fnm's progress in government

8/3/2019 FNM's progress in government

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Hand Book Progress on

Accomplishments of the

Free National Movements

Trust Agenda 2007-2012

Message from the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham

Prime Minister & Minister of FinanceParty Leader

My Fellow Bahamians:

The FNM Government has introduced some of the most progressive

legislation and historic initiatives in the modern Bahamas, including ashorter work week, minimum wage, unemployment benefits, womensrights, social assistance, poverty alleviation, national prescription drug plan,

business enhancement and environmental protection.

The FNM is proud of what it has accomplished since its election to office inMay 2007.

Notwithstanding the terrible economic and financial challenges impactingThe Bahamas, and indeed the world, during this term in office, we havecompleted more, much more, than the PLP accomplished during their lastfull five years in office during a period which they have described as

buoyant economic times.

We put fiscal policies in place and caused job-creating physicalinfrastructure upgrade and expansion which has helped to stabilize oureconomy. The measures we have put in place and the infrastructure we have

built are designed to unleash Bahamian entrepreneurial talent to strengthenour ability to grow the Bahamian Economy and to allow us to cushion and

withstand economic shocks. These public investments and our prudentmanagement have put The Bahamas in a favourable position to takeadvantage of the economic recovery as it occurs.

The FNM also put in place other policies, investments, and criticalleadership required to safeguard the country in terms of crime fighting andnational security, health care and social security, education and youth


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development, and environmental protection and the preservation of ourcultural heritage.

We continue to modernize government and to revise and update our lawsincluding laws touching many areas of national life. The FNM vision is

built on the ideals of opportunity and responsibility, fairness and equality,and good governance through accountability, transparency and the efficientuse of the peoples resources in order to build a better Bahamas.

We believe that the Bahamian people will continue to repose their trust in us.We will continue to honour that trust by providing the steady hands and clearvision to safeguard the Bahamian people.

While we are proud of our accomplishments, there is more to be done. We

continue to focus our efforts on completing projects in train and fulfill manyother items on our Trust Agenda in keeping with budgetary discipline andthe long-term needs and good of our people.

We have worked tirelessly to restore your trust in Government by matchingour promises with actions, not just words.


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SECURING OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE

The vivid lessons learned from the worst economic circumstances theworld has seen in over eighty years are manifested in the extent and rapidity

of globalization and its impact on our economy. Accordingly, we haveresponded with tangible, measurable ways to ensure our people have a socialsafety net, are prepared to compete, our public institutions are equipped tolead and that we safeguard the strength and essence of The Bahamas. Henceour systematic investment in airports and sea ports, our comprehensiveoverhaul and implementation of e-government, expanding environmentalstewardship through legislation and support for environmental organizationsand unparalled investment in our people through education, scholarships andtraining.

Investment in Infrastructure Development

In order to stabilize the economy and provide employment during the

global economic downturn, and in fulfillment of our promise to upgrade

and enhance infrastructure around the country, the FNM Government

has:

! Launched a capital expenditure stimulus programme in the amount of

$750 million generating thousands of jobs and creating considerableeconomic activity. This has provided the basis for investment and hasimproved the quality of life for our people.

Infrastructural Development Around the Country

New Providence:

! Undertook and continuing an extensive island-wide New

Providence Cleanup & Beautification Project.

! Completed the $50 million dredge of Nassau Harbour making itaccessible to the new Genesis Class Cruise Ships (e.g. Oasis of the

Seas) in 2009.

! Construction of the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium

at the Q.E. Sports Centre and ancillary works including parking

and green space.

!


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! Constructing new access roads for the new Thomas A RobinsonStadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre that will, whencompleted this year, connect the stadium to Thompson Blvd, BaillouHill Road and the 6 legged round about at JFK Drive

! Completed Phase I of the $400 million redevelopment of the

Lynden Pindling International Airport the new US Departures

Terminal - on time and within budget in Spring 2011

! Commenced the Phase II development of the new International

Arrivals Terminal transforming LPIA into a world class facility.

! Made extensive structural repairs to Government House

! Undertook and completed repairs and upgrade to the House of

Assembly, Hanzard and Senate Buildings at Rawson and

Parliament Squares.

! Acquired the former Ansbacher House and undertaking repairs and

upgrade to transform the building into the Judicial Complex! Constructed new mooring dolphins at Prince George Wharf

! Completed and occupied the Magistrates Complex on South St., aproject stopped by the last PLP Administration

! Utilized the dredged material from the harbour to extend Arawak Cay

! Advanced plans to create a new seafront leading from Prince GeorgeDock to Malcolm Park

! Approved the construction of an outdoor FIFA Futsol pitch, ToiletBlock, Administrative Building and practice field at Malcolm Park toenhance outdoor recreation and tourism.

! Entered into a public-private partnership to construct the new CargoPort on the extended Arawak Cay making it the main port for NewProvidence, and setting the stage for the transfer of all cargo fromdowntown Nassau by early 2012. The new Port will significantlyrelieve traffic congestion from downtown Nassau

! Provided opportunity for a cross section of Bahamians to purchaseshares in the new APD Company through an IPO offering

! Constructed a new Customs Inland warehousing facility off GladstoneRoad complementing the new cargo port and creating an additional

100 construction jobs.! Constructed and opened the new Nassau Straw Market

! Collaborating with the City of Nassau Redevelopment Committee

to transform our Capital Citys downtown area inclusive of

creation of enhanced green spaces such as the new Pompey Sq. to

be developed at the western entrance to the City and at Rawson

and Parliament Sq.


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! Completed therenovation and expansion of the Geriatric Hospital and

the construction of a new Child and Adolescent Unit and RobertSmith Ward at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Hospital

! Commenced the construction of the new PMH Critical Care Block

!Facilitated the launch of construction of the Baha Mar MegaResort Project at Cable Beach

! Implemented a comprehensive signage program to mark publicbeaches, streets and places of interest.

! Completed the new Bahamas Tourism Centre on JFK Drive

! Acquired, renovated and upgraded the new Cecil Wallace-WhitfieldCentre at Goodmans Bay West Bay Street to house the Office of thePrime Minister and the Ministry of Finance

Infrastructure Works in Grand Bahama & Family Islands:

Grand Bahama:

- Construction of a $16 million Government OfficeComplex

- Construction of new A&E and new operatingtheatres at the Rand Memorial Hospital

- Constructed and opened the Sister Mary Patricia

Russell Junior High School- Expansion of the Sister Mary Patricia RussellJunior High School

- Repaired and reopened West End Post Office afterbeing closed since November 2006

- Markings & reflectors placed on the roads betweenSeagrape and West End

- Repair of Holmes Rock graves damaged byhurricane in 2005

- Freeport Produce Exchange is being repaired at a

cost of over $300,000.- Williams/Russell Town sea walls & sidewalks

completed and restroom facility and boat rampunder construction

- Reconstruction of Water Cay dock destroyed in2004


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- High Rock seawall and boat rampconstructed

- McCleans Town Dock and multi-purpose buildingbeing constructed, providing a ferry ticket booth &passenger waiting area

Abaco:

- Constructed the new Wilson City power plant- Planned and constructed the new $19 million

Central Abaco Government Complex- Reconstruction of the Bay Front Road with

concrete, restoring original charm- Contract awarded for Marsh Harbour By-Pass

Road

- Central Abaco High School constructedadministrative and technical blocks at a cost of$802,000

- North Abaco sidewalks constructed at a cost of$500,000.

- Road works amounting to $3.5 million- Installation of sidewalks in heavily trafficked areas

of Abaco- Construction of the new Marsh Harbour

International Airport Terminal Building, ControlTower and Fire and Crash Facility - $27 million

- Completed the landscape of the airside of MarshHarbour International Airport (to be named theLeonard Thompson International Airport)

- Awarded a contract to repave the Treasure CayAirport Runway and Parking Apron Constructingthe new North Abaco Port and By-pass Road

- Complete the North Abaco Public Beach Facility- Completed Green Turtle Cay water upgrade

- Implemented the Green Turtle Cay subdivision.- implemented the comprehensive waste handling

system on Hope Town with Local Government


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Andros:

- Expanded the West Side National Park in Andros- Awarded contract for reconstruction of the Fresh

Creek Dock- Awarded contracts for South Andros Bridges repair

i.e. the Deep Creek and Little Creek Bridges- Fresh Creek Dock refurbishment $1.7 million- Planning for construction of Lowe Sound primary

School- Signed the Contract for repair and re-paving of

Staniard Creek Roads -$2.5 million- Stopped the Interim Andros/New Providence water

Barging Scheme after 39 years

Crooked Island & Acklins:

- Road works completed at a cost of $4.3 million- Boat ramp & gazebo for residents & bone fishing

enthusiasts under construction in Acklins- Plans are in train to reconstruct the South Acklins

roads from Spring Point to Salina Point- New Cabbage Hill Primary School

Cat Island:

- Installation of a new trailer at The Bight Airportcosting $50,000

- Repair to Bennetts Harbour Dock- Repair of roads damaged by Hurricane Irene


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Eleuthera:

- South Eleuthera road works undertaken at a cost of

$4.6 million- Current Settlement roads rebuilt at a cost of $1.4

million- Reconstruction of Ferry and Freight Dock at

Current Island- Harbour Island Road works- ongoing works at a

cost of $1.4 million- Completed and commissioned Water Works project

for Tarpum Bay & Rock Sound- Awarded Contract for repairs to the Three Island

Dock

- Contract awarded for construction of new 6Classroom Block and renovation to existingclassrooms and construction of 6 classroom blockat Spanish Wells All-Age School

- Completed Harbour Island Water Mains Upgrade

Exuma:

- Repairs to Georgetown Dock and Road- Construction of Exuma By-Pass Road- Repairs to Docks at Black Point and Farmers Cay- Repairs to Ferry Bridge and culvert at Farmers

Hill Bridge

Inagua:

- Repaving of roads

Long Island:

- Reconstruction of seawall and main road in Simmsdamaged by hurricane Michelle in 2001

- Refurbishment and reconstruction of the SimmsDock including widening and raising loadingramp, dredging turning basin and widening


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entrance and bulk heading/seawalls and paving offreight and parking area

- Dredging of turning basin and reconstruct the dockarea in Salt Pond Harbour, rebuilding of new dockand paving of freight and parking area

- Reconstruction of roads in Turnbull, Scrub Hill,Benzi Hill, Pseidon Point, White House andMcKann's

- Construction of new technical and vocationalblock at NGM High school and 2-classroom andpre-school blocks at Mangrove Bush

- construction and paving of 200m track atDeadman's Cay school

- contract has been signed for the reconstruction of

roads in Millers and McKinney

Ragged Island:

- Re-construction and paving of runway at DuncanTown Ragged Island

- Re-construction and paving of all roads betweenGun Point & Duncan Town

- Airport with underground mains delivering waterto homes

- Constructing new RBDF base at Gun Point withnew port/marina which will also accommodatemail boat service"

- Repair of Ragged Island Port- Restoration of flushing system to restore salt pans

Mayaguana:

- Road repaving

Rum Cay:

- Repairs to Rum Cay Dock and bridge- Construction of new Rum Cay Clinic


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National Human Resource Development &

Expansion of the Social Security Network

!Introduced for the first time, an Unemployment Benefit under the NIBProgramme. This enabled more than 25,000 Bahamians to receive upto 13 weeks unemployment benefits.

! Safeguarded the jobs of more than 20,000 civil servants during theworse global economic crisis since The Great Depression

! Implemented a 6 month Temporary Employment Programme creating2,500 jobs

! Providing more than 3,000 jobs and training opportunities through the52-week Job Readiness and Training Programme

! Launched the National Job Skills and Training Initiative leading to the

engagement with a view for training in both the public and privatesectors of over three thousand Bahamians

! Hired more than 200 young Bahamians to serve as Customs Officersto strengthen our nations customs operations;

! Hired more than 400 police officers to strengthen our nations securityforces;

! Hired almost 100 Immigration Officers to strengthen our nationsimmigration patrol efforts;

Social Assistance

! Made ex-gratia payments during 2007-2008 to assist with medical bills for victims of shipping accident involving the Sea Hauler inAugust,2003

! Fulfilled incomplete commitment of predecessor government to payex-gratia severance to workers at former Royal Oasis Hotel in GrandBahamas

! Increased Social Assistance funding through the Department of SocialService by $12 million beginning in 2007 and continuing in 2008 to

accommodate increased demand particularly in response to degradinginternational economy impacting Bahamas, including in the areas offood and energy assistance

- Increased monthly food assistance- Increased emergency food assistance- National Lunch programme introduced for students of the

Centre for the Deaf and School for the Blind


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- Increased assistance with reconnection of electricity forthousands of Bahamian consumers in New Providenceand Grand Bahama beginning in 2008 allowingconsumers to enter into arrangements to pay off theirarrears over a set period of time

! Improved social security network by increasing social assistance benefits available for the most vulnerable segments of society children, the aged and the infirmed

- Expanded school uniform and shoe provisions forunderprivileged students

- Increased assistance for funeral expenses under theNational Insurance Programme

- Increased assistance available to victims of home fires

- Increased rental assistance for poor and low incomefamilies

- Accelerate programme of minor repairs on houses of thepoor

! Sign language introduced for nightly newscast on national televisionstation ZNS

! State-of-the-art van purchased to properly transport physicallychallenged citizens to and from therapy centres

! Expanded the number of Urban Renewal Centers in New Providenceand Grand Bahama,

! New musical instruments for expansion of youth bands.! Refurbished/Restored the burnt building at Willie Mae Pratt Center

including upgrade of the kitchen, dining room and cottages.

! New Family Life Center at Ardastra Estates.

! Increased Funding for Child Protection Council.

! Launched Volunteer Bahamas

! Raised awareness of gender inequality and promote women's equality.

! Established new Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines for Ports

! An increase (50cents)in the unit price paid to caterers for the National

Lunch Programme with effect from 1 December 2010;! Appointed a full time coordinator for the National Parenting

Programme and the programme was also introduced in several FamilyIslands;

! Acquired new stand by generators for Simpson Penn Centre andWillie Mae Pratt Centre


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! With the assistance of a grant from the UNFPA, drafted a genderpolicy for consideration by Government;

! Increased the budget for the Bureau of Women's Affairs.

Legislation:

! Enacted the Child Protection Act, 2007

! Enacted the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act, 2007

! Enacted the Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2008

! The Good Samaritan (Food Donation) Act, 2010

! Enacted anti-human trafficking legislation.

! Garnered consensus for completed Disability Legislation and tabledsame in the House of Assembly.

!

! Reduced Customs Duties as follows:- Customs duties reduced to zero from between 15%

and 35% on: noodles, infant car seats, and babywalkers; sewing machine needles, sewing thread,

bobbins for sewing machines, furniture bases andcovers for sewing machines ferti l izers,insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides;

- Customs duty reduced from 50% to 10% on juicesexceeding 13 ounces to align it with duty on juicesunder 13 ounces;

- Customs duty reduced from 35% to 15% on doorsand windows made of plastic and steel;

- Customs duty reduced from as high as 45% to 25%on dishwashers, dishwasher parts, parts formowers for parks and sports grounds, and forsanitary ware (bathroom fixtures) made of plastics

- Customs duty reduced from 20% duty and 7%stamp tax to 5% duty and 1% stamp tax on

pleasure vessels of less than 150 gross tons and

less than 30 feet in length.

! Eliminated import duties on a number of citrus fruits, as well asfrozen vegetables.

! Eliminated import duties on cereals, oatmeal, and Breads.

! Exempted personal computers, printers and software from the currentstamp tax, thereby making them completely duty-free.


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! Made duty free the import of energy-saving light bulbs, solar lamps,batteries, converters and wind engines.

! Reduced import duties on a number of building materials, therebylowering the cost of building a home or renovating an existing one,including plywood, oriented strand board, insulation, woodenhurricane shutters, aluminum and wood doors, wooden windows, andcement board.

! Reduced the import duties on energy-saving home appliances from35% to 15%.

! Reduced the import duty rates on energy-efficient windows, low-flowshower heads and low-flow toilets to 15%.

! Significantly reduced the import duty on hybrid vehicles, frombetween 45% and 65% to 25%.


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Modernizing Governance and Making and Keeping The

Bahamas Competitive Internationally

So as to bring Bahamian law and practice up to standards expected in

leading international business and banking centres around the wall, the FNMGovernment enacted laws to provide for the regulation and administration ofthe communications sector by an Independent Utilities Regulation andCompetition Authority (URCA).

URCA has responsibility for licensing and the overseeing of allElectronic Communications in The Bahamas which includes telephoneservices (Fixed & Mobile), Internet, Broadcasting including CableTelevision and the management of Radio Spectrum and Numbering.Relevant legislation governing URCA include the following

- The Communications Act, 2009

- The Utilities Regulation and CompetitionAuthority (URCA) Act, 2009

- The Utilities Appeal Tribunal (UAT) Act, 2009

- The Utilities Regulation and Competition(Amendment ) Act 2011

- The Communications (Amendment) Act 2011

Other modernizing reforms to improve governments services to the peopleput in place by the FNM Government include the following:

! Privatisation of the Government-owned telecommunicationsCompany (The Privatisation of The Bahamas TelecommunicationsCompany Act, 2011).

! Launch of the e-Government Portal bringing about improved access togovernment services via the internet.

! Amendment to laws and enactment of new laws meant to make andkeep The Bahamas an efficient, modern country include among manyothers:

- The Probate and Administration of Estates Act,2011

- The Coroners Act, 2011- The Local Government (Amendment) Act,2011


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- The Parliamentary Elections (amendment) Act2011

- The Passenger Tax (Amendment) Act, 2011- The Customs Management (Amendment) Act,

2011- The Stamp (Amendment) Act- The Financial Administrat ion and Audit

(Amendment) Act, 2011

Enhancing Economic Opportunity

! The FNM launched the landmark National Retraining Programmewhich has benefitted over four thousand Bahamians

! Temporary job creation programme -- created over 1,500 jobs for upto six months between January and end of June, 2010.

! Along with the private sector the FNM is implementing plans for theredevelopment of downtown Nassau, which has included theenactment of a landmark incentive legislation City of NassauRevitalization Act, 2008 the construction of a new Nassau StrawMarket, (2009-2011) and plans for a boardwalk along the Bay Streetforeshore

! Enactment of the Family Island Development Encouragement

Act, 2008 providing Customs Duty Concession and Excise Tax freeimport of all construction material to be used for the construction of anew building; or for the rehabilitation, remodeling or extension of anew or existing building; and duty free and Excise Tax free import ofany machinery used for the clearing of land for farming orconstruction carried out in any of the Family Islands specified. on all

building materials for the construction and or repair and expansion ofresidential or commercial buildings in:

- Sweetings Cay and Water Cay (Grand Bahama);- Grand Cay and Moores Island (Abaco);

- Current Island (Eleuthera);- Andros Island;- Cat Island;- San Salvador;- Rum Cay;- Long Island;- Crooked Island;


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- Long Cay;- Acklins;- Ragged Island and Cays;- Mayaguana; and- Inagua

! Amended the Hotels Encouragement Act (Amendment 2008) toextend concessions and incentives to tourism related businesses notnecessarily located within a Resort compound, e.g. restaurants, nightclubs, retail establishments and other businesses catering to the touristtrade.

! Enactment of a new Town Planning and Subdivisions Act,

! Exemption of first time home owners from payment of stamp tax

if home is valued at less than $500,000. More than 1000 individuals

have benefitted! Exempted the transfer of a mortgage of a dwelling place from one

financial institution to another from the payment of Stamp Tax;

! Exemption from stamp tax where the applicant seeks to consolidatedebts by mortgaging a dwelling home up to a value of $500,000.

! Brought Ross University Medical School to Grand Bahama

accommodating 200 international students

! Approved acquisition of South Riding Point Holdings oil storage

facility in Grand Bahama in an agreement which provides for

significant environmental cleanup and the upgrade of the facility

! Paved the way for the development of the un-gated, upscale, greenmixed-use community at Schooner Bay in South Abaco

! Budgeting of $4.1 million for each Member of Parliament to spend$100,000 towards projects in his or her constituency in two budgetcycles since 2007

! Instituted the Self-Starters programmeproviding millions infinancial assistance to young Bahamian entrepreneurs assisting themin starting their own businesses.

! Introduced the Jump Start Programme to provide individuals over

age 30 with access to funding for new business startups.! Enacted new Business Licence Act, 2010 revamping business licence

regime, making it simpler and more efficient for Bahamianentrepreneurs and businesses

! Reorganized and strengthened management at Customs Department toreduce and or minimize revenue leakage, providing Government withadditional resources


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Tourism & Aviation

! In record time helped to negotiate the process of the sale of the

Emerald Bay Hotel in Exuma to Sandals permitting its speedy

reopening thereby saving hundreds of jobs, creating additionalspin-off jobs and helping to stabilize Exumas economy

! Facilitated the redevelopment of Bahamars Mega Resort andpotential investors for the redevelopment of the Cable Beach area

! Supported the continued expansion and improvement to the countryshotel inventory through targeted concessions to resort developersaround the country and with good result at Atlantis, Albany and BahaMar on New Providence; Bakers Bay and Winding Bay in Abaco,Sandals in Emerald Bay, Exuma, at Fowl Cay in the Exuma Cays andin at Sandals Balmoral in New Providence

! Amended the Hotels Encouragement Act, (2008 and 2009) so as toextend concessions to restaurants, shops and places of interest cateringto the tourism trade but not necessarily resident within a hotel resort

! Enacted the City of Nassau Revitalization Act, 2008 to provideconcessions and incentives to property owners in the City to improveand upgrade their properties (residential or commercial)

! Negotiated so as to attract more than 380,000 new airline seatscoming to the islands over last year, the largest annual increase inairlift in history.

- Introduced through Copa Airlines regularly schedulednonstop service from Latin America for the first time inhistory. The Bahamas is now among the fastest growingdestinations in that airline's history.

- Provided more non-stops to more destinations in The

Bahamas than ever before with nonstops to some

destinations in The Bahamas from markets in the

United States and Canada that have never seen them

before

- Restored non-stop flights from Frankfurt Germany after

an absence of more than 20 years- Restored nonstop service to Grand Bahama from Toronto

after more than 30 years

! Through the introduction of an innovative airfare offer, enabled theBahamas to experience the lowest level of hotel room rate discounting


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and to maintain the highest average hotel rates of any of the largerdestinations in our region.

! Initiated the modernization of civil aviation in the Bahamas making provisions for upgrading of radar systems at Lynden PindlingInternational Airport (LPIA) and the Leonard Thompson InternationalAirport (Abaco) and for the facilitation of air access to and throughthe islands of the Bahamas in future.

! Major redevelopment of LPIA which will become the hub airport

for the redevelopment of air transportation throughout The

Bahamas. This is the largest public sector project in Bahamian

history

! Carried out the necessary upgrades to Marsh Harbour Airport toimprove safety, as well as capability to handle small to mid-sizecommercial jet operations.

! Negotiated an agreement with the cruise companies in 2010 thatguaranteed increases of 250,000 passengers per year for a three year

period. That target is being exceeded; e.g. Nassau exceeded 3,000,000cruise passengers for the first time ever in 2011.

! Updated the Cruise Ship Overnighting - (Amendment)Act, 2009

! Welcomed the largest cruise ship in the world, Oasis of the Seas,

on inaugural visit to Nassau on 11 Dec. 2009

! Extended concessions to facilitate the upgrade of privately held cruiseports in The Bahamas during 2009/2010

" Disney upgrading Cast Away Cay, Abaco at the cost of$30 million

" Norwegian Cruise Coco Cay at Great Stirrup Cay, TheBerries - $25 million

" Princess Cruise Lines Princess Cays, South Eleuthera -$3 million

! Attracted FIFA Conference and the Miss Universe Pageant (2009) becoming the smallest country in the world to host both theseprestigious international events

! Subsidized the Isle of Capri and Treasure Bay Casinos keeping them

open and saving 240 in Grand Bahama! Provided for further diversification within the tourism industry by

selecting a Bahamian-owned company to manage Bahamas.com forthe first time in history

! Revamped BahamaHost programme for the first time in 30 years tobring more focus to customer service which accounts in part for themuch improved level of visitor satisfaction today as compared to 2005


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! Introduced the Tourism Apprentice Programme in collaboration withthe private sector to select and train the next generation of tourismleaders, again with an increased focus on customer service

! Designed, built and opened a replacement Nassau Straw Market

for that destroyed by fire in 2001

! Enacted the Straw Market Authority Act, 2011 to provide for theMarkets management and regulation and to restore focus on sellingBahamian made products

! Opened up the western esplanade and downtown areas to moreBahamian artisans and vendors than ever before to enable them tooffer their products to visitors


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Financial Services

A FNM Government acted expeditiously to safeguard strength and

expand the Financial Services Sector of the economy

! Completed, in conjunction with the Bahamas Financial ServicesBoard, a new Strategic Framework for the Financial ServicesIndustrys future development

! Signed more than 24 new Tax Information Exchange Agreements(TIEAs) since returning to office in 2007. Negotiating additionalagreements which await final signature.

! Got The Bahamas off the G-20 OEDC Grey List

! Increased funding for The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BSFB)funding from $250,000 to $500,000 and provided government funding

of $20,000 to The Bahamas Association of Compliance officers forthe first time

! Launched the Service Improvement programme in the Public Service,piloted in a number of key services delivery agencies; thousands ofcustomer service booklets distributed to public officers to ensure thatthey are keenly aware of the basics of customer service.

! Launch of e-government portal

! Enacted Legislation to keep the Financial Services Sector competitiveand desirable internationally as follows:

- External Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2007- Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2007- The Purpose Trusts (Amendment) Act 2007- The Foundations (Amendment) Act, 2007; further

(Amendment) Act 2011- Banks and Trust Companies Regula tion

(Amendment) Act, 2008; further (Amendment)2010; further (Amendment) Act 2011

- The Central Bank of The Bahamas (Amendment)Act, 2008; further (Amendment), 2010; further

(Amendment) Act, 2011- Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment)

Act, 2008- The Financial Intelligence Unit (Amendment) Act,,

2008- The Securities Industry (Amendment) Act 2008;

(Amendment) 2009; (Amendment(2011


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- Amended the governing statutes of the GFSR in2007 to enable these domestic regulators to shareregulatory information with each other.

Foreign Affairs

! Delimitation of The Bahamas Maritime Boundaries with Cuba;

! Commenced delimitation of Maritime Boundaries with USA

! Ratified UN Convention Against Corruption and other InternationalConventions which strengthen our profile as a democratic responsiblemember of the international community

! Appointed a resident Ambassador to Peoples Republic of China

! Computerized the Passport Office

! Commenced the issuance of machine readable passports withimproved anti-fraud features

! Permitted enrollment for electronic passports at Consular Missionsoverseas

! Issued visitor visas with enhanced anti-fraud features

! Commenced issuance of work and other permits with enhanced anti-fraud features

! Concluded bilateral visa abolition agreements with selected countriesto facilitate visitor travel to The Bahamas and Bahamian travel

internationally! Eliminated the necessity for Bahamian and Permanent Residents to

fill out the immigration card upon their return to The Bahamas fromforeign travel


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Agriculture

! The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation is engaged in anunprecedented programme of projects across the country, including in

North Andros, Long Island, Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco where theyare providing farm land, tractors, refrigerated trailers, legal assistance,and computer and business services to develop Bahamian agriculture

! In Marsh Harbour a farmers market & community centre has beendeveloped

! Grand Bahama & Central Andros A Craft Village

! BAIC is also working with Simpson Penn and the Willamae Prattschools in the areas of woodwork and straw work

! Enacted the Animal Protection and Control (Amendment) Act, 2011

! Banned the harvest of turtles in The Bahamas

! Banned the commercial fishing of sharks in The Bahamas

Maritime Affairs

! Introduced an annual Bahamas International Maritime Conference &

Trade Show! Restructured Port Department

! The Bahamas Maritime Training Institute to train Bahamian Marinersconceptual blueprint produced

! Maritime Cadet Corps expanded providing more Bahamian youthwith a professional career path and economic opportunity

! Opened a new Maritime Office in Hong Kong and advancing plans foranother office to be commissioned in Athens, Greece

! Enacted the Maritime Marriages Act (not yet brought into effect) providing for marriages to be performed on Bahamian registered

vessels


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ADVANCING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

Crime, Law Enforcement & UniformedBranches of Government

In order to vigorously combat crime, safeguard our national security and

territorial integrity, while making critical investments in our judicial

system, the FNM has:

! Launch of Volunteer Bahamas designed to expand opportunities forBahamians to serve and extend the umbrella of services to otherBahamians.

! Promoted a new generation of leaders for the Royal Bahamas PoliceForce and amended,

! Enacted and brought into effect a new Police Force Act, 2009 inorder to more effectively combat crime

! Improved conditions of service for Police Force

! Investments in new equipment, technology and crime fighting toolsfor the Police Force

! Institution of electronic monitoring of accused and convicted

persons to assist the police in crime fighting, monitoring repeat

offenders and others accused of serious crimes and granted bail

! Reduced or eliminated customs duty on certain security systems and

tools! Amended existing and enacted new legislation to strengthen the arm

of the police and of the judiciary when dealing with the criminalelements of our society:

Bail (Amendment) Act, 2007Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act 2007Road traffic (Amendment) Act, 2007Juries (Amendment) Act, 2007Supreme Court (Amendment) Act, 2008Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2008Trafficking in Persons (Prevention and Suppression) Act,2008Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2008Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (Amendment)Act, 2008(Amendment) Act


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Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2008; and(Amendment) 2011Criminal Procedure (Pleas Discussion and PleaAgreement) Act, 2008Law Reform and Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments)Act, 2008Criminal Justice (International Co-operation)(Amendment) Act, 2009Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, 2011Evidence (Amendment) Act, 2011Bail (Amendment) Act, 2011Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2011Firearms (Amendment) Act, 2011Criminal Evidence (Witness Anonymity) Act, 2011

Court of Appeal (Amendment) Act, 2011Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Act,2011Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act, 2011Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2011

! Ongoing installation of CCTV monitoring in various areas of NewProvidence

! Implemented recommendations for strategic reorganization of thePolice Force and streamlined the senior command

! Acquired a new Cessna Caravan aircraft to quickly transport policeofficials throughout The Bahamas

! Promoted new leadership for The Royal Bahamas Defence Force

! The Defence Force fleet has been increased by 10 craft

! Two new aircraft have been added to the air wing of the Defence

Force

! Reorganized the senior command of the Immigration Department.

! Reorganized the senior command of the Customs Department


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The Courts

! Appointed additional Magistrates, Supreme Court Justices and Courtof Appeal Judges to providing essential human skills required to

facilitate speedier trials and reduce backload of cases! Advancing other measures in conjunction with the judicial system to provide the resources necessary for the timely administration ofjustice

! Appointed two full time Justices in Grand Bahama

! Appointed Resident Magistrates in Exuma and Eleuthera.

! Funding in place for the appointment of a resident magistrate inAndros

! Renovations to Supreme Court Building at Bank Lane and Bay Streetcompleted and operational Complete and open the new Magistrates

Court Building on South Street! Acquired and undertaking refurbishment of the former Ansbacher

Bank Building to become the Judicial Complex.- Two new courts on the ground floor of the Judicial

Complex have been renovated and are scheduled tobecome operational this month -January, 2012.

- Renovations to upper floors to establish seven new courtshave already started and will be completed by October/

November, 2012

! In coordination with non-governmental organization the FNM isactively reviewing the implementation of various alternativesentencing and restorative programmes to reduce recidivism by

juvenile non-violent offenders

! Remand Court at Fox Hill has been built, with video-conferencingfacilities, eliminating the need to bring remanded prisoners downtownevery day.


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Immigration

Brought transparency to the very complex matter of immigration

to ensure fairness to applicants, accommodation of business and

servicing the needs of the Bahamian people and our economy

! Ensuring the enforcement of immigration laws and regulationswithout fear or favour

! Reducing illegal immigrant numbers in the country, by regular androutine arrest, detention and repatriation

! Expanded surveillance through Defence Force base in Inagua and

the southwestern border through a new base in Ragged Island

! Reorganized and brought order to processes in the ImmigrationDepartment

! Improved revenue collection of immigration fees

! Recruitment of additional immigration officers

! Completed an Immigration Audit to expedite and inform thousands ofapplicants of the status of their applications before the ImmigrationBoard

! Implemented policy of timely, expeditious & transparent

regularization of the status of long-term residents and registration

of children born to Bahamian women married to foreigners

! Improved the processing of work permit applications in a more

professional and efficient manner! Instituted a 24-hour immigration hotline for information on activity

related to illegal immigration

Prison and Youth Rehabilitation Centres

! Continued support to enhance the security systems at the Prison

! Continued support for reform efforts at the Prison

! A new 40-unit living quarters for single officers is under construction

! Extensive renovations and upgrades at the Simpson Penn School forBoys & the Willamae Pratt School for girls, including surveillancecameras and other security measures as well as refurbished diningrooms

! Restore the dorm block at Willamae Pratt that was destroyed by fire in2003 and construct a new cosmetology lab


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! Technical assistance & educational programmes at both schools have been improved, including collaboration with BAIC, and thepreparation of 12 acres of land for produce and live-stock farming atSimpson Penn


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ADVANCING SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

& SOCIAL SECURITY

Education

In order to empower and enhance the quality of life of individuals and

communities through social development while providing for the social

security and well-being of Bahamians, including the more vulnerable, the

FNM has:

! Paid teachers the $800 lump sum payment provided for under the termsof The Bahamas Union of Teachers contract, a payment costing $3.2million

!Paid outstanding salary increases owed to teachers under their contract! Stopped hiring teachers at the bottom of the salary scale

! For the past four years the government-operated school system has

opened on time in contrast to delayed openings under the previous

Government

! Ministry of Education with the support of the Inter-American Bank isengaged in a thorough reform of educational systems through theSupport Programme designed:

- To improve and expand the quality and availability of safe and

effective public and private pre-schools and kindergartens;- To expand and improve the quality of technical & vocational

education in secondary schools; and- To reform & improve Bahamas Technical & VocationalInstitute upgraded training, tools, equipment & facilities.

! Lunch menu reformed to ensure that balanced meals are provided.

! After-school study halls and homework centres implemented in variousschools in New Providence and Grand Bahama

! Made spaces available in Government-operated schools to accommodateadditional students in the public school system as a result of effects ofthe global economic recession on The Bahamas

! Completed construction and opened the Anatol Rodgers Junior HighSchool and the T G Glover Primary School in New Providence;constructed and opened the new Sister Mary Patricia Russell Jr. HighSchool in Grand Bahama; completed and opened a replacement CabbageHill Primary School in Acklins


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! Established 20 shade houses at high schools throughout The Bahamas;

! Significant infrastructural upgrades at schools around the country,including: administrative and classroom blocks built at S. C. McPhersonJunior High School and at Abaco Central High School; new classroom

blocks have also been built at C. I. Gibson Senior High School, C. H.Reeves Junior High, Carmichael & Gavin Tynes Primary schools and anew technical block was constructed at the Doris Johnson Senior HighSchool ahead of its official opening during 2011.

! $1 million sent directly to Grand Bahama and Family Island localgovernments for schools.

! Increased scholarship funding to College of Bahamas by $1 millionfor students unable to meet tuition costs

! Increased funding for teacher training at COB:

!- Between 2007 and 2011 Government expended over $6.9

million in support of 1,143 teacher trainees at COB:

YEAR NO. OF RECIPIENTS EXPENDITURE

2007-200 242 $1,463,606.33

2008-200 247 $1,653,750.00

2009-201 243 $1,630,559.00

2010-2011 205 $1,439,291.00

2011 206 $750,098.52

TOTAL 1143 $6,937,304.85

* The number of teacher education Grants decreased in 2010 and 2011 in response to implementation ofnew policy restricting teacher training Study Grants to only those teacher pursuing training in areas whereinsufficient Bahamian trained teachers exist, i.e. in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, English Language, Art,Physical Education, Technology, Music and Special Education.

! Increased government educational scholarship funding for national

and international institutions from $400,000 to $8 million

! Merit, academic and technical scholarships increased from $400,000

to $2,000,000 and created the system of annual national scholarship

grants

! Progressed the initiative to evolve COB into the University of TheBahamas increasing funding to the institution by $3 million.Additionally:


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- Development of the HIV and AIDS WorkplacePolicy in collaboration with UNESCO;

- Piloted the GIPA Project (Greater Involvement ofPersons Living with and affected by HIV andAIDS), sponsored by UNESCO;

Health Care

! Engaged in advanced planning for the construction of a new generalhospital for capital city

! Introduced a Prescription Drug Programme for selected chronic

diseases and medical conditions! Decentralized the delivery of health care through community health

clinics helping to increase efficiencies by 25% including the greateruse of electronic medical records, providing real-time patientinformation

! In January 2011 introduced a pilot telemedicine programme forlaunched specialists tele-dermatology services at the Marsh HarbourClinicintroduced a pilot telemedicine programme so that patients inAbaco can be examined and assessed through the use ofcommunications technologies by doctors in New Providence, withouthaving to leave their family island

! Introduced a teleradiology programme allowing Cat scans performedin Grand Bahama to be viewed in New Providence and vice-versa

! Begun plans to introduce telemedicine to the Prison, reducing theneed for inmates to be transported to hospital for variousconsultations, specialist care and opinions

! The Public Hospitals Authoritys (PHA) Training Centre has enabledfor the first time in the history of public healthcare, Grand Roundsession on trauma care to be facilitated by Ryder Trauma Centre,

Jackson Memorial Hospital via PHA network bringing togetherSurgeons and Emergency Medicine Consultants from twelve (12)other countries including Trinidad and Tobago.

! Achieved full accreditation by the Royal College of Nursing (UK) forthe renal/nephrology programme for registered nurses


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Housing

The FNM Government promised in 2007 the construction of 600affordable homes to be accomplished by providing either fully serviced lots

or newly constructed houses. Since that time the FNM Government has:

! Launched a $75 million public housing programme to assistBahamians with home-ownership

! Increased first time homeowners stamp tax exemption to $500,000and approved more than 1,000 applicants.

! Exceeded that goal by constructing 470 houses and selling 237serviced lots

! An additional 180 houses are now under construction in New

Providence, Grand Bahama and in Abaco,! Constructed 84 dwellings in Ardastra Estate and its two Extensions

! Constructed 47 new houses in Dignity Gardens, 114 in Pride Estatesand its Additions and another 13 in Yellow Elder here in NewProvidence.

! Constructed 113 houses in Spring City, Abaco;

! In Grand Bahama 58 houses were constructed in Wellington PinderHeights, 21 in Sunset Subdivision Freeport, 12 in HeritageCommunity and 16 in Frobisher Circle.

! Broke ground on 7.97 acres at Mackey Yard (New Providence) tocreate a new 53 lot Housing Subdivision

! Commenced development of additional housing lots and approved,and continuing to approve, occupants and other qualified applicants inPride Estates III, Fire Trail Road, Sugarman Estate in Fox Hill andDignity II on Carmichael Road for housing units or plots of land.

! Over its three terms in office, the FNM has granted title to Crown andor Government-owned land to some 3,000 Bahamians who wouldhave occupied, developed, lived and worked on the land around thecountry, in some cases for generations, without benefit of title.

! Continuing regularization exercises for individuals and families whohave occupied property around the country in Grand Bahama,Andros, Eleuthera, Long Island, Acklins and New Providence etc.


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Youth Development

! Institution of SelfStarters programme which has provided over $2.5millions in financial assistance to almost 600 young budding

entrepreneurs assisting them in starting their own businesses! Increased Junior Achievements allotted budget from $100,000 in2006-2007 to $200,000 in 2010/2011 and introduced two new

programs under the JA banner to cater to younger students and posthigh school graduates.

! Introduced the GOLD initiative which as already engaged Thousandsof Young People in sound life affirming activities in cooperation withthe GGYA program

! Expanded the Leadership Certification program and empowered moreyouth leaders with the best practices in working with our young

people.! Improved Urban Renewal Programme through better coordination and

management

! Provide annual grants to and Increased stipends to 24 youth bands

! Dramatically increased summer youth programme budget to a milliondollars

! Created a Family Island desk in the Ministry of Youth and appointedcoordinators to assist with the implementation of programmesdesigned to meet the needs of youth leaders in those communities.

! Increased Budgetary allocations for scholarships and introducedscholarships for Student Athletes to attend the College of TheBahamas

! Provided $2 million for sports funding the highest in the history ofthe country

! Lou Adderley Park upgraded with basketball rims, refurbishedtoilets, mural painted wall, swings and sand pits

! New community park built in Seabreeze

! New playground facilities installed at Hope Gardens public park

! Basketball court & bathroom facilities built at Canterbury Park,

Gleniston Gardens (we have done dozens more such upgrades Isuggest we write a general statement about upgrades and the buildingof bathrooms)

! Enacted the Anti-Doping in Sports Act, 2009 and established afunctioning Commission bring the Bahamas in compliance with theWorld Anti Doping Code

! Enacted the National Sports Authority and New Sports Act, 2011


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! Instituted a new National Sports Policy

! Commissioned a Master Plan for the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre(QESC) to accommodate the New National Stadium

! Completed Phase one of the redevelopment of the QESC


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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

& CULTURAL HERITAGE

Natural Heritage

In order to build on our record of environmental protection, including a

doubling of the National Park system, the establishment of an

Environmental Impact Assessment process and the BEST Commission, as

well as other measures to protect our cultural heritage, since 2007 the

FNM has:

! Enacted the comprehensive Town Planning and Subdivisions Act ,2008 which will better fully integrate planning and development with

protection of the Bahamian environment

! Demonstrated global environmental leadership by joining forces withthe Nature Conservancy to launch the Caribbean Challenge, acommitment by Caribbean governments to support and manage newand existing national parks and protected areas throughout the regionand protect at least 20 percent of marine and coastal habitats by 2020.The Government has pledged $2 million towards the capitalization ofThe Bahamas Protected Area Trust Fund

! Completed and published report on Economic Valuation of TheNatural Resources of Andros

! Completed IWCAM Waste Water Treatment for Elizabeth Harbourand Andros Park

! Completed Boardwalk at Primeval Forest

! Increased the subvention to the Bahamas National Trust to $1million dollars annually and since 2008 has provided an additional$250,000 to increase the number of wardens to increase effectivemanagement of the national park system

! Amended the Bahamas National Trust Act, 2011 to strengthen thatNGO to more effectively manage the Bahamas national park system

! Furtherincreased the national park system under the managementof the Bahamas National Trust by expanding the Harrold and WilsonPark and enabling the development of Bone Fish Pond in NewProvidence, expanding the West Side National Park System in Androsto include a virtual treasure trove of biodiversity rich wetlands,expanding the Conception Island National; Park to include important


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marine areas and creating the new Fowl Cay Land and Sea NationalPark in the Abacos

! Created the Ministry of the Environment 2007 bringing togetherdepartments and agencies concerned with the environment under oneadministrative system, leading to better coordination of environmentalmanagement issues

! Revised Regulations to fully protect all sea turtles in The

Bahamas

! Enacted a new Forestry Act, 2010 which has strengthenedconservation and protection of forests and improved management andsustainable use of forestry reserves and stimulating new business andcareer opportunities for Bahamians

! Banned the harvesting of sharks in Bahamian waters in 2011

! Expanded the National Park System in Abaco, Andros, Little San

Salvador and New Providence! Expanded the Boardwalk on Bonefish Pond National Park and Harold

and Wilson Pond National Park

! Completed the Boardwalk on Lucayan National Park

! Together with BNT and Private Sector Donations, Completed thePlant Preserve in Eleuthera

Cultural Heritage

! Reduced the exorbitant cost of Junkanoo tickets instituted by thePLP, to below pre-2002 levels

! Introduce and/or Increased assistance to various national culturalinstitutions:Bahamas Concert OrchestraBahamas National Youth ChoirBahamas National Youth OrchestraBahamas National Childrens ChoirNational Dance Troop

Increase in Cultural Grants and Cultural Exchange funding by over

one million dollars thereby encouraging the growth of the CulturalIndustries

Introduced a National Christmas celebration program throughout theCountry

Upgrading the existing Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, with a view to itseventual evolution into a major cultural festival site and city park


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Completed Phase one and officially opened the Clifton HeritageNational Park

Provided the Clifton Heritage Authority with its first-ever recurrentannual budget and empowered them through public-private venturesto raise capital funds for the Parks ongoing development andsustainability as a premier heritage site

Restoration and beautification of parks, Monuments and historicalsites throughout The Bahamas

Extensive signage programme highlighting parks, vistas to the seaand other areas of historical and cultural interest

Incentivizing promoted and encouraged the restoration ofarchitecturally and historically valuable buildings in the City of

Nassau through the enactment of the City of Nassau RevitalizationAct, 2008

Comprehensive restoration and improvements done to Fort Charlotteand ft Fincastle sites.

Enacted the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums (Amendment) Act,2011 to reintroduce the wreckage recovery industry in the Bahamas

Restoration, repair and reconstruction of important public buildings inthe City of Nassau notably the Houses of Parliament, the SupremeCourt, the new Justice Centre and the new Straw Market

January, 2012

fnm's progress in government

Documents