A pleasant good day to everyone who has joined us here in Abaco for this special occasion.
One of the greatest honours of being Prime Minister is the ability to uplift Bahamians and empower them to achieve their dreams.
Today, we are doing just that as we celebrate new, proud homeowners in Spring City and Central Pines.
Altogether we have six houses in Spring City and six houses in Central Pines – a total of twelve doors that have opened wide for fresh beginnings.
And this is just the beginning. We have more homes slated to be completed in the coming months.
The handing over of these homes represents important progress for the people of Abaco as we continue to build back better than before, years after the tragedy of Dorian.
Moments like these remind me why I took this journey into public service: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people I serve.
We are building a Bahamas where diligence and perseverance are rewarded, a Bahamas where, if you make the right choices and work hard, homeownership and upward mobility are within reach.
And it shouldn’t matter which island you are born on, how much money your parents have, or what your last name is.
This is personal for me. My mother was a maid, my father a fireman and later a taxi driver.
They taught me what it means to work hard, stay resilient, and believe that every Bahamian — regardless of background, education, or income — deserves a fair shot at success.
That is the Bahamas my administration fights for every day.
To our new homeowners—whether you protect our communities as police officers or stand ready as firefighters, whether you nurse us to health or lift our spirits as beauticians, whether you keep our daily routines seamless as housekeepers or taxi drivers, or power our economy as network administrators, computer analysts, casino workers, office administrators, and executive assistants — we are here to celebrate you.
You represent the steadfast determination and unwavering spirit of the Bahamian people.
I hope that the keys you’ve received will unlock more than your front doors. I pray they will unlock a real home – a safe space – for you and your loved ones to grow, form lasting memories, and build generational wealth.
Homeownership remains a top priority for this administration.
Given the lack of new homes built throughout this nation prior to our term in office, and given the many homes destroyed by Dorian here in the northern Bahamas, our plans must be expanded to fulfill the demand for more accessible homeownership opportunities.
Affordable homeownership is at the heart of our agenda for a fairer, more prosperous Bahamas.
Our efforts go beyond merely building homes.
We want to make homeownership as accessible as possible, and we are taking this issue on from multiple angles.
That’s why we introduced the First Home Owners Stamp Exemption — waiving VAT on conveyances and mortgage instruments for first-time buyers.
That’s why we raised the exemption threshold for Real Property Taxes on homes up to three hundred thousand dollars.
That’s why we offer VAT refunds on construction materials and services.
It’s why we launched a rent-to-own initiative, which is expanding the possibility of homeownership for those who have the means but need a little extra help with affording the often cost-prohibitive down payments.
We are also smoothing the process for land transfers among family members by reducing VAT on property transfers and removing it entirely for joint tenants and tenants-in-common.
Meanwhile, we applaud the Central Bank of The Bahamas for easing guidelines on residential mortgages—lowering minimum equity requirements and scrapping mortgage indemnity insurance for smaller down payments.
These changes help more Bahamians clear the hurdles to owning a home.
This is how aspirations turn into reality – through direct investments into our shared vision of a nation where everyone can own a piece of this beautiful archipelago.
For many years, affordable housing was in short supply. Yet we believe so strongly that homeownership fuels both personal and national growth that we put programs in place to help every Bahamian rise.
We have multiple communities being built throughout our archipelago as we speak.
And today’s key presentation ceremony is yet another testament to our belief in Bahamian ownership made into action.
To the new homeowners of Abaco: Congratulations!
May your walls echo with laughter, and may these homes become sanctuaries of cherished memories.
Friends, together, we are building a stronger Bahamas — one home at a time.
Thank you.