FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Former FNM Minister of Works and Transport Neko Grant MP for Central Grand Bahama and his Grand Bahama Parliamentary colleagues Peter Turnquest, MP for East Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson, former candidates Norris Bain and Pakesia Parker- Edgecombe have all joined their voices with those airing concerns about more than 41 urban renewal workers in Grand Bahama and 35 in New Providence losing their jobs at the end of June 2012..

“The decision of the PLP to send Bahamians home and to the unemployment line at this time is both heartless and insensitive. What is this PLP Government thinking of? In the middle of the worst recession in the history of our country, the PLP government is now leading the way in creating unemployment. This is a slap in the face to Grand Bahama and workers everywhere in theBahamasshould be concerned and fearful for their future. This is the wrong action and the wrong message to send to Bahamians.

We cannot see how we representing the people of Grand Bahamacan sit idly by and say nothing in the face of this shocking, confused and fearful action. We would hate to see all that urban renewal has built up inGrand Bahamadestroyed by the whims and fancies of a PLP government that clearly does not care for people. We urge the Christie administration NOT TO SEND THESE WORKERS HOME and to make allowances for the absorption of these workers in the public sector as we in the FNM did in 2007.

It is obvious that this PLP Government instead of finding ways in which to expand the economy and create opportunities to reduce unemployment is going in the opposite direction. If this Government is truly committed to the expansion of our ailing economy why are they putting Bahamians out of work in ourBahamas?

We condemn this PLP government for this heartless and insensitive act and call on all workers in The Bahamas to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters at urban renewal. We implore Bahamians of goodwill everywhere to stand with the workers of urban renewal who are losing their jobs due to the PLP Government’s bad decision and poor leadership in dismissing Bahamians at Urban Renewal, and being responsible for these Displaced Workers now joining the long unemployment lines inGrand Bahama.

The Urban Renewal program was created in response to the past and current problems facing a number of inner-city communities in The Bahamas, such as crime, poor housing conditions, unemployment and other social ills that contribute to crime and anti-social behavior. URBAN RENEWAL over it existence has become an indication by successive governments of care, of vision and commitment to building our communities. The Staff is excited to be involved with this project which offers tremendous opportunities for changing the community and making a positive impact in taking social work out of the office and where the people are to better meet their needs. .The STAFF at Urban Renewal remains committed to this cause and those that care about the welfare of the nation should applaud any efforts put forth to keep this great initiative going

Bahamians are reminded that when the Future of Urban Renewal was queried in January 2008 by then PLP Member of Parliament Melanie Griffin  calling on the Hubert Ingraham administration to come clean on the situation regarding Urban Renewal employees in Grand Bahama, whom she claimed were to be redeployed, that the FNM  confirmed  to the nation that despite allegations to the contrary  there would be no terminations from the Urban Renewal programme

Can Prime Minister Christie now give a similar commitment to these Bahamian workers or will he hide behind the PLP party line that “Their contracts are not being renewed”?  For Christie in the face of such job loss and sending Bahamians home unemployed to stand on this would be the height of hypocrisy and deception in governance and clearly demonstrate to all Bahamians that we cannot  TRUST the  PLP..

At a time when Bahamians are struggling with record violence and record unemployment, and looking for a new direction, and for a government that believes in Bahamians which said it was ready to bring big change, starting on day one it is time to put Bahamians first and SAVE the JOBS of these Bahamian urban renewal workers in our Bahamas.

www.fnm2012.org