In the wake of widespread public debate, commentary
from political figures and a statement from the AG herself on the perceived
conflict of interest surrounding her family’s involvement in Baha Mar, there
has been one voice notably absent from the conversation. Over the past few
days, PM Perry Christie’s silence on the issue has been deafening! After
adamantly declaring that he is the only person to speak on issues relative to Baha
Mar and its ongoing negotiations, his lack of response to the controversy
surrounding the government’s lead attorney is both arrogant and dismissive.
As the AG, Mrs. Maynard Gibson is responsible for
reviewing and advising the government on issues relative to potential investors
including the signing of Heads of Agreements. Is it not safe to reason then,
that she would be involved in key aspects of the process? Is it not the
government – often upon the advice of the AG that approves or disapproves an
investment? Is it not the government – again on the advice of the AG – who
approves land purchases, permanent residencies, building and environmental
permits? The simple answer is YES. This
then raises another question: Can one perceive a conflict or indeed undue influence
being if the Attorney General’s husband or daughters were to approach the
developer for leases in the project? Again, the simple answer is YES!
Despite attempting unsuccessfully to distance herself
from what is obviously a conflict of interest, the AG who like other members of
cabinet, serves at the pleasure of the PM. After being made aware of Mrs.
Maynard Gibson’s family ties to the now stalled development, it was, and is the
responsibility of the Prime Minister to ensure that such conflicts are not
allowed to exist. By allowing the AG to lead the Baha Mar negotiations the
Prime Minister not only facilitates the conflict but is also tacitly complicit
in the flouting of the country’s laws on Public Disclosure.
As an attorney and as Prime Minister of the country,
Mr. Christie is aware that section 5 of the Public Disclosure Act states, “A
declaration shall include such particulars as are known to the declarant of the
assets, income and liabilities of himself, of his spouse and of his children”.
Further, that under the Second Schedule of the Public Disclosure Act Chapter 9
of the Statute Laws of the Baha Mar, the Declaration states, “Where any
property is held by the declarant, the declarant’s spouse or the declarant’s
children in trust for any other person this should be indicated.” It is safe to
say then that since the leases obtained by the AG’s husband were granted two
years ago, the PM was fully aware of her family’s involvement. By failing to
address the issue and failing to report to the electorate on what has now
become a public spectacle, Mr. Christie is again derelict in his duties.
The Prime Minister must confirm whether he was aware
of the Attorney General’s husband’s interest in Baha Mar and approved it.
Further, in the interest of transparency and accountability, the Prime Minister
owes it to the Bahamian public to disclose whether there are other cabinet
members who have a child/children or spouse that secured contracts or have
leases with the development.
We await the Prime Minister’s response.
Branville
McCartney
DNA Leader
