By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis attended a prayer breakfast in Grand Bahama on Saturday, calling for unity among party members.

He said that the FNM must be able move forward united with one voice in order to win the government, rid the country of corruption and restore honest governance.

Dr Minnis later told The Tribune that the Christie administration has failed to address and tackle corruption.

“It is essential that we remove this PLP government, and one of the first things we will do is introduce anti-corruption legislation, with an anti-corruption unit,” he said.

The Killarney MP said that such a unit would have its own independent budget and legislative authority to investigate a prime minister and members of Cabinet.

He also stressed that it is essential that such matters are referred to an independent director of public prosecution (DPP), and that the law is amended so that the attorney general has no oversight of the DPP so that there is no political interference in investigations.

Dr Minnis said the PLP has also failed to deliver on its promises to the Bahamian people.

“This government has proven that it does not have the ability to govern the country properly as we face too many problems, such as high unemployment, crime, and rampant victimisation,” he added.

He said that the FNM is a party built on the foundation of honesty, transparency, and respect for law and order and will restore honest governance.

While in Freeport, Dr Minnis said that he was very pleased with the support he received from party members in Grand Bahama. This comes amid talk of an internal rift within the FNM.

“The support was great, and I think I addressed those internal issues; yes, we must pull forward as one party and speak with one voice because we must save this country from another term of bad governance by the PLP government, which has proven to be the worst government this country has seen,” said Dr Minnis.

He stressed that The Bahamas is in a state of decline.

“I am especially concerned about young people having a better Bahamas (to live in). I consider myself a transitional leader preparing for the change, and for our young people to move forward and for the country to move even further.”