NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Opposition Finance spokesman Kwasi Thompson says the Davis administration’s upcoming fiscal budget must go beyond rhetoric and deliver real, inclusive economic growth that ordinary Bahamians can actually feel.
“Bahamians need to feel this so-called economic growth,” Thompson said. “Unfortunately, I do not believe that most Bahamians feel that we are growing economically. We must have in place policies that are going to make economic growth far more inclusive.”
He said that despite government claims of recovery, many people on the ground are not seeing or experiencing the benefits. “Everybody has to eat, and the policies the government puts in place must be geared toward making sure that economic growth is felt throughout the entire Bahamas—no matter what your job is or where you work.”
Thompson said the budget must prioritize top national concerns, including crime, the high cost of living, healthcare, and education. “We most definitely need to see crime and what the government’s plans are with respect to addressing crime. Also, how the government is going to allocate funding to deal with crime.”
He added: “Bahamians are having a hugely difficult time with inflation, with a high cost of living, and so we need to see the government plan and what they are planning to do to mitigate the cost of living for Bahamians.”
Thompson said healthcare remains another urgent priority. “There are challenges in New Providence, challenges in Grand Bahama, challenges really throughout the country with respect to our healthcare facilities. Bahamians need to see the plan and the allocation for how we are going to improve healthcare.”
He also stressed that the budget must reflect the needs of the people—not just the narrative of the government. “The country needs to see attention to the top priorities of all the elements. And I think that is what the budget process allows the government to do—present what the priorities of a government would be.”
Thompson called for stronger transparency and accountability measures as well, particularly on matters such as the Freedom of Information Act, the Public Procurement Act, and the proposed Office of the Ombudsman. “Bahamians need to see that the government is taking their jobs seriously in terms of government in the sunshine,” he said.
He accused the administration of misleading the public on taxes and fees. “They told us last year there were no increases in taxes, yet there were still increases in taxes and fees. Bahamian businesses were paying more, not just from the cost of living but from decisions made by the government.”
Thompson reiterated the FNM’s call for the removal of VAT on healthy foods as a measure to ease the burden on families. “We have been calling upon the government to take VAT completely off all healthy food. It just makes sense. Countries all over the world have been taking this as a measure to mitigate inflation and the cost of living.”
Thompson said the FNM will continue to push for policies that ensure ordinary Bahamians can see and feel economic progress. “That is a top priority for the Free National Movement. We’ve consistently been talking about it—policies must be put in place to make this growth inclusive, and that includes all Bahamians.”
