I think I will take it upon myself to call the Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis and ask him to apologize to the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister because apparently Dr. Minnis hurt the feelings of the prime minister and he is at the point of picking up his marbles and crying his way home.

“PM say Minnis’ criticisms idiotic – Christie disappointed in opposition leader” – The Nassau Guardian.

Excerpt from this article; “Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday criticisms made by Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis about the government’s response to Hurricane Mathew were idiotic.

While touring Lowe Sound, Andros, with Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Christie hit back at Minnis, who claimed the government dropped the ball on dealing with the storm.

I am absolutely amazed at that,” said Christie when asked about Minnis’ comments.

“……It is an idiotic thing for him to say because the context of him coming with us in the way I went with (former Prime Minister) Hubert Ingraham during hurricanes, was to put this above partisan politics for us to acknowledge that if he had a recommendation to make we were open to hear it and to determine whether or not it is something we would implement.”

So far I fail to see the politics but then I have been accused of being blind, so suffer it to be so, but then maybe we can take a look at what Dr. Minnis actually said and see how it made it political; let’s deal with it in its ‘context’.

Excerpt from same article; “I was not impressed,” Minnis said.

‘I thought the government dropped the ball in dealing with the storm.’

‘The precautionary methods were not taken.’

‘The government knew the storm was coming.’

‘How can you afterwards be asking for trucks and volunteers, etc?’

“All of that should have been done in advance.’

‘You know the storm was coming, you knew the potential damage, you knew what was going to happen to the South, and therefore they should have had already, trucks, chainsaws, garbage bins, dumpsters all lined up to deal with [the aftermath] appropriately.” 

All of what Dr. Minnis suggests seems reasonable and logical to me except for the simple fact that he just may have shown that the persons responsible for the readiness for the aftermath of Hurricane Mathew were ill-prepared, incompetent, inept and maybe even lazy but why is it political to criticize a government for being ill-prepared for something that they know will happen?  Is it that if you do not agree with the prime minister, then you had better keep it to yourself?

Mr. Christie wants to know what is it that Dr Minnis has to offer to the entire discourse; well it is basically the same criticism that almost each and every Bahamian has of Prime Minister Perry Christie, which is he [the prime minister] is not proactive and reactive and by the time he reacts it is already to late.  We have seen too many situations get totally out of control while the Prime Minister seems to gazes into the abyss of his mind, seemingly in hopes that all will just go away but the problem is that real life does not work this way.

So, now since the prime minister’s feeling’s have been hurt by it being suggested that he is yet ‘late again’; something that he really should be accustomed to by this point in his political career and his life in general, he reacts to these suggestions by lashing out and labeling others persons statements as ‘idiotic’ and expressing his ‘disappointment’ in these people; while the majority of the country expresses grave and utter disappointment in him as a prime minister.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

Fresh on the heels of explaining why Junkanoo-Carnival again exceeded its budget, having the festivals commissioner then go on to explain that the whole Junkanoo-Carnival exercise is not an exercise in profitability, only after the government had already ‘invested’ over $21million over the past two years in the exercise; the government will now have to explain to the people of the Bahamas why is it that they turned over control of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), formerly [The] Bahamas Electrical Cooperation (BEC) from a Bahamian management group to a foreign one that seems to have little to no experience in hurricane [disaster] preparedness, as we still await their business plan on how they intend to move the cooperation forward, they by improving it.

“Power Failure: BPL blasted for worst hurricane recovery ever” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard yesterday blasted the ‘coordinators’ at Bahamas Power and Light for being ‘ineffective’ and organizing the ‘worst hurricane recovery effort’ he has ever seen.

In an interview with the Tribune, Mr. Maynard said if certain BPL officials had ‘listened to advice from the union’ more areas of New Providence would have been restored and BPL’s restoration timeline would be significantly shorter.

In a statement on Monday, BPL said it could not give an exact time for full restoration, but the company expects most customers to be back on supply by the end of the week.  However, Mr. Maynard said ‘two to three weeks’ is more realistic.”

We all have, well most of us, experienced the aftermath of a hurricane, and wherein there is a certain amount of time taken to restore essential services, such as electricity, there is an expectation that over time with the advancement in technology for services to improve but in this case there seems to have been no improvement on the system left in place by the former executives of BPL (formerly BEC) but rather more of a regression of sorts, as the lines at the local ice suppliers began to look like the lines that the government would hope and pray for at Junkanoo-Carnival; all of this time as the food in our refrigerators decayed.

The question is why did it take so long – actually why is it taking so long?  The power went out I my area at 9.30 pm on Wednesday 5^th October and was restored at 11.30 pm 11^th October, a mere 24 hours later than I had predicted that it would be restored but still there are there are some people in my neighborhood without power, some on the same street as myself.  I actually cannot go into the office today because the power in that area has not been fully restored; when BPL was fully BEC and managed by Bahamians, this was unheard of and the question again rises of what is the plan of this new company that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has engaged to ‘manage BEC now BPL?  Did they ever have a plan for events such as these?

“Miller: New Providence repairs being done with skeleton crew” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday criticized Bahamas Power and Light Ltd saying the electricity provider has failed to properly coordinate efforts in a timely manner to restore the supply to residents in New Providence, pointing to the use of a ‘skeleton crew’ to the wide range of needed repairs to the capital.

Mr. Miller said BPL should have been able to re-connect customers in about two to three days after Hurricanes Mathew’s passing.  However some residents in New Providence have been left without power for a week, beginning when Mathew first touched down on the island last Wednesday.

He attributed the lengthy and ‘unacceptable’ time period to BPL’s decision to veer from the model to remedy issues caused by hurricanes, which was adopted by the Bahamas Electricity Cooperation (BEC) before it tr5ansitioned to BPL.

This, the actions of BPL, I see as not being in the best interest of the Bahamas and the Bahamian people and it is obvious why what we are seeing now that BPL’s ‘plan’ simply does not work, as it is totally ineffective.

I wonder if the Prime Minister will speak up about this issue, instead of the under the breath grumbling that he has done to date.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END

“Bahamas total debt over 90% of GDP” – the Tribune, Business

Excerpt from this article; “The Bahamas was yesterday said to be ‘in a very, very dark position’ after the Central Bank revealed that total public sector debt was a mammoth $7.604 billion, a sum equivalent to more than 90 per cent of national economic output (GDP).”

I thought it best to open with where the country is economically while the questions are still being asked as to what is the true objective of Junkanoo-Carnival?

What economic model does it follow and is it economically feasible; spending these large amounts of monies at this particular time to push an ‘economic stimulus’ whose objective is not clear.

“Carnival organizer seek to clarify profitability comments” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “The Bahamas National Festival Commission has clarified controversial statements made by its chairman, Paul Major, who on Tuesday told reporters that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was never deigned to be a ‘profit exercise’, stressing that it is focused on reducing government investment and increasing revenue.

A statement yesterday released by the BNFC yesterday said the commission’s mandate ‘has always been to significantly and positively impact, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).”

My first question would be is Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival a profit exercise to reduce government investment and increasing revenue in what exactly?  To reduce it straight around the board or to reduce it in Junkanoo Carnival? Because, whatever the design, it seems to have been flawed as Junkanoo Carnival has failed in both these regards.

Indeed, if these had been the commission mandates, then they have failed despite the commission’s insistence of carnival being a success, as the question then becomes as success at what?

“The event was budgeted at $7 million, but the commission spent $9.8 million on carnival.”

Of that figure, the government provided $8.1 million for the event. [83%]

Last year’s inaugural carnival was budgeted at $9million, but cost $12.8 million.  Yesterday the commission insisted that its shortfall in profitability does not take away from the events impact on the economy and the small to medium sized businesses.

‘On every single meaningful economic measure the event has achieved success or is moving in the right direction, and achieving incremental growth,” the commissions said.

‘The investment that the commission makes is to stimulate consumer activity (local and tourist related) and entrepreneurship.”

The more this man talks about the true intent of Junkanoo Carnival, as he keeps ‘jumping the line’ in this regard from side to side; he does not realize he only highlights just how poorly he and the commission has done and how badly they have failed at their objectives.

“The commission said this year’s carnival generated an estimated $6.3 million in tax revenue, while the GDP impact was an estimated $70 million.

It remains to be seen whether the independent audit will validate these figures.”

The commission has failed to define the objective of Junkanoo-Carnival and have also failed to prove, in any substantive way, that it is has succeeded in achieving ‘on every single meaningful economic measure’; as the short term impact has not been substantive and the long term impact is non-existent.  So the commission has to explain just how they have concluded that Junkanoo-Carnival has been a success.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

It is simply hilarious when Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, attempts to get petty and throw shade at others but only ends up exposing his very own short comings.

“Christie ‘not going to be forced into decision by a gynecologist” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday there is ‘no way’ he is going to let an ‘obstetrician/gynecologist politician’ force him make a decision that is ‘not in the best interest of the people’.

Mr. Christie was referring to Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis who told reporters on Sunday that now is not the time for the government to begin renovations on the Maternity Ward.  Dr. Minnis said the planned upgrades could create problems given the number of births that occur around this time of the year.

Speaking at a contract signing ceremony for the renovations to the Maternity and Male Surgical Wards, Mr. Christie said the Maternity Ward has not been renovated for over 50 years and women should not be forced to give birth in ’undesirable’ circumstances’ because previous governments did not have the will or finances to upgrade the facility.

He urged doctors at the contract signing to tell Dr. Minnis it’s time to get on board with the improvements.

“No way would I let an obstetrician/gynecologist politician use me to make this political.” Mr. Christie said.”

If I were to recall correctly, some of the very same doctors whom the prime minister called on to urge Dr. Minnis to ‘get on board’, are some of the same doctors that have expressed the very same sentiment as Dr. Minnis; that now it not the right time and it is not about ‘getting on board’ but then there is a general election looming so the prime minister seems to have made this situation political merely by the timing of it all.

The question is, is it only now that the prime minister and his government has found the finances and the commitment to improve the conditions at the Maternity Ward, even after he served as Minister of Health and saw the direction that the ward was taking?  Have these conditions suddenly become ‘undesirable’?

It is very disrespectful the manner in which the prime minister address’s the leader of the Opposition in this matter; “No way would I let an obstetrician/gynecologist politician use me to make this political.”  While the prime minister is attempting to disparage Dr. Minnis as a politician because of his chosen career; we should reflect on the manner of how the country has been brought to its current condition by barrister politicians.

An interesting note; Dr. Bernard Nottage; Minister of National Security, should feel offended by this remark by the prime minister because it also denigrates  him and he should ask himself is the prime minster suggesting that he has no respect or regard for his work as Minister of National Security just because of his chosen profession.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

Allow me if you may to begin my commentary for the day with the opening lyrics to Drakes song “Back to Back”;

“Oh man

Oh man, oh man

Not again…”

“Carnival ‘was never meant to be profitable.” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was never designed to work as a ‘profit exercise’; according to Bahamas Festival Commission Chairman Paul Major.

Responding to questions yesterday at a press conference in which the BNFC  revealed its economic impact assessment of the event’s second year,  Mr. Major condemned opponents of the festival who continue to look at the country’s annual investment, instead of the carnival’s’ economic impact’.

He said the festival has never been and will never be about turning a profit on investment, contending that no variation of the event around the world was generated a profit for the host nation.”

I must admit that I am confused because there seem to be some disappointment over the results of the first Junkanoo-Carnival and if the festival is not meant to turn a profit, then what is the purpose?

“Carnival reveals ‘significant revenue shortfall’   – The Tribune, July, 29 015

Excerpt from this article; “The Christie Administration failed to secure to return on its $11m investment in May’s highly touted Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, according to the official statistics of the event released by the Bahamas National Festival Commission yesterday.

For its over-budgeted investment in the festivities, the government reaped $8.3m in combined direct and tax revenue, with the latter providing $6.7m of that sum.

The direct revenue, which totaled $1.6m, largely came from ticket sales and cash sponsorships. According to BFNC chairman Paul Major.

Mr. Major confirmed that efforts were still being made to secure payments from some vendors who reportedly lost money during the event – a sum estimated to cost the government about $40,000.

Nevertheless, the commission concluded that the total direct economic activity of the events was about $19m, including in Grand Bahama.

The total included the government’s local expenditure for the event.

The commission said that tourist-related activity, including hotels sales, stopover tourist expenditure and cruise ship expenditure, generated about $4.6, $2.8m of that generated in Grand Bahama – more than the $1.7 made was in New Providence.

The festival attracted about 115,000 spectators or participants, employed 7,208 people and benefitted 880 small and medium enterprises, the long-awaited report concludes.

Some 30,000 spectators attended Grand Bahama’s event, and 85,000 spectators and participants attended the New Providence events.  It was estimated that about 900 tourist attended he events.

The total expenditure for the event was $12,947.650, more than the governments budgeted $9m.  Of this total, the government spent about $11.3m, with the rest covered by sponsorships.”

It would appear that Junkanoo-Carnival was originally intended to boost the tourism product ; revitalize it and also turn a profit for not only the average citizen but also for the government, there is no other reason for this type of expenditure in time such as these, it is illogical.

It now seems that it is intended to be an economic stimulus, aided HEAVILY by the government i.e. taxpayers to provide the opportunity for the average citizen to make a profit, and it seems to even have failed at its new objective.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

“Baha Mar buyer ‘has met’ govt. requirements” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “ While he remained tightlipped over key details concerning the shuttered Baha Mar resort – among them the identity  of the potential buyer – Prime Minster Perry Christie yesterday revealed that the ‘huge enterprise’ has met the government’s requirements for a world class developer.

Mr. Christie said the principles of the would-be purchaser met with the government and shared plans to expand on the existing project, but are still in negotiations with the projects financier Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM).  It is also still to be announced, according to Mr. Christie, whether the future developer will operate the entire resort or whether it will be managed by separate brands as was the original plan with Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood.

When asked by ZNS yesterday when contractors would begin construction on the property, Mr. Christie said: ‘Now.”

Remarking on the tiresome effort of himself, and his team, in the face of naysayers and critics, he said: ‘For me, all of the correspondence, all of the efforts, all of the obstacles, are now behind us and we are looking forward now to this coming to life and Bahamians driving past and watching will see it come to life in a very meaningful way.”

First, I would like to say that as Prime Minister Christie proclaim “Baha Mar buyer ‘has met government requirements”, I would like to know what are these requirements because at one time Sarkis Izmirlian also met this government’s requirements but then that changed; it change so much that the Prime Minister’s colleagues openly questioned the mental health of Mr. Izmirlian but then I digress.

While Prime Minister Perry Christie struts about the Baha Mar property as proud as a peacock and looks upon the “great works” that he and his government has done; I would like to humbly suggest that he and his government has only now corrected a disaster of their very own making.  Chaos, disorder and unnecessary hardships brought about those their very own incompetence, ineptitude, laziness and greed.  It is shameless the manner in which he and his government now feels ‘proud’ for bringing this development to a standstill for over a year, now wanting to be thanked and praised for ‘rescuing’ it and the Bahamian workers from certain ruin.  Now having paid many of the workers the monies owed to them when they caused construction at the resort to come to a stop; the prime minister and his government actually want now to be thanked and praised for putting these workers livelihoods at rick and subjecting them to uncalled for and unmentionable hardships; is he serious?

Speaking of paying having paid the former Baha Mar employees, there is still the question of the details surrounding this ‘cash gift’ from the Chinese; what are the terms of this agreement?

Sorry, Mr. Prime Minister, there are far too many unanswered ‘details’ for most of the people of the country to be elated as yourself.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

“Roberts accuses FNM of abusing Nolle orders” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts has accused the Free National Movement of abusing the issuance of stop prosecution orders while in office, as he again defended Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson’s actions over ending prosecution against the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and two of its executives.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Roberts said an attorney general in a previous FNM administration – Sir Orville Turnquest – issued a nolle prosequi to stop prosecution against John Mosko, who was charged with a fatal shooting.

He also said former FNM Attorney General John Delaney issued a nolle prosequi ending the private prosecution of billionaire Louis Bacon by his Lyford Cay neighbor Peter Nygard.”

First, I would like to ask the question; is Mr. Roberts conceding wrong doing on the part of his colleague?

In a talk that I had with Mr. Bradley Roberts before the 2012 general elections; I brought up something that the Progressive Liberal Party had done as he attempted to criticizes something that the Free National Movement was doing at the time, I really cannot remember what it was.  He [Mr. Roberts] told me that just because your father may have beaten you silly is not excuse for you to beat your child silly; I took the analogy to mean that just because someone did something wrong before you it did not justify you doing wrong yourself.  You should know better because if the other persons wrong doing; it is in light if this comment that I find the present commentary by Mr. Roberts in defense of Ms. Maynard-Gibson on this matter highly hypocritical and duplicitous.

The main issue, I feel, being the Mosko matter, which is a case that enraged many Bahamians, be they PLP or FNM but Mr. Roberts will refuse the outrage that followed this decision by attorney general Turnquest and the fallout from it; Mr. Roberts would have you believe that all was well and many FNM’s defended it as he is doing here, this was not the case, this is a deceitful act on Mr. Roberts part.

The sentiments being expressed by Mr. Roberts cab only come from a regressive mind that has given up on any type of progressive and productive thought; so yes maybe it is time that Mr. Roberts to retire from active politics because to even have him ‘mentor’ a future generation of leaders would, in my opinion, be a danger to the successful progression of the country as we attempt to build a #STRONGERBAHAMAS.

It is clear that Mr. Roberts and those with this mentality are not interested in the progress of the country, as they are prepared to knowingly repeat the transgressions of those before them and then use these past wrongdoings by others as an excuse to justify they themselves repeating them.

There must come a time when we reach a point wherein we are prepared to allow the proper processes/procedures to run their course and then allow the ships to fall where they may; no matter the consequence or who may be involved.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

“Roberts won’t serve another full term as Chairman” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “The PLP constitution requires that a convention be held every year, opening all positions of the party.

The last PLP convention was in 2009

Roberts has been chairman since then.

A convention planned for November 2015 was postponed in the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin, and scheduled for April 2016.

The party announced another postponement earlier this year and set a new date in November.”

Asked whether the party was stifling democracy by not holding conventions where leadership and other positions could be challenged on a fair and regular basis, Roberts said, ‘No”.

‘The constitution of the party also gives the governing body, the National General Council, the right to bury the conventions of the party,” he said.

‘And the delays in conventions of the party have been approved by the National General Council of the party.  So it is fully in compliance with the constitution of the party.”

Whereas the party conventions are where leadership and other party positions as challenged, it also a forum where bye-laws can also be challenged and/or amended; such as the right for the National General Council to be able to ‘bury the convention of the party’.  This practice; the voice of the few stifling the voice of the many is highly undemocratic; unless there is an absolute reason to do so, the hurricane being one.

It is unconstitutional and highly undemocratic, no matter what Mr. Roberts may say and reminds me of the burying of the people’s voices after the Gaming ‘referendum’.

Any political organization that stifles true democracy within its own walls cannot truly be trusted to govern the country in a democratic fashion; the PLP has proven this time and time again as this seems to be a party where democracy is use at the discretion of the party if at all, but for the most party left to die.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END

“AG: I won’t be swayed by political objectives” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “After some of her fellow Cabinet ministers said they were disappointed in her stopping a private prosecution against Sandal’s Royal Bahamian top managers, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson shot back  late Thursday night, claiming she won’t be swayed by ‘political objectives’.

Minister of Labor Shane Gibson, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe each said they were left in the dark about the nolle prosequi the AG signed on August 15.

They said they were disappointed the AG didn’t inform them about the nolle.

‘The attorney general in the execution of her constitutional duty is never swayed by the political objectives of her colleagues or anyone else,’ Maynard-Gibson said.”

Of course, the idea that given her past performance as Attorney General, that Ms. Maynard-Gibson can expect anyone to believe that ‘in the execution of her constitutional duty [she] is never swayed by the political objectives of her colleagues or anyone else is laughable and best and enough to make one’s skin crawl, as I sit her right now I have vague recollections of an unsolicited and unsigned ‘legal opinion’ that derailed an investigation into the misappropriate use of power by one of her colleagues but it does tend to show that the Attorney General is not swayed by the best interest of the people.

A question has a risen from this whole incident, and it is whether or not her decision in this matter was ‘swayed’ by any personal interest in the Sandal property?

This very same question was asked as it pertained to her actions in the Baha Mar situation that saw the construction of that come to a complete stop, having it ‘mothballed’ for over a year.

Of course, these are just questions at this time but as with all things of this nature, the truth is always brought to light.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

There are those in life that know and then there are those that just don’t; it all is a part of life.

“Gibson disappointed in AG’s action – Minister feels disrespected that he found out about nolle from union” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Minister of Labor Shane Gibson said yesterday he was disappointed that Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson stopped a private prosecution against the top management of Sandal’s Royal Bahamian Resort without giving him and others the courtesy of knowing.

Gibson said he only found out about the nolle on Tuesday.  The attorney general issued it on August 15, the same day around 600 jobs were being made redundant at the Cable Beach resort.

‘I’m disappointed that we were sitting around talking to the union to resolve the matter with Sandals, and Sandals wouldn’t budge, the union wouldn’t budge, and the AG [took action and did not] notify me as minister of labor or the union who we were talking to, about what she did,” Gibson told The Guardian.

Apparently, minister Gibson seems to be ‘disrespected’ by the fact that he was not informed about the attorney general intervening and stopping a private prosecution against the top management of the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, while he was attempting to resolve the matter but not feeling disrespected about the manner in which the workers were treated in the first place, odd.

This is not the first time that minister Gibson claims to have found out something out [about this situation] at the last minute, as he has also claimed to have found out about the intent of Sandals as it regarded their employees at the 11^th hour, thus rendering him ‘powerless’.

But the good minister should not feel in any way slighted by the Attorney General’s rude behavior toward him because it would seem that the Prime Minister was also uninformed about this matter; “He [Shane Gibson] also said the prime minister had indicated that he was not aware that a nolle had been issued.”  Why should she inform anyone of her intentions when she had already informed the country that she is only constitutionally answerable to the Queen but it seems that one person knew or having found out after the fact approved of the attorney general keeping her other parliamentary colleagues in the dark after having thrown a few of them under the bus, and this would be Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts.

“In a statement issued last night Roberts said: our view [who is our? His and the AG’s?], the Office of the Attorney General is correct in its judgment. And the Progressive Liberal Party supports the decision”, so Mr. Roberts has bound the entire party to this decision that some of them claim to have no knowledge of and after finding out are disappointed’ about.  Shame.

But then of course there is the possibility that each and every one of them knew about the decision before hand and are using the Attorney General as a ‘patsy’ because they believe that constitutionally she is beyond reproach.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END