So now we are in for a "its a witchhunt" every time (and there will be many) theft by employment and other dishonest activities are being investigated. Grow up Wayne and realize that you make money often defending the indefensible and really don't care about the bigger picture.

You are a total PLP arse Birdie. The fnm never said they would repeal VAT rather look at how and on what services it is being levied. Just remember these past PLP Gods that you worship not only wasted all the VAT money (what other words can I use as no proper explanation was given as to how the VAT money was spent) but more borrowed on top. So the new government has a very tricky balancing act to show the external monetary authorities that the national debt is being paid down, that expenditure is drastically reduced yet trying to improve peoples lives.

Really simple. Large auction held to sell the impounded goods before they deteriorate or disappear .

Funny how we have lived through the lowest oil prices in decades, yet freight charges remained the same or rose. Funny how shopkeepers keep raising their prices but never pass on savings,Interesting that government revenue always rises as the cost of items imported rises,but this seems to be ignored. Very interesting that despite record income from VAT and a host of other rises the last government can' or would not account for how it was spent and still borrow more. Lastly shopkeepers have the burden of working for the government for free collecting taxes and having audits then are judged by a civil servant in a nice cosy AC office who can go home every day at the same time yet may be in a position to levy a fine on the overworked businessman/woman for being late. A simple premise is that the more the government takes out of the economy the less there is to stimulate growth and spending and like a vicious circle the less taxes collected.

So correct. Firstly Mr Minns after teaching for over 40 years in high schools, I was promised by the Director of Education without solicitation, that I could teach after 65. Reality is that was a lie and as in many cases I and others have been replaced by Cubans who often cannot speak English properly, may have no knowledge of the subject and remain isolated from the community whilst gathering together as many electronic goodies as they can to take back, In fact our esteemed Deputy Director (I am being sarcastic ) actually went to Cuba to recruit which makes it all the more damming when you consider your experience and Bahamian nationality.
The system is broken with many lousy insecure Principals, and a dysfunctional Ministry of Education. Even better the Director already having had one extension to work beyond 65 has applied for a further extension. One rule for him and one rule for everybody else.

Granted Birdie Christie did some things and whilst not a supporter I sympathize with his exit after 40 years in public service. We are all human and make mistakes . Having said that much of what was done was not thought out and a financial burden on a country facing further downgrading and possible devaluation. The reality is that VAT became a big cookie jar to fund all manner of legitimate and shady schemes. Not only were record revenues collected but he oversaw the borrowing of yet more money. There is a simple truth in life and applied to most citizens. " If you can't afford your dream set your sights lower on things you can afford". Are you blind to the almost comical cost of food ? There used to be name brand products which were expensive to many but then there were the generic no name brands that the poor and single parent families could afford. Now even the cheap no name food has reached ridiculous prices and people are struggling to feed their families. So in essense we have the past Prime MInister saying it is easy to "piss away money" spending and borrowing like there is no tomorrow (which is fast approaching by the way) and totally out of touch with the ordinary folk trying to survive. Another facet of this mismanagement is that crime is linked to lack of education and poverty. Both caused by the total failure to manage our finances.

Any project of this scope needs thorough vetting by the Ministry of Tourism and a large cash deposit that can be used to defray expenses and pay vendors should it fail.

Time to root out all the corruption in every Ministry. Time to put government projects out to tender, time to get bids on government purchases, time to advertise government positions so all Bahamians if qualified get a chance. Why for example here in Central Eleuthera was land for the new clinic/hospital purchased from Phillip Bethel rather than use crown land readily available. Why was the construction of the new facility ($30,000000) which the country cannot afford not open to bids. What a hypocrite he is . These irregularities are repeated all over the Bahamas. If you were not PLP over the last 5 years, you didn't get a chance.

"hold the government accountable" ???????????? I think the boot is on the other foot and much will be revealed and we will see how accountable the PLP was---NOT.

Because political favoritism extend to some senior officers and don't forget that many officers are masons and sworn to help each other.