Good Morning, members of the press:
Thank you for joining us here today.
As you know, this week we mark three years in office.
Not every day has been easy, but every day has been a privilege.
And it is with great joy that I share my confidence in our country, our people, and our future.
We are finally gaining momentum, making headway on our most difficult challenges.
We began our term, as you know, at a very dark time – with the economy in tatters, our nation’s finances in freefall, and our hospitals, schools, and communities all in serious crisis.
All of these challenges were compounded by the global inflation crisis that followed the pandemic and then worsened due to conflicts abroad.
The right choices matter, though – and ours turned things around. We ended the policies that had caused so much harm and replaced them with policies which offered relief. We pulled the country back from the fiscal brink — and revitalized tourism, creating new jobs, partnerships, and investments. We strengthened our presence on the global stage, standing up for fair climate finance, promoting our country and our people, and strengthening partnerships to protect our borders.
In just three years, we’ve signed dozens of labour agreements, raised the minimum wage, launched a nationwide learning assessment, expanded health services, and brought innovative programs to communities across our islands. We’ve launched the country’s first National Youth Guard initiative, expanded Urban Renewal’s outreach, invested in our athletes, and fed our school-children more than 150,000 hot breakfasts. We’ve knocked a billion dollars off our deficit – even while making game-changing investments in energy reform, airports and infrastructure in the Family Islands, agricultural programmes, and new hospitals – all with one goal: building a future where every Bahamian can thrive.
It’s important to celebrate how far we’ve come – because so many Bahamians worked so hard for the progress we’ve made together – while never losing sight of the hard work still ahead.
There is much still to do – to realize our vision of a country where more Bahamians play a central role in our economy, and every family has the safety and opportunities they deserve.
We’re working to meet immediate needs – and we’re investing in a future filled with new possibilities.
There are no shortcuts.
Real change takes relentless focus – and partnership with the Bahamian people.
We’ve come such a long way – but we are looking forward, because so much important work lies ahead.
I give thanks – to God and to the Bahamian people – for the enormous privilege it is to do that work together.
And now I’m pleased to take your questions.