Earlier this month the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) announced that it had sent a request to the Grand Bahama Port Authority seeking a 6.3% rate increase.   A rally was held in Freeport on Monday evening protesting the move.

Sen. Hon. James Turner, who was also apart of a protest march held on August 12th,  spoke at the rally.  He said, “these are the same persons that put burden on us less than a year ago when they requested an increase.  How many of y’all got a salary increase twice in one year?  So how are you going to pay an increase in power bills?”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party, the Hon. Fred Mitchell also attended the event.  He was accompanied by Sen. Hon. Kirk Russell and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, the Hon. Kingsley Smith.

Mitchell spoke with ZNS News on the sidelines saying, “we know what our position is. Our position is no to the rate increase, the Grand Bahama Port Authority does not have the jurisdiction to adjudicate the rate increase but you need the support of people as that is advanced.  And so we’re happy the demonstration went well the last time.  All these gentlemen are here with me, the Minister for Grand Bahama is in Nassau at the moment preparing for the Cabinet but we support this.”

For his part MP Kingsley Smith said, “I’m advised the new system they use is a digital one.  You don’t have to go out and read meters anymore.  However, they are still estimating the monthly bills.  I too was personally affected by it.  And so I raised that issue with the powers that be but again I not only spoke on my behalf but I spoke on behalf of all Grand Bahamians.

Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, the Hon. Iram Lewis commended people for showing up.  He said, “I’m so very proud of you for staying at home, not sitting around mumbling but for coming out here and making your presence felt.”

While addressing the crowd Event Organizer, Richard Johnson emphasized that the event was not politically motivated.  He said, “I don’t care what y’all say to me this is not politics but the Progressive Liberal Party leadership under Brave Davis must be commended for the stance it took with the Grand Bahama Port Authority. There’s no question about it this is the first government that took on the Port Authority the way that they’re supposed to.”

The event was themed Bend Or Break giving homage to a speech the late Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden Pinding made in Grand Bahama in 1969.