PM: Deficit to reach $500m

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

AS A result of the "dire" fiscal position left in place by the policies of the former FNM administration, Prime Minister Perry Christie predicted the deficit for the coming fiscal year to soar upwards of $500 million.

During his presentation of the 2012-2013 budget in the first meeting of the House of Assembly since the opening of Parliament last week, Mr Christie said the former government's financial and economic policies have left the government in a "dire" fiscal position with the deficit and debt levels much worse than anticipated.

Mr Christie said the Government Finance Statistics (GFS) for 2011-2012 is projected at $504 million with the deficit to be $550 million by the end of the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

He said: "In our very short time in office, however it has become clear to us that the previous Administration has, through its actions and fiscal policies, severely constrained our room to manoeuvre.

"We have been left with sizable, ongoing capital expenditure commitments and a legacy of contracts entered into in the final days of the former administration."

According to Mr Christie key components of the Charter of Governance will be immediately implemented as part of the government's programme of change, including Urban Renewal 2.0 and the implementation of house repairs and community improvements both of which will create employment opportunities.

$15 million will be allocated in the budget to facilitate these early programmes, he added.

Mr Christie said: "I want to reiterate the Government's firm resolve to redress, as we move forward, the fundamental structural imbalance that has been allowed to develop in the nation's finances over the past five years.

"We will implement the important structural reforms that I have set out above and thereby recreate the fiscal policy room needed to adequately implement our policy and programme agenda for the benefit of all Bahamians."

Development and implementation of legislation, policies and programme initiatives are included in the budget to combat crime, among them are amendments to the Police Act, creation of a National Intelligence Agency, development of a National Firearms Control Strategy, reintroduction of the Witness Protection Programme and Swift Justice Initiative, amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, school based policing and tourism-based policing.

Speaking at a press conference following the suspension of the House of Assembly, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis highlighted the initial objectives of the government in restoring fiscal stability to the country, these include the creation of a ministry of financial services and a ministry from Grand Bahama, acquisition of state of the art mammogram machines, implementation of the flight information region in consultation with the United States, as a revenue raising measure, reduction of Stamp Duty from 12 per cent to 10 per cent, Real Property Tax will be capped at $50,000, a reduction in Hotel Occupancy for existing hotels in Grand Bahama for a period of five years and a reduction in Hotel Occupancy tax for future hotels in Grand Bahama for a period of 10 years.

Mr Halkitis noted that there are no new taxes introduced at this time and a duty exemption for building materials and heavy equipment imported into Exuma will be restored.

Comments

Concerned says...

Mr Prime Minister believes that he and his party leaders are the only people in the Bahamas with a brain. Mr. PM, if the deficit is so high, why would you want to borrow another $500 Million? Then Mr. Prime Minister, when things get worse you will only blame it on the previous government. Also, isn't it great that the PLP now has the "perfect" excuse to not fulfill the list of bogus promises - blame it on the financial dilemma left behind by the FNM. Us educated people expect more. If you say that you will be ready from DAY ONE it meant that you already had a full grasp of everything going on and you can take the mantle from there. Is the PLP admitting that the shadow ministers, were not shadowing as they said they were. Weren't the PLP a part of House of Assembly meetings when budgets were being presented or is the PLP admitting to being disconnected.
Maybe the government is playing a game with the information it is putting out to the people to make it appear that things are so bad that gambling and oil drilling are the only other alternatives in order to sustain the country.
Whatever it is, something is going on, because the figures being present now, so do add up.
I refuse to be a fool for the government. Present facts and less talk.

Posted 31 May 2012, 5:13 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

I was wondering that how does borrowing to pay off debt works. I mean I really don't know. Either it would put you in more debt or it would move your debt from one creditor to the other but still be debt. I am understanding that Perry budget to fill some of his promises are included in this "debt". They keep saying this but they have not given any exact figures or evidence. And they prolly won't. Minister of Finance using words like "I think" "It could be". Gi real numbers bey Perry n u like Numbers anyway.

Posted 31 May 2012, 6:12 p.m. Suggest removal

positiveinput says...

242 dont play dumb. You know how borrowing to pay off debt works. Remember when you went and C O N S O L I D A T E your personal loans. Yeah its like that. lol

Posted 31 May 2012, 10:31 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

thanks for the explanation. how do you consolidate an estimate or perceived future debt?

Posted 1 June 2012, 9:44 a.m. Suggest removal

notsogullible says...

LOL!!, yeah how do you "positiveinput"?

Posted 1 June 2012, 2:44 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

the oueen has spoken lol

Posted 1 June 2012, 2:30 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

do you think they do their own make up or are we going to pay for someone to do that too

Posted 1 June 2012, 2:54 p.m. Suggest removal

notsogullible says...

I think we pay! LOL!

Posted 1 June 2012, 4:06 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

he look like he just eat sometin sour on that pic. Smile man ur dream came true. ur not a one time pm. now r u goin to make it a full term?

Posted 1 June 2012, 4:46 p.m. Suggest removal

positiveinput says...

The question you had asked 242 was how does borrowing to pay of debt works and I gave you a simple example that even you should have understood. Now its like after you have asked what is 1 x 1 you expected the answer for 1 x 2. Heres what to do, gather up all your questions and be clear what you need the answers for and dont just expect another person to tell you everything you DID NOT asked. Now from your response to my first comment, I guess what you was trying to ask was how could a person borrow to pay off debts without knowing how much he really is in debt. Well remember that time you had a traffic accident, (or from the way your brain works you must still have a donkey tied up somewhere that you ride), you acquire at least two quotes for repair, and in the case of the government debt, use those quotes as guidelines to make good the matter at hand.

Posted 1 June 2012, 5:11 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

Okay thanks positiveinput. You ain related to Meta World Peace ay? Cuz ur name just as ironic as his.

Posted 1 June 2012, 6:35 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

Cuz your desire to insult is not allowing you to answer positively. What does a car estimate gotta do with a man makin up a number without showing the facts. Who did he get this estimatee from which mechanic? However I do not know a lot about fiscal budgets and finance etc. Also I have not been in the House of Assembly to know the exact details that were presented and discussed therefore I have no right to argue as I have no evidence to back my argument that he didn't give details. You obviously have more knowledge on the topic, so you win. But I bet you will still be angry and continue to insult just like sour face pm. Giddy up Donkey! Gas too expensive anyway misewell ride a donkey.

Posted 1 June 2012, 6:45 p.m. Suggest removal

Arob says...

"Finance Michael Halkitis highlighted the initial objectives of the government in restoring fiscal stability to the country.."
What is Minister Halkitis talking about? What is the PLP government's definition of "fiscal responsibility"?
A financial definition is " Fiscal Responsibililty - The Bahamas government’s growth-oriented policies that sustain the nation’s debt-to-GDP ratio at 60% plus-or-minus 20%."
According the The Nassau Guardian "The Bahamas debt at the end of 2011/2012 is now projected at just over $4 billion or 50.6% of GDP. " Taneka Thompson 5/30/2012.
Based on the above, are we in a "... "dire" fiscal position left in place by the policies of the former FNM administration"?
We love to compare ourselves with others. For example "tiny" Barbados. According to the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Dr. Delisle Worrell ".. the current ratio at March 2012 is about 74 per cent and in line with the [country's] reduction .. strategy... If [Barbados] bring it down 0.6 per cent of GDP, the overall debt to GDP ratio comes down to 65 per cent.” Barbdos Advocate 5/4/2012
Is the $504 million needed to finance the 30,000 increase in public service jobs, the "gussymae" cabinet, urban renewal, BTC share bay back, road reversal etc. etc. etc. ?

Posted 1 June 2012, 5:18 p.m. Suggest removal

positiveinput says...

Yeah he ate something sour, the position the fnm left the country in. You would have your face make up too if you tasted it. Then again its a photo so you would not have seen when he smiles knowing that the problems are going to be fixed.

Posted 1 June 2012, 5:35 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

Okay I don't like to argue you got that one too. I gonna take my Donkey for a spin.

Posted 1 June 2012, 6:49 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

the 500 million is like the 800million in debt increase from 2002 to 2007 ,,do you see anything that 800million did for the country ,,excluding s mckinnys salary

Posted 1 June 2012, 6:26 p.m. Suggest removal

positiveinput says...

Actually, I try sometimes to let my comments reflect my SCREEN NAME but when provoked by persons like you I tend to post positive comments with slight attitude. Continuing with your question, if Meta World Peace was my relative I would never know because again, its a screen name or is with 242 is your birth given.

Posted 1 June 2012, 6:52 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

Like I said you will continue to insult...well try to insult i should say. I have no proof that wasnt at the house of assembly you won. It's over. Just like May 7

Posted 1 June 2012, 6:55 p.m. Suggest removal

llehteb says...

It is amazing the level of ignorance of 242 and the other FNM supporters; that cannot accept that the PLP is the governent; who should thank the PLP for helping them to remove the blinders that they have been forced to wear and endure over the last 5 years. This Christie administration will prove to be the absolutely best solution for this country. But any idiot should know that it is going to take time to fix the total screw-up left in place by the last band of incompetiance.

Posted 2 June 2012, 1:43 p.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

If my above statement of me backing out of an argument I had no business in shows ignorance, then i ain know what yall is. I realize how emotional and hurt plps get when you say anything bout they precious Perry Christie. Ya'll the most unhappy winners I ever see. Let me point out one thing between the DNA and FNM the majority of voters voted against the plp "And the voice of the people is the voice of....." Yall plp please stop calling God name in vain please. I will try my best not to insult Perry cuz I realize I actin just like yall by doing that. All yall do is insult anyone who share different views. But it is the same example the plp leaders do so what else can we expect from the followers.Continue yall blame game and continue callin Hubert Ingraham name the Best thing that ever happen to the Bahamas. Ya'll IN, I keep saying this do the work and stop running on.

Posted 3 June 2012, 12:38 a.m. Suggest removal

242 says...

And wait til them 14 15 16 and 17 year olds be ready to vote in the next election. Da one name OVA! OR!!! Ignitin the Future! cold!

Posted 3 June 2012, 12:40 a.m. Suggest removal

notsogullible says...

Yes Bethell, I guess the FNM should thank the PLP for removing the blinders like how PLP's thanked the FNM back in 1992 and 2002. If you don't agree then stop the darned HYPOCRISY! It wasn't very long ago that the PLP got whooped at an election. And yes the FNM also spent a lot of time fixing the screw-ups of the PLP 2002-2007 administration.

Posted 2 June 2012, 2:44 p.m. Suggest removal

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