BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard yesterday accused Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis of intentionally misleading the public about the country’s fiscal position by repeatedly presenting inaccurate financial projections to paint a “rosy picture” that all is well.

Mr Pintard’s comments came in response to Mr Davis’ strong denial that he ever projected a $135.4m fiscal surplus for April—despite the figure being outlined in his written 2025-2026 Budget communication.

“I never projected a surplus in April,” Mr Davis told the House of Assembly Wednesday. “And, in fact, this concept of the deficit in April was raised by the member for east Grand Bahama that he continues to repeat. We are not denying it’s a deficit. We’re not denying it. There was a deficit,” said Mr Davis.

However, as previously reported by The Tribune, Mr Davis, while presenting the 2025-2026 Budget in May, praised April’s revenue performance and projected a $135.4m surplus.

The Ministry of Finance has since confirmed that April ended with a $2.1m deficit — a significant discrepancy. Officials later explained that the initial figure was based on preliminary estimates and was revised during the standard Treasury reconciliation process.

In a live Facebook post, Mr Pintard questioned the prime minister’s credibility, particularly regarding his budget pronouncements.

“The prime minister continues to tell untruths to the Bahamian people,” he said. “Either he does not have proper recollection of the facts when he says them at first, or he is intentionally misleading us.” 

The Opposition leader also questioned how the government could go from projecting a $135m surplus to ending with a deficit, calling the confusion both “embarrassing” and “dangerous.”

“Again, it is because the Prime Minister is intentionally trying to create hype around how well they are doing, when in fact we are challenged as a country. And when the facts come out, the facts show we are not doing as well as he projected we would do.”

Mr Pintard further criticised Mr Davis for attacking the media and opposition whenever he is challenged on discrepancies or inaccuracies.

He argued that the country’s situation is not as the prime minister portrays it, pointing to ongoing shortages in public hospitals and clinics, unpaid vendors, and the suspension of critical medical services.

“If you have a surplus, how is it that the hospital and clinic are in a ‘pop down’ state? If you have all this money, why are local contractors in Grand Bahama in the small homes repair programme not being taken care of?” he asked.

When pressed about the prime minister’s discrepancies yesterday, Office of the Prime Minister press secretary Keishla Adderley declined to comment directly, instead emphasising that the administration has been focused on lowering the country’s deficit and improving the economy.

She said: “I will not add to what the prime minister has said or to take away from anything that he has said. “

Mr Pintard, meanwhile, said Bahamians deserve a government that is honest about the challenges facing the country, not one that paints “a rosy picture” to win re-election.

“The words of a prime minister must be precise, credible and based in facts. When they aren’t, the consequences are serious,” he said in a statement. “And let me say this plainly: this wasn’t an isolated incident. This is part of a pattern of financial recklessness, public statements and dishonesty.”