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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
DNA: Fitzgerald and government mishandled the Rubis leak
By Emily Williams, DNA Candidate for Marathon, DNA Spokesperson for Culture
Jul 4, 2016 - 8:08:21 PM
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 Nassau, Bahamas - The government’s failure to adequately inform and warn residents in the Marathon Constituency about the health hazards of the Rubis gas leak affecting their water supply, was a betrayal of epic proportions. Adding insult to injury though, were comments by the area MP Jerome Fitzgerald whose feeble attempts at justifying his actions in the wake of that discovery have only added salt to a still gaping wound.
During a recent radio show appearance, MP Fitzgerald proudly declared that he had no regrets about how he handled the matter. This is a far different one from the tune he sung in the days immediately following media reports about the gas leak. At the time, Fitzgerald, when pressed by the media for answers about why he chose to remain silent, told reporters that he acted to save his job, explaining that had he spoken out, he would have lost his position in cabinet. HOW SELFISH!
Now, months later it seems that the good Minister has completely absolved himself of any responsibility in the matter and says he feels ‘NO REGRET’. He apparently has no regrets about the fact that the damning Black & Veatch report simply sat on the desk of the AG for more than a year while scores of Bahamian families were torn apart by sickness and death; and no regrets about essentially betraying the men and women who elected him to office simply to preserve his cushy political position. In another jurisdiction, Fitzgerald would have found himself stripped of both cabinet and parliamentary positions and would have also potentially faced criminal charges for his negligence and dereliction of duties. Instead under the lackluster leadership of PM Christie, he has been allowed to hold on to both posts even after publicly admitting his malfeasance.
This past Friday, Fitzgerald squandered the opportunity to apologize and make amends for his actions; instead he used the opportunity to attempt to “clear” his name and further distance himself from the matter. Fitzgerald’s inability to simply concede that both he and the government mishandled the Rubis leak is a slap in the face to those families who may have lost someone to an illness caused or exacerbated by contaminants in the area water supply. His words were cold, empty and callous, showing little regard for those residents who continue to feel the sting of that betrayal.
HOW SHAMEFUL!? It is clear that all members of the Christie cabinet, particularly Jerome Fitzgerald must be reminded that their first obligation as public servants is TO THE PUBLIC and as the Member of Parliament for the area, the onus falls on HIM to protect and serve the interests of residents in his constituency. Anyone offering themselves for public office must realize that service to one’s country MUST supersede one’s personal comfort. Our political leaders must show courage and integrity. They must be willing to stand up for PEOPLE rather than work to preserve the status quo and where necessary they must be prepared to WALK AWAY from the political establishment when it no longer protects and serves the interest of the majority of Bahamians. Once again this PLP has proven that it DOES NOT VALUE the lives, and contributions of hard working every day Bahamians. Instead, we continue to be used as political pawns only worth protecting when it suits the political elite.
Mrs. Emily Williams
DNA Candidate, Marathon
DNA Spokesperson for Culture
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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