Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Michael C. Pintard, M.P., has set out a comprehensive vision for government that puts Bahamians first. His plan addresses the rising cost of living, housing, healthcare, crime, illegal immigration, and transparency and accountability.
Pintard pointed to the national debt approaching $14 billion, hundreds of millions in unpaid bills owed to workers, nurses, doctors, and contractors, and over half a billion dollars in no-bid contracts handed to political insiders as evidence that the current government has chosen the few over the many.
“Our country is at a crossroads. This general election will decide if the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will work better for the majority of our people or just for a few,” said Hon. Michael C. Pintard, Leader of the Free National Movement.
The policy priorities outlined by Pintard form part of the FNM’s full manifesto platform, a plan of action built around the National Development Plan’s Vision 2040, designed to deliver lasting change that endures beyond any single government.
On the rising cost of living, a Pintard administration will restore zero-rated VAT on everyday essentials, including expanded breadbasket items, electricity, medicine, baby products, and feminine hygiene products, and invest in food security through community farms and agri-partnerships to reduce the country’s food import bill by half a billion dollars.
On housing, the FNM is committing to 5,000 new homes in five years, backed by government-supported down payments for first-time buyers, Crown grants, tax breaks, and a modernised approvals process to make building faster.
On family support, the FNM will provide $200 per month for the first two years of a child’s life to ease pressure on young families, expand early childhood education across every island, and offer a minimum $100 weekly stipend for Bahamians learning a skill or trade.
On healthcare, Pintard committed to fixing Princess Margaret Hospital and the Rand, paying doctors and nurses on time, and reforming National Health Insurance so that providers are paid promptly, catastrophic coverage is expanded, and the system operates with full transparency.
On crime and security, the FNM will put more officers on the frontline with better pay, introduce independent oversight of law enforcement, and launch social intervention and youth development programmes focused on real results rather than press conferences that declare victory while armed robberies and sex crimes continue to rise.
On illegal immigration, Pintard highlighted Operation SHIELD — a plan to Secure borders, Heighten surveillance, Investigate abuse, End unfairness, Limit approvals, and Disclose data. He stated clearly that no one who enters The Bahamas illegally will obtain citizenship under his administration.
On expanding opportunity for all, the FNM will invest $100 million into Bahamian businesses, cut red tape, develop the Orange Economy and creative industries, establish a formal junkanoo industry with year-round employment, and expand banking access in the Family Islands.
On transparency and governance, the FNM committed to fully funding the Freedom of Information Act in its first year in office, opening the books on every contract, auditing national identity document offices, and ending the culture of no-bid contracts and political favouritism in public procurement.
Pintard was direct in drawing a contrast between FNM values and the current administration’s record. He pledged that a Pintard government would not fire public servants simply because they were hired under another administration and would not abandon projects because they were started by another party.
Addressing undecided voters directly, Pintard acknowledged the cynicism many Bahamians feel toward politics, but made the case that staying home changes nothing. His closing message was simple: the Bahamas we want is possible, but it requires Bahamians to believe it is worth fighting for.
##END##