The Progressive Liberal Party could not care less about reports that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham may be planning to regain the leadership of the Free National Movement, according to PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby.
Mr. Rigby pointed out Wednesday that that the PLP is not concerned about the internal affairs of other parties.
ﾓ[The FNM has] already demonstrated a degree of nervousness from the former Prime Ministerﾴs comments, and so itﾴs an issue for them and not for us,ﾔ he said. ﾓWe donﾴt care one way or the otherﾅWe have a leader. We know who our leader is. He is Perry Gladstone Christie. We are satisfied with his performance. The party is solidly behind the leader and so there are no issues here.ﾔ
He spoke to the Journal following a press conference Wednesday, which he called to reveal plans for the observation of the ruling partyﾴs second anniversary in office.
Mr. Rigby boasted to reporters of the governmentﾴs track record, saying that the PLP administration has been hard at work fixing the problems left by the FNM government; restoring stable governance and fiscal responsibility and delivering on its electoral promises as set out in ﾑOur Plan.ﾴ
When it is all said and done, he said, the reincarnated PLP government deserves an excellent grade of A+.
ﾓWe are not running from our record,ﾔ Mr. Rigby told reporters.
ﾓWe have put this in the public domain and have said that based on what we have promised and what we have achieved as set out in ﾑOur Planﾴ, it is very evident to us that we are much further than we anticipated being just after 22 months in office. ﾓAnd we believe the government has done a stellar job in meeting those promises, solving problems and moving the country forward.ﾔ
Pointing to the governmentﾴs achievements since May, 2002, Mr. Rigby told the press in every instance ﾓthe PLP has promised and delivered.ﾔ
Touting the millions of dollars in direct foreign investments the government has sealed over the past months, Mr. Rigby said this alone is glowing proof of the confidence the outside world has in the PLP.
ﾓThis is a major distinguishing feature between the first 22 months of the FNM and that of this PLP government,ﾔ he said. ﾓThere is simply no comparison. We have delivered on our promise to unclog the lines of investment and develop neglected and forgotten settlements and islands. Rum Cay and South Eleuthera are just two examples of how we have delivered in just 22 months of office.ﾔ
But some would argue that with numerous foreign projects in the pipeline, the Christie administration has also fallen short and sold out the country, an accusation that has followed the FNM for years.
Mr. Rigby said the only area the PLP has fallen down in is consistently and systematically informing the public about what is being done in each Ministry.
Two weeks ago, the party embarked on what it said is a comprehensive public relations campaign, which is now in the form of radio advertisements designed to highlight the performances of each Ministry.
Mr. Rigby said the PLP made eight pledges to Bahamians during its campaign, promises, he said, the government remains steadfastly committed to.
ﾓThis PLP government will remain glued to solving the challenges of the Bahamian people and will usher in a sense of renewed respect for governance and will create a new prosperity that is unprecedented,ﾔ he said. ﾓNo one will deter us from our sacred commitment to the Bahamian people.ﾔ
The PLP government will mark its 2nd anniversary with a fun day at its headquarters on Farrington Road on Saturday.
On Sunday, the anniversary day, a prayer breakfast will he held at the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino, Cable Beach.
Church services will also be held the same day in a number of Family Islands.
The milestone will culminate with a national address from party leader and Prime Minster Perry Christie, possibly Monday.
Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
