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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamian Politics
Press Statement
Free National
Movement
Nassau Bahamas
19 December
2010
What secures
our democracy is an adherence to the rule of law as well as transparent
and accountable governance. A recent statement by the Opposition
once again demonstrates their often fleeting acquaintance with these
pillars of democratic governance.
All Bahamians
Must Abide by the Law
The FNM has
gone to extraordinary lengths to preserve jobs at BTC, as well as to
agree to a partnership with C&W which will make Bahamians shareholders
in the new company. We have and will continue to act in
good faith.
As the Government
of the day, we also have an obligation to uphold the rule of law.
In accordance with that solemn obligation, we will act in an appropriate
manner, consistent with the law, if any of the unions in the BTC dispute
seek to act in an illegal manner in contravention of our labour laws
which are clearly enumerated in the Employment and Industrial Relations
Acts.
We expect the
Opposition to support the Government’s legal actions and oppose any
actions by the Unions not in accord with the law. Failure by the
PLP to support the rule of law, will clearly demonstrate what their
intensions are as regards to current debate on BTC.
PLP’s
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
In the matter
of the PLP’s proposed fire sale of BTC to the phantom entity Bluewater
Ventures, the Government noted in a recent press statement:
“Firstly,
it is not possible to know who Bluewater is because there is no history
to refer to. Bluewater was a shell company registered offshore
in Jersey in the Channel Islands, and was established in 2003, 140 years
after Cable & Wireless commenced operations. It had no financial
statements and no organizational support. It only had 2 issued
shares of 1 UK pound each. It was previously called Bluewater Communications
Ventures Ltd. It changed its name to Bluewater Ventures Ltd. removing
the word “Communications”.
“As far as
we know, given the 2 shareholders are nominee companies, its principal
is one individual foreigner who used to be in a communications business,
NTL, which went into bankruptcy in 2002. We don’t know who the
shareholders are, as this information was never provided to us.
It is mind-boggling that a decision was once taken by a Government of
The Bahamas to sell BTC to this entity. It is even more astonishing
that there are those still bold enough to publicly tout this experience
today.”
In marked contrast
the FNM has agreed to partner with Cable and Wireless, a reputable company
with over a century and a half in telecommunications, publicly traded
and is in good financial standing around the world including across
the Caribbean.
The Government
publicly announced the Memorandum of Understanding with Cable and Wireless
the very day it was agreed. Further, the details of a partnership
will be debated in the House of Assembly in the full sight of the Bahamian
people, unlike the PLP’s closed door dealing which never saw the light
of day.
The FNM is
Government in the Sunshine, as opposed to the smudgy and hazy dealing
by the PLP on deal after deal, with Bluewater as the latest troubling
example.
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