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Bahamian Politics Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Opposition Leader’s Statement on Comments made by Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell
Nov 22, 2015 - 12:58:57 PM

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Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis:

In the wake of the national record-breaking murder count, and a government in a communications crisis, Prime Minister Perry Christie is seemingly sleep walking.

Comments attributed to State Minister for National Security Keith Bell published on the front page of a local daily on November 20th, 2015, represent a striking disconnect between the government and its law enforcement agencies.  The State Minister's comments also serve as disrespectful and an offensive characterization of the hard and dedicated work being carried out by the leadership and entire membership of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.  Bell suggested in the article that Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade is failing to carry out all of the government's crime-fighting initiatives, and went as far as indicating perhaps the leadership of the police force needs to be changed.  This is a personal assault on Commissioner Greenslade  career and the Christie government has also grossly insulted the relentless efforts of the committed men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.  Unfortunately, but not surprising, Christie and his government refuse to take any level of responsibility for the troubling state of our country.

While the blood of our family members, neighbours and friends stain our streets and the Commissioner of Police is pleading for the government and all stakeholders to play a more pivotal role to combat violent crimes, the substantive Minister for National Security, B.J Nottage and Bell continue to air different views on crime prevention.  Sadly, Prime Minister Christie is acting like a man in dream land hoping to wake up and to find that all of our problems would have disappeared.  Bell in his capacity as State Minister speaks for the government of The Bahamas.  If the State Minister's damning comments do in fact represent Christie's position, the Prime Minister has taken a cowardly approach to attack Commissioner Greenslade and his team.  If Bell has acted like a government unto himself, he should do the honourable thing and resign or Nottage should wake Christie up, remind him that the people of The Bahamas elected him to lead and that there is cause for Bell to be fired.   Should there be a question to the failing government as to who is really in charge, then the entire government should resign and an election should be called.

With residents living in fear and potential investors and undecided vacationers strongly re-considering The Bahamas as a choice destination, the State Minister for National Security's comments are disturbing.  Prime Minister Christie needs a reality check.
 
I wish to remind Commissioner Greenslade and all of his fine officers that they have a friend in me, the present leader of the opposition, who supports the great sacrifice that the Royal Bahamas Police Force continues to make to keep our Bahamas safe.

The people of The Bahamas can rest assured that this Christie nightmare leadership will soon come to an end and a Minnis led FNM government will partner more effectively with the police and all stakeholders to help combat violent crime.

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