Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Free National Movement, the Hon. Michael Pintard led a press event on Wednesday afternoon where commented on the Party’s stance on the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).  Pintard was dubbed a water boy for the GBPA by Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis after he voiced his opposition to the government’s actions against the entity.

Pintard shared his view that GBPA owners should divest themselves from the organization.  He said, “Bahamians, Grand Bahamians, in particular,  should be given an opportunity to invest, to create, to reimagine a new regulatory regime in Freeport.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party, the Hon. Fred Mitchell has been vocal about government’s issues with the GBPA  for some time.  The latest of which is a proposed rate increase by the Grand Bahama Power Company.

In light of Pintard’s comments Mitchell questioned his stance on the issues.  He said, “money and all that aside.  Do you stand up for the people of Grand Bahama and your constituency or are you a water boy for the Grand Bahama Port Authority?”

Pintard also called claims that his party received $5 million from the GBPA “an absolute lie.”  He said, “I want to know how much they got.  And we could name investor after investor, local and international.  Unlike them we believe in campaign finance reform.”

Mitchell publicly questioned Pintard saying, “Leader of the Opposition whose side are you on, the people of The Bahamas and your constituents in Marco City or the Grand Bahama Port Authority?”

The government is currently engaged in a dispute with the GBPA after sending a letter earlier this year demanding reimbursement of over $300 million.