by Rick Lowe

Since 2007 we were told that the FNM had done away with the Urban Renewal programme started by the PLP during their last term in office (2002-2007).

Now we're told that some 85 people (allegedly FNM supporters) will be losing their jobs from Urban Renewal offices here on New Providence and in Grand Bahama.

As noted in this post from August 2011, it "…turns out, according to the government agency responsible, over $14 million has been budgeted and one assumes spent on Urban Renewal from 2006 through the  2012 Budget, and New Providence now has 9 Centres (instead of 8) and offices on Grand Bahama have grown from 6 to 7."

Seems to me, the people that were contracted to do these jobs that are being "fired" when their contract ends, deserve an opportunity to re-apply for the jobs they were doing, and if they were doing a good job, and the centre is remaining open, they should have their contract renewed.

After all, these people are Bahamians and the new government insisted they put us first didn't they? Either FNM's are not Bahamians or the PLP misled people on this issue.

So this confirms that the Urban Renewal offices were never closed – in fact they were increased along with the budget dollars spent on them.