The Free National Movement (FNM) held rallies in Freeport, Grand Bahama and Exuma on Saturday.
FNM Leader, Michael Pintard attended both events. While in Freeport he spoke of plans to address the issues with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA). He said, “we believe that here in Grand Bahama, in 2026, that we have enough brilliant Bahamians from all walks of life that we no longer need to have the regulatory arm of government in Grand Bahama, the GBPA, to only be presided over by two families. We don’t need to hate the families and disrespect them to have this view, but that’s our view. People from all over should have a right to govern their own affairs in Freeport.”
Pintard went further stating, “we will change the arrangement that exist with the Grand Bahama Port Authority. We don’t need to do it the way the government did and failed, and failed. We believe that the private companies that hold monopolies who are being regulated by people who are in charge of the regulation that should not exist. The companies being regulated should not be regulated by the people who have the authority in the municipal government.”
The FNM Leader also pushed for Bahamian ownership on the island. He said, “we believe that more Bahamians should not only own land in west and east Grand Bahama but we believe that shares should be offered in DevCo so that more ordinary Bahamians, Grand Bahamians can also buy property. That the utility company, we encourage the owners to look at an IPO to make sure more of us can buy shares in these companies. There is a why we can do business that empower more of us rather than seek to disrupt a fragile economy in Grand Bahama.”
The Davis administration and the GBPA are involved in an ongoing arbitration case after the government claimed the GBPA owed approximately $357 million for services provided by the government in Freeport. The GBPA also brought eights claims against the government, seven of which were dismissed. The government’s claim was also dismissed
Pintard also told party supporters that the five candidates for Grand Bahama, including himself are ready to serve.
