In a glitzy choreographed event that stayed on script but saw no actual release of a physical plan, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) last night laid out its so-called path to continued progress, pledging tougher action on illegal immigration, policies to build a stronger economy, measures to tackle a housing crisis, and other promises designed to secure a second consecutive term in office.
The event, held at the University of The Bahamas, featured Prime Minister Philip Davis and the party’s candidates in coordinated outfits, outlining elements of the PLP’s plan ahead of the May 12 general election.
Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said another PLP administration would strengthen the protection of the country’s borders with clearer rules, digital enforcement, and real consequences.
“We will procure a National Biometric Immigration System and deploy biometric e-Gates that flag prior deportees and multiple-identity fraud, with overstay alerts triggered within 48 hours,” Munroe said.
“We will implement daily overstay fines from day one. We will strengthen employer compliance, because for every undocumented worker you have, you will pay.”
He announced that the penalty will rise from $5,000 for a first offense, to $10,000 for a second, and $15,000 plus 12 months imprisonment for a third offense.
“And employers who intentionally and repeatedly break our immigration laws will also face a ban period before they can reapply for new work permits,” Munroe added.
“If you facilitate passport fraud or documentation fraud, you will face mandatory criminal penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment or fines up to $50,000,” Munroe said.
He said migrants must carry health insurance or enroll in a new migrant health insurance scheme.
“Our public healthcare system will no longer carry that burden on its own,” Munroe said.
Minister of Works and Family Island Development Clay Sweeting said the government would begin public consultation on a new city in Andros, laying the basis for a major center of economic activity and long-term development.
Sweeting also said, “We will meet with Grand Bahama Port Authority licensees to develop a roadmap for development and to secure annual payments and arrears from the Grand Bahama Port Authority through the second phase of arbitration.”
He added, “We will keep moving ahead with the Freeport Health Campus, the Grand Bahama International Airport, and the Grand Lucayan redevelopment.
“Grand Bahama carries too much promise to drift. We intend to help write a new chapter for that island, with growth in tourism, logistics, maritime activity, technology, events, and enterprise.”
PLP candidate for Fort Charlotte Sebas Bastian pledged that a PLP government would build a continuous pipeline of affordable homes across New Providence and the Family Islands by partnering with high-capacity developers to increase and accelerate construction efforts.
“This includes new subdivisions in areas where demand is growing, as well as a Social Housing Acquisition Programme that will purchase and rehabilitate distressed and abandoned properties, bringing them back into the affordable housing pool,” said Bastian, a major player in the web shop industry whose business interests include real estate development.
“Through private sector partnerships we will increase the supply of quality rental units at prices working Bahamians can afford. This initiative will provide flexibility for families and ensure that housing options are available at every stage of life.”
He said the government would strengthen tenant protections.
“And let me be clear,” Bastian added. “Landlords who rent unsafe, unhealthy, and low-standard living spaces will be held accountable. Too many Bahamians are paying good money for places with poor plumbing, unsafe wiring, and conditions that fall below a decent standard of living.”
Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal Keith Bell said a PLP government would demand better performance from state-owned enterprises.
“We will require all state-owned enterprises to submit binding business plans by 2027, with clear milestones to reduce dependence on government subsidies by 2029,” Bell said.
He said a Davis administration would enact modern competition law to ban price-fixing and penalize abuse of market dominance.
“We will create a rapid-response anti-gouging system so people can report unjustified price hikes, and government can investigate and act,” Bell said.
He said the Davis administration would diversify trade and open more direct sourcing from lower-cost suppliers, so savings have a better chance of reaching the Bahamian consumer.
Minister of Labour and the Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle said the government would increase maternity leave from 12 to 14 weeks and provide two weeks of paid paternity leave, and a legal right to adoption leave.
“We will guarantee every worker a paid one-hour break on shifts of eight hours or more, and at least eight hours of rest between shifts,” Glover-Rolle said.
“We will recognize mental health as a workplace right by providing three mental wellness days each year, with no doctor’s note required.”
Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis once again pledged “a modern, disciplined, national energy strategy that is already delivering results”.
Minister of Health and Wellness Michael Darville pledged to complete the Freeport Health Campus and deliver a new, modern, specialty hospital facility in New Providence.
“That means modern medical infrastructure, expanded capacity, and improved delivery of care for the Bahamian people,” Darville said.
“We are also moving forward with extending health insurance coverage to all public servants, including government contract workers. It is our firm belief that those who serve this country should know they are protected when illness comes. That kind of security should not be uncertain but a firm commitment,” he said.
“At the same time, we are taking a long-term approach to the health of our population. We will continue to build on the National Health Strategy and implement a 10-year plan to reduce cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease, with a focus on prevention, early detection, and community-based care.”
Darville also promised investment in healthcare workers.
And he announced, “We will introduce legislation to deal with elder abandonment. Families will have a duty of care, and social services will have stronger authority to step in earlier. Our seniors deserve better protection and dignity.”
Agriculture Minister Jomo Campbell said that by 2030, the Davis administration would reduce national food import expenditure by 25 percent — keeping an additional $200 million circulating in the Bahamian economy every single year.
Touting the government’s school breakfast program, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said it would be expanded to every junior high school, reaching more than 7,000 additional students.
Among other pledges, she announced, “We will support every student in every government school with programs in AI literacy, coding, mathematics, and language training.”
The event presented an opportunity for the prime minister, his deputy, Chester Cooper, and other PLP candidates to present their opponents in the Free National Movement as unserious and incapable of leading The Bahamas through its many challenges.
“The truth is that you cannot manage a serious country in serious times with unserious leadership,” Cooper said.
Davis said he is proud to run on his party’s track record.
“It is not perfect, but we have lifted the country out of the multiple crises we met, and put us on a path of growth and positive national development,” he said.
Davis questioned whether Bahamians really want to wake up to an FNM victory the day after the election.
“On May 13th, do you want to wake up to a party that is divided, has no sensible plan, who time and again have proven themselves to be incompetent, or do you want to wake up to a government with a proven track record, united behind a vision of how to work towards a better Bahamas, and well-prepared to engage with the rest of the world to promote and defend the interests of all Bahamians?”
The PLP has pledged to release its “Blueprint for Progress” today.
