Bahamian Politics
Senator Fred Mitchell on Raising a Matter of Privilege - Jun 22, 2017 - 9:47:45 PM

I have received a number of inquiries from my family and from the Leader of the Opposition about a campaign of full page ads that is being run in The Tribune by a nameless, faceless group calling itself Committee Against Mitchell or Bahamians Against Mitchell. These ads have been running continuously on the back pages of The Tribune as full pages for a number of weeks since the general election. They are defamatory.

I wish to say that our investigators have determined who the author of these ads is and they are satisfied that there is no such Committee but that this is another disguise which is used by a well known attorney to attack his political opponents.

I will formally lay over a complaint of breach of privilege in due course pursuant to the rules of the Senate and in due time...

Bahamian Politics
Leader of The Opposition responds to Prime Minister and Govt. Ministers - Jun 22, 2017 - 3:02:50 PM

Statement by the Hon Philip Davis MP, Leader of the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party House of Assembly:

In the House of Assembly, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and some of his Ministers made certain assertions. Invariably, though, attempts to prove lies will always prove fruitless. I do not now, nor have I ever, condoned or encouraged wrongdoing. Threats will not change this. We do not seek to excuse. We seek to share full facts and welcome any investigations into these facts.

Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF)

The allegation that the PLP allowed the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) payments to lapse, causing the forfeiture of up to $33 million in damages for Hurricane Matthew is false...

Bahamian Politics
PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis MP presentation on 2017/2018 budget (pdf) - Jun 21, 2017 - 11:55:49 AM

I rise on behalf of the good and resilient people of the great constituency of Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. As in all things I first give thanks to Almighty God for all of His many blessings. I repose absolute faith and confidence in Him and endeavor to cause my words, thoughts, and actions to please Him.

I have had the humble pleasure of bringing Cat Island’s voice to this Place for five non- consecutive terms beginning with the By-Election in January of 1992; Rum Cay and San Salvador were later added at the General Elections in August of that year.

My constituents have consistently believed in me. They have trusted me to come here to advocate on their behalf and, for that trust, again I pledge to work diligently on their behalf so as to prove myself worthy of their continued support.

Before I address, what I consider to be an egregious issue, I take this opportunity to thank my wife Ann Marie and our children, who have stood by me without faltering...

Bahamian Politics
Former Chairman of Airport Authority and NAD Statement - Jun 19, 2017 - 9:24:20 AM

STATEMENT BY ANTHONY A. McKINNEY, QC, former Chairman of Nassau Airport Development Company Limited (“NAD”) in reply to Statements made in the House of Assembly by the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism, Aviation & Bahamasair with respect to PatMor Limited (a tenant at the Lynden Pindling International Airport).

1) When the Board took office on 1st July, 2012, PatMor was the tenant or lessee with respect to five (5) rental units in the Lynden Pindling International Airport. At this time, PatMor rent payment obligations to NAD were in arrears in the aggregate amount of $1.2M...

Bahamian Politics
Ian Poitier responds to statement by tourism minister D’Aguilar in HOA - Jun 19, 2017 - 12:32:23 AM

Early on Friday morning, I was made aware of statements made in the House of Assembly last Thursday night (June 15th) by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar.

Although he did not mention me by name, taking together all the details mentioned, I surmised that he was referring to me. Others have clearly concluded the same.

In his remarks relating to me, the Minister made the following allegations:

1) That there was something ‘fishy’ about my consultancy with the Government

2) That Executives at the Ministry of Tourism think that whatever work I’ve done

doesn’t represent value for money...

Bahamian Politics
Hon. Hanna-Martin reponds to House comments attributed to Minister of Tourism - Jun 18, 2017 - 6:19:24 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - The following is a press statement from the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin:

It is very unfortunate that the new Minister of Aviation has sought to cast aspersion on the former NAD Board while speaking in the House of Assembly, a place where members of that Board cannot defend themselves.

The new Minister alleged impropriety on the part of the Board which comprises respected Bahamian men and women, from various professional backgrounds and in respect of which each has distinguished him or herself; that Board also includes the CEO of Vantage Group of Companies...

Bahamian Politics
Statement by Senator Darville by opposition spokesperson on health - Jun 18, 2017 - 5:32:08 PM

"Dr. Sands needs to lay all hospital contracts to prove his claims, or apologize to the Bahamian people"
 
During his budget debate, Health Minister Hon. Dr. Duane Sands indicated that the former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration awarded ninety million dollars ($90,000,000.00) worth of healthcare contracts, weeks before the general election; and made specific reference to the awarding of a five hundred thousand dollar monthly maintenance contract for the mini hospital in Abaco while the facility was closed, and a four hundred and twenty four thousand dollar ($424,000.00) monthly maintenance contract for the mini hospital in Exuma, by way of the Department of Public Health. These statements are absolutely untrue.

Bahamian Politics
DNA provides beach safety suggestions in light of recent tragedy. - Jun 6, 2017 - 2:56:17 PM

Heartfelt condolences to the family of the Angel who lost her life on June 2, 2017. I would like to commend the Royal Bahamas Police Force, The Bahamas Defense Force and the citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for mobilizing themselves to assist this family during this time.

This tragic loss, as all others are, has made a tremendous impact on our citizenry and we must use this loss as a measure to prevent others. We must do all we can as family members and citizens to protect our children...

Bahamian Politics
Roberts, "PM Minnis and D’aguilar In Conflict of Interest over Baha Mar Meeting" - Jun 6, 2017 - 12:05:02 AM

Reports coming to our attention of a meeting or meetings between Prime Minister Minnis, his Minister of Tourism the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar and Baha Mar representatives is an example of naked and arrogant conflict of interest.

Mr. D’Aguilar sat as a member of the board of Baha Mar, and without considering the fate of the Bahamian employees and contractors voted to put the Resort into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. D’Aguilar conspired with the original developer Izmerlian to deceive the government of the Bahamas, opposing at every turn, the policy decisions of the government to have displaced workers and unsecured contractors paid and to facilitate the completion and opening of the resort.

Bahamian Politics
DNA: The “Rich People’s” Budget - Jun 5, 2017 - 7:50:02 PM

Let them eat cake or salmon! After examination of the budget communication by the new Minister for Finance, Peter Turnquest on behalf of the new FNM administration it is clearly a budget which favors the rich but does very little for the small man.

In their latest campaign promise bait and switch, the FNM has moved away from reducing duties on bread basket items, and instead decided to reduce duties on “much needed” goods and foods like salmon, cakes, x-ray machines and gym equipment.

The FNM has backed away from it’s pledge to reduce Value Added Tax on core items and services. Similarly they have also backed away from their inner-city tax initiative which was supposed to be a Hallmark of their government...

Bahamian Politics
Opposition Leader Announces Shadow Cabinet and Constituency Caretakers - Jun 5, 2017 - 2:54:59 PM

Statement from the Leader of the Opposition, The Hon. Philip Davis Announcing Decisions from the PLP’s Leadership Council (June 1)

The Leadership Council of the PLP held its first meeting since the General Election on 31^st May at the Lynden Pindling Centre. In addition to the officers of the party and elected council members, all candidates in the general election were invited to the meeting.

I wish to announce the following arising out of the meeting:

Bahamian Politics
Hon. Philip Brave Davis responds to The Budget Communication - May 31, 2017 - 3:32:10 PM

Remarks By Hon. Philip Brave Davis, MP Leader of Opposition responding to Budget Statement:

The Budget statement should be an outline of the legislative measures which the Government plans to take to improve the revenue and expand the economy not a forum for political bashing and biased posturing. The Government must get on with the business of governing.

It is also shocking that the FNM government is within its first weeks in office borrowing an unprecedented 722 million dollars to run the business of the Government.  

When you look dispassionately at the budget statement, you will discover that the statement reveals and is an admission that the fundamentals of our economy were prudently managed and a solid foundation laid for growth...

Bahamian Politics
Hon. Philip Brave Davis remarks at Annual Baptist Convention - May 31, 2017 - 9:26:41 AM

Remarks By Hon. Philip Brave Davis at the Annual Baptist Convention  Tuesday May 30th, 2017:

I am very pleased to personally celebrate with you tonight.  I have the distinguished honour, though, to bring prayerful greetings of the leadership, officers, stalwarts, and members of Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

I congratulate all of you who celebrate this Eighty-Second (82nd) Annual Assembly of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention.  Many are your fruits since Reverend A. C. Symonette served as your inaugural President in 1935... 

Bahamian Politics
Roberts: Minnis Government Engaged In Rank And Naked Victimization - May 31, 2017 - 4:55:36 AM

Statement by Bradley B. Roberts National Chairman Progressive Liberal Party 30th May 2017:

The PLP is obliged to remind all Bahamians that Dr. Hubert Minnis as Leader of the Opposition made an unsolicited declaration during the recent General Election campaign that if his party won, there would be no political victimization in his administration.

Information received by the PLP clearly confirms that Prime Minister Dr. Minnis has again seriously misled Bahamians and has gone back on his word by dismissing senior staff at the National Insurance Board without justification or cause. Using the pretext of an audit to violate the employees’ contractual terms of engagement is a lame excuse what is blatant political victimization and intimidation...

Bahamian Politics
Roberts: Minnis Stands on a Shaky Foundation of Broken Promises and Electoral Deceit - May 28, 2017 - 11:24:21 PM

Statement by Bradley B. Roberts, Progressive Liberal Party National Chairman 28th May 2017:

I was asked by the Press to comment on the FNM Government Speech from the Throne which supplements the immediate comments of the Leader of The Opposition Hon Philip Brave Davis MP.

Dr. Minnis is beginning his term in office on a losing wicket because he deceived the Bahamian people when he campaigned on promises to “repeal” VAT on Electricity, health care services and breadbasket items only to back-peddle and move away from those campaign promises in the Speech from the Throne after duping tens of thousands of Bahamian voters into supporting the FNM...

Bahamian Politics
DNA comments on Speech From the Throne - May 26, 2017 - 3:37:24 PM

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) joins all Bahamians today in congratulating the newly elected and appointed Members of Parliament who have been entrusted with the enormous responsibility of overseeing the affairs of our Commonwealth. We wish God’s speed and guidance as they begin to govern in the interest of all Bahamians.

The DNA has conducted a preliminary review of the speech from the throne as delivered by the Governor General - Her Excellency, Dame Marguerite Pindling. While it is our intention to speak in more detail on all aspects of the speech over the coming days and weeks, we offer a few of our observations on the proposed agenda of the new administration as articulated by the Governor General...

Bahamian Politics
(Photos / Video) Scenes from Opening of Parliament - May 24, 2017 - 10:25:56 PM

Nassau, Bahamas - Wednesday, May 24th, Bahamian Parliament re-opened. It was fourteen days since the historic landslide election victory of the Free National Movement.

Photos seen here were taken by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry and the video was livestreamed during the event by the Free National Movement.

Bahamian Politics
Opposition Leader responds to Speech from the Throne - May 24, 2017 - 5:40:28 PM

The Government must now enter the real world of governance and not trash talk from a platform.

Governance requires hard choices. It is easy as a critic to stand and promote ideas which have no foundation in fact but reality has now hit home.

We listened intently and the reality is that the Speech from the Throne is an acknowledgement of the transformative foundation already constructed by the Progressive Liberal Party Government. We are encouraged to hear that the Government has embraced essential job related skills training and specialized programmes for youth unemployment...

Bahamian Politics
PLP Leader Remarks as Four Senators Appointed - May 23, 2017 - 4:18:35 PM

The following are remarks made by The Leader Of The Opposition
Philip Brave Davis MP, at the Appointment Of The Opposition Senators, at Government House on May 23rd, 2017:

I am honoured yet again to be received with such gracious hospitality at Government House this afternoon.

I am most grateful, Your Excellency, for the courtesies you have extended, not only to me to and my colleagues in both House of Parliament but to the many guests that are gathered here to witness these proceedings...

Bahamian Politics
DNA Women urge more female participation at the Cabinet level - May 23, 2017 - 2:16:23 PM

On behalf of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), the women of the DNA and our male counterparts extend congratulations to the Prime Minister, The Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis and the Free National Movement (FNM) on securing a resounding victory in the 2017 General Elections. We look forward to working with the current administration to restore good governance, economic and social prosperity to our nation.

The DNA also extend congratulations to the four (4) female candidates of the FNM, Mrs. Lanisha Rolle, Ms. Shonnel Ferguson, Mrs. Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe and Rev. Miriam Emmanuel who were successful in their bid to become Members of Parliament during the said elections...