 cents equal $16,120,000.Madam Speaker, if one was t round out and add $3,900,000 to cover other commercial vehicles that are on the road, we have a neat round amount of $20 Million.Then lets take nine years of FNM governance and it gives us additional revenue of new gasoline of $180 Million.

Madam Speaker, the Government said it would utilize the new gasoline revenue to maintain and build new roads but we are here today to borrow $40.2 Million. The question is, what has happened to the newtax revenue on gasoline that was earmarked to do what the $40 Million loan proposes to do?

Madam Speaker, I must point out hat the Government has on many occasions under its capital development budget borrowed tens of millions of dollars for New Providence roads.Madam Speaker it begs the critical question of the application of revenue generated from gasoline imports.The Government has been deceitful to the Bahamian people.This is simply a case of how this Government has taken every Bahamian tax payer for a dangerous and painful ride.

Madam Speaker, under the FNM Government the Bahamian people pay the highest gasoline tax in the world of $1.06 per gallon plus 7% stamp ax on the CIF cost.

This cannot be justified Madam Speaker, as a consequence the National Debt will increase, furthermortgaging Bahamians yet unborn.

GOVERNMENT MEMBERS& BAD ROADS

Madame speaker, this Resolution to approve the loan to bring into existence new roads in New Providence, probably couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Madame speaker, I say that because after we heard from the Member for Bamboo Town on Thursday past, we would have to admit he needed a road all for himself and those political scud missiles he threw at the dream team and its chief advisor, the mad scientist and honorable doctor. Certainly Madame speaker, this was not the place for a new road to be paved by way of the missiles that the Member for Bamboo Town launched in here this past Thursday. So maybe it is good after all, that we are today debating this Resolution for a loan to build new roads. That way when the Member for Bamboo Town let’s loose again on his own colleagues of some thirty years, he can also thank his government for supplying him with the new roads in which to operate on. The type of roads we are debating today to alleviate the country from road rage, whether here on Parliament Street or elsewhere.

Madame speaker, it is my hope that the new roads that this Resolution will bring into existence is devoid of any dead end streets because it seems that we have enough of them, including the dead end street that the Member for Marathon is presently on. Madame speaker, a political observer while thanking me for being the one who first brought up the subject of the Mal-Jack Contracts last Thursday, mentioned to me that it was the Member for Marathon who first publicly laid the serious charge of corruption at the feet of his former Cabinet Colleagues. And we would recall that it was the Maximum Leader of the FNM who entreated the Member for Marathon to bring the proof that was brought in substance by the Member for Bamboo Town.

Madame speaker, it was a scathing attack that was brought by the Member for Bamboo Town on his own colleagues and one could only shutter to think what the Member for Marathon would have to say, or would have said, if he took the same road as the Member for Bamboo Town, as opposed to that quiet dead end street he is presently on. However Madame speaker, maybe with this resolution we are debating today for a loan to bring into existence new roads, the Member for Marathon will too find a new road in which to conduct his affairs and get off of that quiet dead end street.

Madam Speaker, the Bahamian people heard on Thursday past from the mouth of a former Senior Minister of the outgoing FNM that his Government is corrupt to the core.It likewise confirmed my many charges of corruption against this outgoing Government. It also shows the need for this resolution for new roads to allow the Members for Mt Moriah, Blue Hills and North Abaco, to try, if they can, to find safer routes in which to travel, then the road they are presently on.

Likewise Madame speaker, and concerning safer roads for our Bahamas, it is unfortunate that so many unskilled and reckless drivers are choosing dangerous roads to travel, such as the Member for Fort Charlotte chose to take, when he used a part of his time when contributing to the Loan Guarantee Bill, to take a reckless turn onto a hazardous street. A street that he has no credibility to be on, nor the ability to survive on. Madame speaker, I will show how dangerous some of the roads we travel can be and why, at least for the Member for Fort Charlotte, he needs to have this resolution passed, so he can find a more safer road to travel. Madame speaker, it was unfortunate last Thursday that the Member for Fort Charlotte chose to use some of his time during the Guarantee Loan Debate, to travel down a road that led him to calling me a muckraker and that led him to saying that my behavior in his opinion is offensive.

Madame speaker, it is also unfortunate that he had to take a quote from President Theodore Roosevelt to find the words to say what he had to say about me. I would have thought as a self-proclaimed born-again Christian, he would have relied on the voice of the Holy Spirit to give him the words to say, instead of on mortal men who have the sense to think on things to say from their own thought process. But that is the road he chose to travel and if the Member for Fort Charlotte doesn’t have the aptitude to come up with his own thoughts and ideas, there is a lesson for him to learn when he turns on to a dangerous road.

Madame speaker, I took the long and short of what the reckless driver for the Fort Charlotte Constituency had to say to mean that I bring things to this Place deliberately and with the intention to defraud the Parliament and the public, because by and large my assertions are not based on truth, so he claims. Madame speaker, while it is okay for him to call me a fraud and muckraker, while he himself brought no examples of his accusation, I won’t be so shallow by traveling down that same dangerous road.

Madam Speaker, I ask the Member for Fort Charlotte was the road I took this Parliament on that ledto the forced resignation of the former Chairman of the Airport Authority, Brent Symonette a fraud?Madam Speaker, I again ask theMember for Fort Charlotte was the road I took this Parliamenton with the Long Island drug scandal and the Dorciera fraud?That led to the arrest and imprisonment of major drug traffickers.Madam Speaker, I took this Parliament on many roads that brought discomfort to this Government which has caused the Member for Fort Charlotte to have taken a temporary leave of his senses this past Thursday.

But I wonder, what the Member for Fort Charlotte would call himself, when it was he who said in February of 1997, to the cries of Pastors not running for political nor public office; the Member for Fort Charlotte said on the FNM platform in Grand Bahama during their Convention, that “The Pastor and the Politician never shall the twain meet.” Was that the person who once was an Assistant Pastor at a church in Freeport saying that? Oh yes Madame speaker, that was the one who during the time of that statement was considered a Youth Pastor speaking to all the Youth Alive Conventions at Bahamas Faith Ministries! And that person, who portrays himself as the beacon of all Christianity, is now the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte. That person who made that statement in February of 1997, didn’t take a short drive down the road toward being a hypocrite, but took a full excursion down the road to becoming reprobate minded, by turning around and running for Parliament and has now been a Cabinet Minister for quite some time! 

Madame speaker I wonder what happened to the Reverend that became a Cabinet Minister? When did the twain meet between the Pastor and the Politician? Madame speaker I wonder what happened to the Pastor who became a hypocrite? Did it become okay for the twain to meet between the Pastor and the Politician once there was some money in it? Madame speaker, I am only a muckraker to persons like the Member for Fort Charlotte, because they have so much dirt that needs raking up. They travel on dirty roads, the kinds that I have chosen to clean up or demolish.

Madame speaker, I also understand that the Member for Fort Charlotte also commented on the fact that I never talk about all the reports that they bring to this Parliament only about the ones that they don’t. And he proceeded to display all of the reports that they have brought to this Place. Well, I wonder if he has in his possession a report of the computer equipment fraud that went on in the Ministry that he was in charge of in 1999? I wonder if he has a report about the inferior computer equipment that was paid for by the Ministry of Sports that in fact didn’t reconcile with the money that was supposedly spent? Madame speaker, I would like for him to bring that report to the Parliament. And while he is at it, I would like for him to bring the report on the 1999 Junkanoo Receipts that was stolen under that Member’s watch, where it is his cousin that was charged, absconded from justice, returned back home and we have yet to see the resolution of the case.

Madame speaker I am amused by of the Member for Fort Charlotte portraying himself as the beacon of all righteousness, when in fact his Christian witness could never be strong enough to overlook the filth and corruption of the road that he and his government is on. In fact, I would dare say that his involvement with this government has only given us a clear view of what he is really all about. He is a reckless hypocrite driving down a dangerous road. He is unprincipled and depraved in deeds and words. And the fact that he could sit in the Parliament and the government as a Cabinet Minister, after what he said in February of 1997 that those of his spiritual and sanctified ilk should not, clearly explains why he used the words that he did in describing me. For obviously it takes one of a fraudulent mindset, to sit in judgement on me, when he himself claimed that those of his supposed Christian faith have no business in politics. But meanwhile, he sits in one of the highest political offices in the land. Madame speaker, it would be wise with the new roads this resolution will bring about, that the amateur driver from Fort Charlotte, finds a more safer road to travel. A road Madame speaker that may not expose him for being the hypocrite that he is.

And while I am on that subject of fraudulent drivers being allowed to operate amongst the innocent public, I would like my constituents to know that when I deliberately walk out of the Parliament last Wednesday after I finished my contribution on the Loan Guarantee for Students, it was to go out on the public road as invited by the Member for Blue Hills, to say what I said in this Place so he could attempt to sue me like he threatened. However Madame speaker, the Member for Blue Hills did not show up, even though I had witnesses along with me waiting for him. I guess Madame speaker, he too needs this Resolution for loans to build new roads because he didn’t have the guts to come out in the road where I was waiting for him.

RESOLUTION, LOANS, PRESENT AND FUTURE ROAD CONDITIONS

Madam Speaker, traffic congestion is a hellish nightmare on this island of New Providence.I am of the view that there are too many vehicles for the roads of New Providence.Madam Speaker, will the expenditure of $46.2 million provide a reliable, timely, efficient, clean and safe public transportation system for New Providence?Madam Speaker, will it relieve the congestion on main road arteries and side streets?

Madam Speaker, will Bahamian people receive value for their $46.2 Million expenditure?Will they be short-changed and ripped off like they were on the San Salvador Airport Project?Bahamians will be shocked and sick to know that the San Salvador Airport which was on track to be built at a cost of some $13 to $14 Million under the former PLP administration.

Madam Speaker Bahamians will remember shortly after the FNM came to power in 1992, the Maximum Leader of the FNM and several of his Cabinet colleagues rushed off to Santo Domingo to inspect an airport that the Maximum Leader claimed was built for $4 to $9 Million.The Maximum Leader boasted that he would take the Bahamian people onto the road of saving monies and would teach the former Government how it should be done.

Madam Speaker, what was the final cost of the San Salvador Airport?Was it $9 Million?No!Was it$14 Million?No it was not!Was it $19 Million?No it was not!Was it $25 Million?No it was not!Was it $30 Million?No, no, it was not!Madam Speaker it was $35,288,969.39 Million.Will blow me down Madam Speaker!

Madam Speaker, my source tell me that the $35.2 Million did not include the half million per annual penalty to Club Med.

Madam Speaker, to add fuel to the fire, there is an outstanding court case against the Government brought by the Government’s appointed Engineer, I am told for breach of contact.The final cost of the San Salvador Airport is likely to increase.

Madam Speaker, the Bahamian people were taken for a devilish ride on the construction of San Salvador Airport BIG TIME.The stench is strongly offensive.Madam Speaker theSan Salvador Airport will be the subject of a public inquiry immediately following the PLP’s victory in the ensuring General Elections.

Madam Speaker, the San Salvador Airport being the insulting model that it is clearly has caused me to take a closer look at the contract between Associated Asphalt Ltd. and the Ministry of Works.

Madam Speaker, my findings were as follows:

1.Associated Asphalt Ltd. a UK company is well known to the Government of the Bahamashaving entered into an agreement with the Government in July 0f 1991 AssociatedAsphalt contract was renewedthrough June 30, 2001.Its current legal status is unknown to me.

2.Having been in the Bahamas these many years, the Government has failed to insure the training of Bahamians toreplace expatriate staff provided by AssociatedAsphalt.I am advised hat Associated Asphalt staff are UK retirees of that company.

3.There are two major asphalt plants in New Providence and a portable asphalt plant.

(a)The Bahamas Government owns the plant located on Arawak Cay known as Bahamix.

(b)The plant located at the Airport Industrial Park is beneficially owned by several well known and well connected white Bahamians and the minority holdings is held be a few black Bahamians.

(c)The only portable plant is under the umbrella of Caribbean Asphalt Production Ltd. located off Gladstone Road and is owned and operated by the hard working Cleare family.

Madam Speaker, I am informed that the Government Bahamix Plant and the privately owned Bahamas Hot Mix Plant are similar in size.I wish to repeat that Associated Asphalt has had the management of the Government Bahamix Plant for many years, having has their management contract renewed only recently.

Madam Speaker, a perusal of the Associate Asphalt Roadcontract under sub-clause 4.5 Sub-contractors, it states that “The prior consent of the employer’s representative shall be obtained to the suppliers of the following materials:

·Asphalt

·Fill Material

·Base course

·Concrete

The contractor is invited to note that the employer’s representative is required to seek the non objection of the IDB in connection with consenting to any sub-contractors.

Madam Speakers I mentioned a few moment ago that there is a strong similarity between the Government and the privately owned Hot Mix Plants and that Associated Asphalt has had the management of the Government owned plant for many years.Why was the Government Bahamix Plant not selected to provide asphalt for the New Providence Road Improvement Project?Madam Speaker, would it have not reduced the cost by millions of dollars to the Bahamian people?I know that the answer is yes!

Madam Speaker, why was Associated Asphalt directed by the Government to obtain its requirement of asphalt from the well know, well connected privately owned Bahamas Hot Mix Plant?Madam Speaker, who in the Government took that decision?Madam Speaker, I heard loud and clear the Lame Duck Prime Minister’s denial that former Cabinet Minister, former FNM Senator, disgraced former Chairman of the Airport Authority, Brent Symonette and his family were not major contributors to the FNM party.My response Madam Speaker, was that he should be careful and not bite his tongue.

Madam Speaker, the bidding document vol. O which outlined the invitation to bid and instructions to bidder in appendix B at item 3.5 under contractor’s equipment capabilities states:The bidder should confirm that he does own, or have assured access (through hire lese, purchase agreement, availability of manufacturing, or other means) to the following key items or equipment in full working order, and shall demonstrate that based on known commitments, they will be available for use in the proposed project activity.The bidder may also list alternative equipment that it would propose for the contract, together with an explanation of the proposal:

·Asphalt plant complete with electronic weigh system with automatic ticket print out.

·Milling machine.

·Mechanical spreading and screeding equipment.

All to meet the standard required by the Florida Department of Transportation.Madam Speaker it would be interestingto see the contractors confirmation of this requirement.

Madam Speaker, my information is that a major upgrade was carried out on the Asphalt Plant of Bahamas Hot Mix and it would be interesting to know who paid for the upgrade.

1.Did Associate Asphalt Ltd. Pay for the upgrade?

2.What was the cost of the upgrade?

3.What are the details of the deal between Associate Asphalt and Bahamas Hot Mix Ltd. On the supply of Asphalt Limited.

4.The Opposition demand a copy of the agreement between the two companies.

Madam Speaker, my source has told me that there is a link between Bahamas Hot Mix contract to supply asphalt for the New providence Road Improvementand funding for the FNM General Election expenses.

Madam Speaker, my source told me that is why the Government will try t give any number of reasons why the supply of asphalt was not directed to the Government owned Bahamas Mix Plant, thereby reducing the cost to the Bahamian people.

MADAM SPEAKER, THE INVITATION TO BID AT ITEM 31 CONTAINS A PROVISION ON CORRUPT PRACTICES.I ASK, HAS THIS PROVISION BEEN VIOLATED?

Let us take an excursion on theroad to Nassau International Airport with Bahamas Hot Mix Limited and the Airport Authority.The road is not a long and winding one but that it is bumpy and filled with potholes and a crater.

NASSAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – BAHAMAS HOT MIX LTD. 

RUNWAY REPAVING

Madam Speaker. This House would recall my disclosure of the conflict of interest regarding the perimeterroad at Nassau International Airport involving former Cabinet Minister and former Chairman of the Airport authority, Brent Symonette and Bahamas Hot Mix Co. Ltd.

Madam Speaker, I now wish to bring to the attention of Members and the Bahamian public that the Government’sAsphalt PlantBahama Mix provided equipment and products for Nassau International airport perimeter road contract.It was provided free of charge until the matter was brought to the attention of the Manager of Bahama Mix.There is a common thread between the Government owned Bahama MixAsphalt Plant located at Arawak Cay and the privately owned Bahamas Hot Mix Plant located at the Airport Industrial Park and the UK Company of Associated asphalt Co. Ltd.

NASSAU INTERNATION AIRPORT

Madam Speaker, Nassau International Airport runway 1432 required remedial re-paving on a portion of that runway.The work was carried out by Bahamas Hot Mix sometime around or about September 19, 2001.My information is that the re-paving failed after a week.My further information is that the area was re-paved again by Bahamas Hot MixLtd. On September 27, 2001.

Madam Speaker, this past Saturday or Sunday mysource told me that British Airways jet Aircraft on take off ripped a hole (10 X 15) in the twice re-paved runway 1432.

Madam Speaker, what is very frightening about that is that the sub-standard paving provided by the airport authority paving contractor could have resulted in major damage to the engines of British Airways aircraft or any other jet craft using runway 1432.

I am advised that the thrusters of a jet engine could have sucked in the faulty asphalt.It could have caused the aircraft to crash.Madam Speaker, the black listings have been bitter pills for the Bahamas.God knows we do not need anymore.

Madam Speaker, it begs the question as to whether the Government is adhering to establish international guidelines in contacting out re-pavingof major runways.Madam Speaker, are major runways re-paving asphalt contractors required to provide a bond?Are they require to provide insurance in the event they’re faulty work etc.?Madam Speaker was this job subject to a tender?Who were the bidders?

Madam Speaker, mylatest information is that runway 1432 was closed on September 30, 2001 and Bahamas Hot Mix Ltd. Found it necessary to consult with Associate Asphalt Ltd. on how best to resolve the re-paving of that section of runway 1432.I am advised that there is only one major runway 009 that was operational as of October 1, 2001.Madam Speaker is the Government is treating air safety as matter of paramount importance?

Madam Speaker, the saga of re-paving at Nassau International Airportdoes not end there.My source told me that parking apron number 3 at Nassau International Airportwas recently patched by Bahamas Hot Mix Ltd.A portion of the re-paving failed.A section of the apron started to sink.The company I am told claims that the sub-base was deficient.

Madam Speaker, Bahama Hot Mix Ltd. Performance is questionable on many fronts yet they continue to receive special treatment from this FNM Government,- clearly they are the white version of Mal-Jack.

Madam Speaker, an associate who returned to Nassau on the weekend from the USA told me how uncomfortable the landing was at Nassau International Airport.Now we know the answer.Madam Speaker, what we also know is that this Government is falling apart.Tax payers monies are being frittedaway by this tired, worn out.Monies which is badly needed to build houses for the poor under this FNM Government is being wasted.The rich get richer and the poor become poorer.

Madam Speaker, in light of Bahamas Hot Mix Limited dismal failure in re-paving the runway and the apron at Nassau International Airport and having been given on a silver platter, the substantial juicy contract to supply asphalt for the New Providence Road Improvement Project, one is justified in asking whether the Bahamian people will receive value for their monies?

Further Madam Speaker, is it unreasonable to demand that the asphalt contract be rescinded forthwith and the Government owned Bahama Mix be contracted in replacement.After all Madam Speaker, Bahama Mix has been managed by Associate Asphalt Ltd. since July 1991.I believe they must haveconfidence in their own people and it will result in significant savings.

Madam Speaker, earlier this year I tabled the details of the principle owners of Bahamas Hot Mix Ltd.I invite the press to review their records.In the main these shareholders are will connected.Some of the names were also part and parcel of the ownership of the contracting companies of the gussiemae priced San Salvador Airport.Sources tell me many are significant donors to the FNM.

Madam speaker, the old saying is, where there is smoke there is fire and the FNM rallying call is to keep the fire burning.

Madam Speaker, I invite the self proclaimed incorruptible member for Blue Hills to remove the band aid from his mouth and to respond if his Lame Duck Leader will allow him.

Madam Speaker, it was also brought to my attention that Bahamas Hot Mix was awarded a very lucrative side way contract for West Bay Street.I was advised that traditionally sidewalks are awarded to small contractors and not too large companies.

Madam Speaker, the contract at clause 6 under Staff and Labour, disclosed at sub-clause 6.11 “The contractor is to maximize the use of local Bahamian labour”but a sub-clause 6.11 under Foreign Staff and Labour, it states “The contractor may import such staff and artisans as are required in order to execute the works the contractor shall be responsible for……..”.Madam Speaker, if the contractor is given Carte Blancheto import whomever he requires, flies directly in the face of him being required to maximize the use of local Bahamian labour.If you give the contractor he right to bring in such staff as he requires, does not bind him to do something else.

Madam Speaker, I see a lot of non Bahamians employed in the road program.Are Bahamians unable to perform these jobs?After all Madam Speaker, Bahamians have been building road through the Bahamas for decades and have generally performed well or could it be that globalization and its implication for the free movement of labour have already arrived on the Bahamian shores.

Madam Speaker, I am obliged to embrace this opportunity to bring to this Parliament’s attention that there has been strong allegations of stealing at the Government BahamamixPlant. I will bring at a later date details of the same, in the meantime, I lay on he table a copy of the audit report on the plant operations.READ FROM REPORT

Madam Speaker, there is much dissatisfaction by the Bahamianstaff at the Government owned Asphalt Plant at Arawak Cay.Management claims that they have been trying for ten years to get the men regularized but to no avail.The workers in turn told me that they have taken their grievances over and repeatedly to the various Ministers of Works and to the Maximum Leader of the FNM and their pleas and cries have all fallen on deaf ears.

Madam Speaker, why has the Government turned its back to the Bahamian workers at Bahamix?Workers complain that their wages are too low for the work they perform.Workers ask, how could the Government justify paying a skilled heavy equipment operator $220.00 per week to operate expensive machinery.Madam Speaker the same can be asked as to why the Ministry of Health could justify paying tractor operators at the Harold Road Dump site $5.00 per hour, when foreign tractor operators werepaid $30.00 per hour to dig the cells at the same dump site.Madam Speaker we are again travelling down the road to yet another Burma Road.

What the Government is doing to these workers is wrong!And cannot be justified.Bahamix workers say they do not receive any hazardous allowance.There is no health insurance.Some of the workers got sick as a result of the hazardous materials they come into contact with.

Madam Speaker, the workers claimed that they are unable to provide for their families with the low wages they are paid. Workers also claim that some of the foreign managers do not know how to speak to them.

Madam Speaker, when will someone in Government come down from the lofty mountain and respond to the cries of these hard working Bahamians or is it Madam Speaker that they simply do not care?

OTHER ROADS

Madam Speaker, I am compel to bring to this Parliament’s attention that while this $50 Million plus road improvement program is going on, roads in the inner city and elsewhere in New Providence have potholes and problems of flooding.I wrote to the former Minister of Works, the Member for Mt. Moriah requesting that several roads in theGrants Town Constituency be re-paved, that they were in poor state.

Madam Speaker, it pains me to observe roads being re-paved, which in my opinion, were unnecessary and roads that needed re-paving are allowed to remain in their poor state.

Madam Speaker, during a recent trip to Bimini, I saw many potholes which were patched that very day with concrete, only to learn that the concrete was washed away a few days later following a down pour of rain.Madam Speaker, it is a clear example that Local Government is not working.Bimini deserves better.Its Representative just can’t cut the mustard.He just lays back and allows Mr. Capo to destroy/desecrate the environment of Bimini. Shame, shame on him!READ BILL PARKS LETTER TO PRIME MINSITER

COST OF LAND

Madam Speaker, I embrace this opportunity to inquire of the Government, has the owners of land acquired by the Government for the road program have been paid?What is the cost or estimated cost of the land?When will the owners of the land be paid?Madam Speaker, I also ask the Government to tell this Parliament when it will pay the owners of land acquired by this Government throughout the Bahamas since it came to power in 1992.And further Madam Speaker, what is the amount due to these former land owners?

OUR LUCAYA

The road for casino trained employees and related job positions in Grand Bahama has not been an easy one over the past five years.This group of casino workers expectation may be on a slippery slope of uncertainty once again.I am advised that a major UK casino company by the name of Condor Club Casino recently sought protection under chapter 11 in the USA.Madam Speaker, is this the company or the affiliate that has applied for a license to operate the Our Lucaya Casino in Freeport, Grand Bahama?

SUISSE SECURITY

Earlier this week, the Deputy Speaker ruled that we could not talk about a particular Bank for the reasons he gave.Suffice it to say that it was just brought to my attention that the Minister of Finance at a recent function of Bankers uttered similar words a his MaximumLeader did at the Straw Marker.I was shocked and surprised that the Minister of Finance would make such comments before members of the Banking Fraternity.Madam Speaker, madness has consumed this outgoing Government.They are on a road of no return.

CONCLUSION

Madame speaker, I have given you many examples of what could happen when we travel on bad roads in this country. Madame speaker I have also given you examples of what could happen when government members decide to travel on roads that lead to corruption. Madame speaker, I likewised showed you what can happen when one of the passengers in the car that government members are traveling in decides to take a different road, and in fact pave a new course. Madame speaker, there have been too many potholes on the road that this government has been traveling. And while the Member for Bamboo Town may be hoping that he can dig up the road his government is on and patch it up, I believe that we may find that the road is in such terrible condition, that it must be closed down.

Madame speaker, I said all of that to say this, if the government’s record of doing honest and effective work on behalf of the people is any precursor to what they will be doing with the loan to construct new roadways, I fear that we will not have the relief from traffic congestion and road rage because of traffic congestion that we are hoping for. Likewise Madame speaker, if this idea of the government’s to relieve the traffic congestion is another one similar to the reversal of traffic on Bay Street, I am afraid we are in for real problems once the new roads are constructed. Quite frankly Madame speaker, I cannot trust this government with making sense from this project and definitely I cannot trust them to do what they are supposed to do with the money they will be borrowing.

Therefore Madame speaker, I will wait and I will watch and hope for the people’s sake that we don’t find ourselves coming to this Place at a later date, not too long from now when this government is the Official Opposition, and the Member for Bamboo Town again has to chastise his colleagues for what they did with the money we are borrowing today from the IDB to build new roadways.

MADAME SPEAKER, ON BEHALF OF THE GREAT CONSTITUENCY OF GRANTS TOWN, I THANK YOU.