Are we going to waste more time and money? The treasury, according to the government, is "broke"...In the almost two years you people have been joking around with this, you haven't discovered all the information you wanted?

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that the medical facilities and private practice physicians have to pay fees not only to the Port Authority, but to the Central Government itself, in essence double fees. How can this be right? For the rest of us in general, perhaps there should be a re-structuring not only to have a one-stop licencing facility, but in the way those licences are granted and the fees assessed. Seriously, between the gargantuan licencing fees for business that the Port imposes, and the monstrous power bills from GBPA, it is hard to open as well as keep a business going in Freeport. For many reasons, the Port cannot be allowed absolute autonomy; we already suffer from this, as the government itself takes a hands off approach when it comes to dealing with this issue, except when it comes to collecting taxes. That is when they are all over us. The Port answers to no one, and we feel helpless here. Where are the persons who should protect us from this? Minister of Grand Bahama, shouldn't this, in fact, be the mandate of your portfolio? This Port is the biggest thing that separates us from the rest of the country, and probably the largest contributor to why the island is in the state that it is in. Rather than dabbling in urban renewal and every other ministry, take a hold of and fix this.

Mr. Christie please, please stop. You are going to destroy us. Yes, the treasury needs money. Here are some suggestions other than this, which I am sure you have heard before. Collect all outstanding casino taxes. Halt the paying of 100% of the pension of certain civil servants; we can't afford it. Cut down your cabinet size. Stop creating positions willy nilly just to enrich your buddies. Let those in retirement stay there; they are not worth the fees you are paying out. Decrease the civil service; their large numbers hurt us all, especially in the many cases where there is no value for the money spent. Stop using NIB as a cash cow; I seriously expect my money to be there upon retirement, and this 60 million for 125 "low cost homes" and 900 grand for a single audit is not cutting it; we all object. Reign in your government's spending, and most importantly, govern since you wormed yourself into power. Stop pointing fingers and take some responsibility. You all said you had all the answers. Stop this garbage and fix it. That is all.

Was this put out to tender? Or is the cost of this included in that astronomical and ridiculous $800+ thousand dollars that their pals charged a few months ago? I hope this goes back straight to 2002 for analysis. We need to know what this current government did and covered up last time around too. They are just blatant with their abuse this time out.

PLP all de way!!!! SMT! Jokers. They are going to tax us all right out of existence. Whose brilliant idea was this?

That's enough! Mr. Mitchell, on behalf of our Bahamian people, sue them! This is beyond low, and the damage they have set out to do is untold. Make it very public and make them pay. Repatriate them post haste.

Mr. Christie, seriously now: what reality do you live in? You cannot claim credit for things you have not done. We all understand your desperate desire to establish a legacy, but this is not the way. History cannot be re-written and luckily we have other ways of documenting other than outrageous claims you make in the HOA. Do you want to be known for something? Here are a few suggestions. Make a speech encouraging Bahamians to improve themselves. Tell them it is okay to farm the land, fish and "be hewers of wood." There is no shame in that. Tell them it is ok to provide service and that it is not servitude. Promote saving and working for what one wants and not to squander and steal from one's brethren. And please do promote accurate history, including that of those who served prior to 1967 who have remained the architects of our economy for more than sixty years. Tourism, international finance are their ideas, their blueprints and you all make it seem like they did nothing, and credit others for it, just as you are attempting to do in this instance. Fix that please. That can be your legacy.

We didn't actually expect anything different from this government, now did we? These clowns need to get serious and actually govern the country.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Ingraham. Much as they may try, they cannot deny the MANY things you have done to facilitate our country moving forward. Thankfully in this day and age, we have the world wide web, and there is no way they can erase nor revise this history or the importance of your role in the forward progress of this nation.

Well then, here is a good task for Dr. Darville, the Minister for Grand Bahama. We have great infrastructure. The cost of electricity here is a direct deterrent to business success and attracting both foreign and domestic investors. We have all suffered enough, and the Port has more than made a profit (a killing, really) on their initial investment here. During your contribution to the debate, sir, please bring up the points we have mentioned here, and make a strong case for the government declaring Solar to be allowable, and as a primary source of power generation. We desperately need businesses, jobs, and a sustainable, humane lifestyle that is greatly threatened by monstrous electricity fees. I hold my breath every time I open my bill, this despite turning off breakers everyday and having not turned on my air condition in more than four years. We need help! I am sure Obie, Neko, Peter and Moss will back you up. How can you all just sit there and allow this to happen? You have the power. do something!!!