Yasmin Popsecu

Freeport News?Reporter

yasmin@nasguard.com

No party is addressing the most important issue in Abaco, which is Immigration, says leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Party, Branville McCartney as he spoke out this past week about the upcoming bye-elections.

The bye-elections are just days away in the North Abaco Constituency, which was vacated by former Prime Ministrer Hubert Alexander Ingraham following the recent general elections.

In a few verbal attacks on Ingraham, McCartney said, "Prior to his resignation the former Prime Minister was very reluctant to enter the Halls of Parliament. Why?...your guess is as good as mine. Yet the former Prime Minister is in North Abaco, I am informed, campaigning for 'his man'. He is everywhere saying vote for his man, but when the good people of North Abaco voted for him, he left them high and dry, not representing them in the House of Assembly and, unfortunately, making a spectacle of himself when he knew full well the procedure of the House of Assembly when he tendered his resignation.

"He seems to be a person who can certainly give, but when the shoe is on the other foot, he cannot take. He cowers and goes in his corner like bullies normally do. What a prime example!"

He then asked what is the Free National Movement's (FNM) positions on the issues that are facing North Abaco?

"Do they really think that a vote for 'my man' will be sufficient? In that same vein, what is the PLP saying about the issues in North Abaco? I note that a Cabinet meeting was held in Abaco on Tuesday past, but what was the reason for this meeting? Indeed, I am certainly not against Cabinet meetings being held outside the capital, but, my Lord, at this time when our country is suffering financially! I ask again, what was the reason? What was the benefit to the country? Would the government be prepared to say how much it costs to have such a meeting? I think, we as a people ought to insist on having this information.

"After all, it is our money they are spending. Quite frankly, the only benefit at this time for such a meeting was for political brownie points for the PLP, at the expense of the Bahamian people! What a shame! And we, as Bahamians, continue to let situations like this happen without speaking out. Always remember that the Prime Minister and his government work for the Bahamian people. They work for you and me. They were employed and accordingly are the peoples' employees. They have been entrusted to act in our best interest at all times, whether you are DNA, PLP or FNM and that does not come to a holt because of a bye - election! The Prime Minister took that oath. He should not forget that."

McCartney asked what are the issues the parties are talking. He noted that political distractions have been strategically placed so that the Bahamian people do not insist that issues be discussed.

"The FNM has stated that the PLP is victimizing persons. (Let me just say that if there is evidence of victimization the FNM should bring the matter before the courts and sue accordingly). The PLP has taken to personal attacks against the FNM candidate. As a result the Bahamian people have gotten caught up in this 'bye-election fever' and the issues have been swept aside.

"But what happens when the bye -election is over? The personal attacks on the FNM candidate will be a faint memory and if the FNM does not take a stand and fight for those who have been allegedly victimized, it all would have been hot air. So I ask again, what happens after the bye-election? What happens in the next two weeks?"

The political leader said it seems that a tremendous amount of money is being spent by both parties on this bye-election as he said he thought that this would have been an opportune time for the government to have implemented campaign finance reform.

He added that the monies that have been spent by both parties could have no doubt gone towards some good to help those who are less fortunate. He then wondered if both parties would be prepared to state how much money was spent on this bye-election, adding that he thinks one may find that both parties would go quiet on this question.

"My Bahamian people, always remember not to get too caught up. Indeed, it happened in the last general election. After the bye-election, your light bill will still be due and it will costs you a lot of money; the mortgage or rent still have to be paid, food prices will still be high, gas prices will continue to be exorbitant, the cost of living as a whole will still be extreme and, yes, the cost of doing business in The Bahamas will still be to the point where it is almost unattainable.

"Crime and the fear of crime will still be a problem in this country. The problem of Illegal immigration in this country will still not be addressed. Education will still be in desperate need of enhancement. Social issues will still be mounting. Environmental concerns will still not have been addressed, and this Commonwealth will still have the same ole same ole" he concluded.