By CHESTER ROBARDS

Tribune Staff Reporter

crobards@tribunemedia.net

THE FREE National Movement (FNM) yesterday marked its 20th anniversary since it formed the government in 1992 while continuing to mourn the passing of the party’s national chairman, Charles Maynard.

Former Prime Minister and former leader of the FNM, Hubert Ingraham, released a statement yesterday from Grand Cay, Abaco, outlining the accomplishments of a party he led through 15 years as the government of the Bahamas and praising the continued work by the party’s new leadership.

But, before extolling his party’s list of accomplishments Mr Ingraham paid tribute to Charles Maynard, praising his contributions to the growth of the FNM.

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“Charlie Maynard represented the youthful and dedicated energy that has made the Free National Movement a wonderful reflection of the Bahamian spirit,” he said.

“Even as I salute the FNM, I also salute Charlie, and I acknowledge with deep gratitude all that he did for our party, my Government and our country. It should not be lost on any of us that Charlie “died on the job” taking care of FNM business.

“On this anniversary I am pleased to send greetings to and commend the leadership of the FNM which continues to labour in the field to safeguard a free and democratic Bahamas for this and future generations.”

In his statement Mr Ingraham touted the FNM’s hand in the recent modernization and improvement of the country’s infrastructure through the New Providence Road Improvement Project, and its opening up of the airwaves to put competition to the government-run media.

“As compared to pre-1992, today’s Bahamas is a more vibrant, modern country where citizens and residents enjoy private radio, television and telecommunications services giving voice to a wide-range of opinions free from government monopoly and control,” he said. “And today, citizens have access to cable television and the internet.”

Speaking at an anniversary service held at Tabernacle Independent Baptist Church in Grand Bahama, FNM deputy leader, Loretta Butler-Turner, remembered FNM leaders such as Garnet Levarity, C.A. Smith, J.M. Pinder, Neko Grant, Reverend Lindsey Russell and David Thompson.

“We remember them on this 20th anniversary of our Founding Fathers and the many freedom fighters who endured through the storm,” she said. “Even before we won office in 1992, the Free National Movement laboured to save democracy in this land.”

Mrs Butler-Turner touted her party as one that brought “transformative, progressive governance” to the Bahamas and the party’s former leader as “great reformer and modernizer.” And, she criticized the Progressive Liberal Party’s first 100 days in office, calling it a “bitter disappointment.”

“They have returned to their bad habits,” said Mrs Butler-Turner.

“I tell you today: look to the horizon... We must and will come through for the good of this country.”