By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement opened its first national rally in Grand Bahama on Saturday, with leader Michael Pintard urging voters to “fire” the Davis administration over what he called broken promises and stalled progress on the island.

Speaking at party headquarters, Mr Pintard zeroed in on the government’s recent statement on a proposed beach club tied to the long-delayed Grand Lucayan redevelopment, dismissing it as political optics ahead of the election.

“They issued a statement saying they welcomed a new partnership announcement, they didn’t announce that it’s been signed, sealed, and delivered,” he said. “They didn’t say that the money was in the bank. They said they welcomed an agreement. You see, you can’t claim progress when you haven’t left the starting line.”

He argued the timing of the announcement was designed to suggest movement after years of inaction, contrasting it with what he described as unmet commitments to sell the Grand Lucayan and build a new airport.

“Philip Davis and the PLP made you two solemn promises,” he said. “One of those promises was that they were going to sell the Grand Lucayan. The second promise was that they would build you a world-class airport. Four and a half years later, what is the reality?”

Mr Pintard said former hotel workers remain unpaid and pointed to the condition of the property, saying it is now closed with no running water.

He also targeted the structure of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, arguing that reform is needed to improve accountability and prevent conflicts between regulatory and commercial roles.

Turning to national issues, Mr Pintard accused the government of “walking off the job” ahead of the end of its term, arguing that key legislative matters could still be addressed before the election, including immigration and national security.

“I find it interesting that here is a government given a five-year contract, decides to walk off the job in five months left on the contract,” he said.

He cited what he described as recent allegations involving fraudulent voter cards, calling on the government to explain the matter.

“And so I want to say it plainly, no one who comes into the Bahamas illegally will ever have a pathway to citizenship in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Mr Pintard said, outlining the FNM’s proposed Operation SHIELD, which he said would tighten border controls, expand enforcement, and increase transparency.

Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright also attacked the government’s national security record, pointing to rising armed robberies and accusing officials of withholding full crime data.

“The prime minister of our nation tours a constituency and declares that his crime strategy is working,” he said. “On the very same day, his own Commissioner of Police confirmed that armed robberies are on the rise.”

Mr Cartwright further alleged that police, Customs and Immigration officers are underpaid and under-resourced, claiming some officers have struggled to access medical care due to unpaid insurance.

“The safety of this country is not a talking point,” he said. You cannot grow an economy in a country where people are afraid to open their front doors.”

Other candidates highlighted concerns about healthcare, education and youth unemployment.

Dr Charlene Reid said improvements at Rand Memorial Hospital remain incomplete, including the morgue, while Frazette Gibson pointed to deteriorating school conditions and strained teachers.

Omar Isaacs said youth unemployment remains above 20 percent and warned that young people are leaving Grand Bahama due to limited opportunities. He outlined plans for a weekly training stipend and a $100 million initiative to support Bahamian entrepreneurs.

The rally ended with a motorcade and fireworks, as Mr Pintard predicted the FNM would win all five Grand Bahama seats.