Renewal 'Bigger Than Politics'
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREEPORT - Prime Minister Perry Christie says Urban Renewal 2.0 is bigger than politics and for it to work effectively it has to be “above politics”.
“Our politics must always take second place to the essential issue of moving the Bahamas forward,” Mr Christie said on Wednesday at the official launch of the programme in Grand Bahama at the Hilton Outten Convention Centre.
Deputy
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, and other cabinet ministers,
including National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, Minister of
Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin, and Labour Minister Shane
Gibson were also present.
Mr
Christie expressed his complete confidence in the appointment of
Algernon Allen, former FNM Cabinet minister, and Cynthia “Mother” Pratt,
former PLP Deputy Prime Minister, to head the Urban Renewal commission.
He said both are distinguished Bahamians who have a feel for people and who have the capacity to rise above politics.
“As
Prime Minister, I have to call on the all the people regardless of
their politics. The MPs in Grand Bahama all of them should understand
that it is bigger than them.
“We
are all in transition and this is about establishing a culture in this
country where young men know that if they walk into somebody’s house and
rape or try to rape, they will be caught and they will be severely
punished.
“This
is the reason why in our selection for the leaders of the Urban Renewal
commission, we chose two distinguish Bahamians – Algernon Allen, a
former minister in the FNM government, is that he has demonstrated in a
public capacity a feel for people, and young people in this country.
“And
co-leader, Cynthia Pratt, who served as DPM, brings to this mission an
incredible feel for people and one, who I think, like Algernon, has the
capacity to rise above politics.”
In
his remarks, Mr Allen said he comes “as a spiritual son of Sir Cecil
Wallace-Whitfield, but also a philosophical brother of Prime Minister
Perry Christie.”
He said that Urban Renewal is about changing lives – transforming a home, a street, and a community and uplifting those in need.
“This will be above politics. We send a clarion call to all to join us,” Mr Allen said.
July 19, 2012
Tribune242
