Bahamian Politics
Roberts: Bahamasair return to Mayaguana is good news - Apr 22, 2014 - 6:17:56 PM

The completion of the runway refurbishment at the Mayaguana Airport and the return of regularly scheduled Bahamasair flights there after a five year absence are significant milestones for the residents of that Island and signal the resurgence of the Mayaguana economy.

The facts are that this runway refurbishment which was well underway when the PLP demitted office in 2007 and the heavy hand of Hubert Ingraham and the FNM brought the I-Group Project to a grinding halt and the elimination of over 80 jobs. The People of Mayaguana suffered at the hands of the FNM for five long years as nothing was done to improve the quality of their lives or build their economy. The 5,000 acres of land giveaway by the FNM in a fee simple...

Bahamian Politics
Branville McCartnery: PLP Late Again - Apr 21, 2014 - 12:12:34 PM

The PLP’s approach to governance since taking office in 2012 has left much to be desired. In what has seemingly become their modus operandi, this government has proven time and time again that it is unfit to oversee the affairs of the nation. Despite numerous public assurances that they would aggressively tackle the country’s many pressing issues, this PLP administration has proven itself dysfunctional, unfocused and incompetent; failing to meet their own legislative deadlines on issues relative to tax reform, a Freedom of Information Act, gaming, crime and countless other policy initiatives such as job creation, all while reneging on the countless promises made while in opposition.

Bahamian Politics
DNA: Airport Highlights Government’s Incompetence - Apr 17, 2014 - 2:54:19 PM

Within weeks the government is likely to have a soft-opening of the long overdue Leonard M Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour, Abaco and Abaconians may at long last finally begin enjoying the use of the facilities.

As is customary, and possibly by the middle of the year or later, there may even be a grand opening as governments like to do, complete with demonization of the former administration for incompetence and applauding themselves as the heroes who finally delivered the goods!...

Bahamian Politics
The African People’s Socialist Party-Bahamas Position Statement and ten demands on reparations - Apr 17, 2014 - 8:02:43 AM


Nassau, The Bahamas - The African People’s Socialist Party-Bahamas (APSP-Bahamas) requests that the National Reparations Commission consider and adopt the following facts and demands for its case against Europe for Reparations for the genocide of the indigenous people and the enslavement and colonization of African people in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

The APSP-Bahamas recognizes that the reparations issue has to be the property of the masses if it is to be a significant political question...

Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts: Minnis must be man enough and apologize - Apr 17, 2014 - 4:30:43 AM

Nassau, Bahamas -  A statement by Bradley B. Roberts National Chairman, Progressive Liberal Party:

If Minnis believes the hype and rhetoric of his own party, then he should take his party’s advice and publicly apologize for his ill-conceived analogy just as his party called for an apology from MP Leslie O Miller when Mr. Miller used an analogy to make a larger political point that some found offensive. To use the tragedy of 239 innocent souls on Malaysian flight MH370 to grandstand and posture was disgraceful, in poor taste and I call on Dr. Minis to publicly apologize for that unfortunate analogy.

I submit that what is good for the goose must be good for the gander; there cannot be double standards and Dr. Minnis cannot have it both ways...

Bahamian Politics
Branville McCartney: The American Security Warning - Jan 29, 2014 - 3:48:51 PM

On Tuesday, 29th January 2014 the U. S. Embassy in Nassau issued a warning to its citizens residing in and traveling to the Bahamas to be aware of their surroundings and remain on high alert to avoid being a victim of crime. The warning stated that “armed robbery and violent crime remain major threats facing U.S. citizens in the Bahamas…In the past eight months, a number of U.S. citizens have fallen victim to armed robbery and two have been murdered”.

This warning was seen by millions of people around the world and indeed this does not bode well for the Bahamas. It is destroying our number one industry… tourism. This warning tells the world that we are an unsafe country, point blank! Think about it, if you were to receive a warning of this nature...

Bahamian Politics
Branville McCartney: Bahamians are NO Fools! - Jan 23, 2014 - 10:57:57 AM

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is incredulously disappointed in the Christie administration, which, as failed negotiations with Cable and Wireless further proves, continues to show no real plan for governance.

Many Bahamians voted for the Progressive Liberal Party on the premise that Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) ownership would be returned to them. They deserve an apology—one from the former Prime Minister for selling the corporation in the first place and one from the current Prime Minister for selling such a far-fetched dream.

Bahamian Politics
This Week in Bahamian Politics - Feb 22, 2013 - 11:48:36 PM

Check here for the past week in Bahamian Politics!

The Bahamas Weekly provides a category just for the political voices of The Bahamas, whether it be the Free National Movement, the Progressive Liberal Party, the Bahamas Democratic Movement, the National Development Party, or a place for anyone to write about their political opinion in The Bahamas.

Read the latest viewpoints or banter right here on The Bahamas Weekly...

Bahamian Politics
Commentary: The chill of government financial irresponsibility - Jan 1, 2012 - 3:15:21 PM

As financial analysts the world over await the outcome of the "negotiations" in the United States to see if they can avoid the so called fiscal cliff - the day automatic tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in - many people believe it will push their economy back into a recession. To unsettle things even more, the fiscal problems have not abated in Europe and right here at home there are unsettling concerns among the business sector and taxpayers.

With The Bahamas debt to GDP ratio approaching 60% (including unfunded liabilities), and rumours of government cash flow troubles, they remain remarkably quiet on plans to help revive the struggling Bahamian economy and avoid...

...

Bahamian Politics
DNA: The Bahamas - Still Paralyzed by Fear - Apr 16, 2014 - 12:12:07 PM

Over the past two weeks, newspaper headlines have recounted horrific stories of violence, murder and mayhem which have gripped communities here in New Providence and on Grand Bahama Island; cementing crime and the fear of crime as one of the country’s most pressing national issues. What these disturbing newspaper articles also reveal though, is that this current administration is clueless about how to make our paradise safer.

Many Bahamians will recall the many promises made on the campaign trail. Television commercials which boasted that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) had the answer to the country’s rising crime concerns. In fact, many Bahamians will also recall the placement of massive billboards across...

Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts: FNM is divided and in a race to the bottom - Apr 15, 2014 - 2:13:39 PM

When one considers the turmoil within the FNM, that organization is in a foot race to the bottom. Whatever role they are supposed to play in governance as the official opposition remains uncertain and unclear because it is overshadowed by their disjointed behavior and division generally. This spectacle is sinking opposition governance to the lowest levels this country has ever seen.

But since Darren Cash apparently suffers from selective memory, I am compelled to remind him of the behavior of the leadership of the FNM as HRH Loyal Opposition.

Bahamian Politics
Roberts: Minnis dodges bogus FNM claims - Apr 10, 2014 - 11:50:30 PM

Having had his chance to clear the air on the unfounded and bogus claims made by his deputy leader and chairman, Dr. Minnis instead chose to further mislead the Bahamian people in an interview with NB-12 that aired on Wednesday night, 9 April 2014.

In the interview, Minnis denies that his government approved the business plan that called for massive displacement of Bahamian workers, but instead claimed that a clause in the sales agreement with Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) gave the government veto power to prevent employee redundancies at BTC.

Bahamian Politics
Bradley Roberts: BTC Jobs outsourcing was FNM policy - Apr 8, 2014 - 6:11:43 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a statement by Bradley B. Roberts, National Chairman Progressive Liberal Party:

Loretta Butler-Turner is possessed with and enslaved by an unclean spirit of untruth, but the truth shall set her free.  

It is not enough that Butler-Turner and the FNM cabinet that served in sold BTC at a fire sale price; it is not enough that the government received significantly less than the reported price, but Loretta Butler-Turner had the unmitigated gall to go running to the media, crocodile tears and all, complaining and lying about an agreement that she and the FNM agreed to as early as February 2011.

Bahamian Politics
"The Ingraham/FNM lottery: Sold out the poor and middle class" - Apr 3, 2014 - 7:07:05 PM

A writer identified as Simon/Front Porch wrote an op ed published in the Nassau Guardian accusing the PLP government of selling out the poor and middle class. After painting a picture of gloom and doom about “largely stagnant wages and significantly less disposable income” as the new normal in the wake of the Great Recession, the writer went on to say that “for many poorer Bahamians, incomes and prospects continue to worsen.”

The writer then penned a remarkable statement. The writer opined that “during the 2012 general election the FNM, led by Hubert Ingraham, offered a variety of proposals in response to what promised to be a slog toward more vibrant economic growth amidst a dramatically changed economic environment post 2008….Ingraham promised what he thought the country could afford given fiscal constraints.”

Bahamian Politics
DNA: Shanty Towns – Broken Promises - Apr 1, 2014 - 4:55:17 PM

Nearly one year ago, the PLP government set out on a mission to rid the island of New Providence and eventually the country of the scores of shanty town communities inhabited by illegal migrants. The Minister responsible for Immigration, even made an impassioned contribution from the floor of Parliament detailing government’s plans and further, orchestrated very public media displays in which a handful of buildings in a few of these communities were actually demolished. Now, months later however, it would appear that the government has lost its zeal for this effort, again proving that its promises of sustained action in addressing this long standing problem, were simply that, promises; and a promise is a comfort to a fool...

Bahamian Politics
Exuma Goes Red - Apr 1, 2014 - 2:07:33 PM

This weekend, (Saturday March 29th, 2014) hundreds of Exumians came out to greet Free National Movement leader, Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis and party officers at the grill and chill at the party's headquarters in Georgetown Exuma.
 
Dr. Minnis told FNM supporters that the FNM will "restore" faith in government, will empower and provide opportunities for Bahamians.
 
Dr. Minnis is asking all FNM's to wear red every Saturday from now until the next election in protest of the present government's bad governance..

Bahamian Politics
DNA: Show us the Money! - Mar 31, 2014 - 1:32:17 PM

It has now become clearer than ever before, that Prime Minister Perry Christie has abandoned any pretenses that he or his administration has any intention of addressing the myriad of pressing national issues facing this country.

Last week, the Prime Minister again proved that he is concerned only with his personal comfort and legacy as a political figure, announcing plans to construct new Parliamentary facilities and a residence for the Prime Minister.

Clearly, he has chosen to abandon the many issues which his party promised to confront while on the campaign trail. Promises of increased employment; promises of mortgage relief; promises of improved crime fighting and immigration measures and promises of economic stability have all taken a back seat to the Prime Minister’s pet projects...

Bahamian Politics
DNA: The Royal Bahamas Defence Force: Boats vs. Technology - Mar 26, 2014 - 7:13:20 PM

The government last week signed an agreement with a Dutch Ship Building company for a new fleet of Defence Force Vessels at a cost of 232 million dollars. After more than two years in office, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is pleased that this PLP administration has finally turned its attention to addressing the needs of the country’s marines.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the organization responsible for protecting our country’s borders has, for some time, been grossly under-manned and in need of much needed upgrades to both equipment and facilities. Despite its best efforts however, the Christie government continues to be its own worst enemy, failing again to make decisions that could facilitate real change in that regard.

Bahamian Politics
Fred Mitchell responds to opposition’s claims on the Consulate General’s Office - Mar 24, 2014 - 5:36:21 PM


Nassau Bahamas - Enclosed is a Statement by Fred Mitchell MP for Fox Hill:

The comments about the position of the Consulate General’s office for The Bahamas by the Opposition’s spokesman on Foreign Affairs published in today’s Tribune are supercilious.

Here are the facts:

The Bahamas government decided as a matter of policy to place a Consul General in Washington D C to answer the complaints of the Bahamians living in that jurisdiction and the surrounding states spurred by the growing inattention of the government to their concerns...

Bahamian Politics
DNA: Only Friends of the Prime Minister Need Apply - Mar 24, 2014 - 2:39:05 PM

History continues to repeat itself for members of this PLP Administration who, yet again, have failed to recognize and address blatant conflicts of interests and abuse of power created by the culture of nepotism which has been allowed to develop in all aspects of governance. So central to the PLP is this culture of nepotism, that the Prime Minister himself seems unable to recognize the obvious conflicts of interests and/or abuse of power; the most recent involving Chief Value Added Tax (VAT) Coordinator Ishmael Lightbourne.

During his wrap up of the mid-year budget debate, the Prime Minister attempted to justify his actions, portraying himself as a man simply trying to help a friend.