Bahamian Politics
PLP witch hunt claims are the height of hypocrisy - Jul 23, 2017 - 10:44:53 PM

The Grand Bahama Human Rights Association is shocked and appalled by the cynical posturing of the Progressive Liberal Party in the face of an ongoing anti-corruption probe.

With several senior members questioned by police and two facing charges, PLP operatives now say they may seek to apply to the United Nations and the OAS for protection.

Recognizing the right of any citizen to seek such protection, the GBHRA nevertheless calls upon the PLP to clarify its sudden change of heart and about-face regarding questions of individual rights, abuse of power and the role of international institutions.

Can this be the same PLP that, while in office, accused the GBHRA of being traitors

Bahamian Politics
“FNM Victimized NIB Employees,” says Davis - Jul 6, 2017 - 6:06:29 PM

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Interim Leader Philip Davis has lambasted the Free National Movement (FNM) and its leader Dr. Hubert Minnis for victimization, after several senior National Insurance Board (NIB) employees were placed on paid leave.

In a statement yesterday, Mr. Davis called the move vengeful and said the FNM learned nothing about governance during their time as opposition.

“The Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, who is also the minister responsible for the National Insurance Board, must immediately inform the country why at least three employees of the National Insurance Board were summarily dismissed...

Bahamian Politics
Budget Debate by Senator Fred Mitchell - Jun 27, 2017 - 11:05:23 PM

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.  Abraham Lincoln.

Shakespeare tells us about the winter of our discontent. This is winter for the PLP. It will be cold, bitter and long as winters often are. But as sure as the sun will shine tomorrow, spring will come and then summer. The inevitable move of the seasons of life.  It is cyclical.  Everything must change. In the moment and the twinkling of an eye, we shall all be changed.

I sent a private message to PLPs who were despairing to tell them that they should stop wringing their hands. What has happened in the general election is neither messianic nor apocalyptic. It is simply an election...

Bahamian Politics
Senator Hon. Jamal Moss Budget Contribution - Jun 27, 2017 - 11:01:13 AM

The following is the 2017 Budget Presentation by Senator Hon. Jamal Moss:

MADAM PRESIDENT

I rise this day in this Honourable Chamber, on the strength of none other than God, Almighty.

I, would like to express, my sincere and warm gratitude, to those who have played a role, in my being here today. I will forever be grateful to you and for what you have done to motivate me and aid me along my life's journey...

Bahamian Politics
Opposition Senator, Coleby-Davis 2017 Budget Presentation - Jun 26, 2017 - 5:50:22 PM

I feel extremely blessed to formally address this place for the very first time. Additionally, I count this a privilege and one of my most proud moments as a young professional; to have been afforded this opportunity to take part in the continued effort to build, empower and unite this great country, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. I pray that God grants me continued favor and my contributions in this place will be beneficial to the betterment of the Bahamian society, and by extension the Bahamian people.

I wish to extend praise and adoration to the Heavenly Father, who has instilled in me the faith and confidence to be fearless, work hard and reach for the sky, because it is indeed the limit!

Bahamian Politics
Leader of Opposition Brave Davis on BahaMar Documents Unsealing - Jun 26, 2017 - 6:59:27 AM

Last week, with great fanfare, Prime Minister Minnis announced in the House of Assembly that the BahaMar deal had been unsealed. However he did not have the
courage to own up to the facts of the deal, which he left to the Attorney-General, Carl Bethel, QC.

The Attorney-General revealed that there is nothing out of the ordinary about the
BahaMar Agreement.

He recommended that the government honour the lawful contracts of the previous
administration...

Bahamian Politics
Senator Dr. Michael Darville 2017/2018 Budget Contribution - Jun 24, 2017 - 10:02:59 PM

Senator, The Honourable Dr. Michael R. Darville Contribution to the 2017 - 2018 Budget Honourable Senate of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on Friday, 23rd June, 2017:

Thank you, Madam President, and once again congratulations to you, and all Honourable Senators around the table.

Madam President, today I rise to make my contribution to the 2017 - 2018 Budget debate.

Madam President, after experiencing a major defeat at the polls a few weeks ago, and having an opportunity to reflect on our successes and mistakes, I remain resolute that Progressive Liberal Party is still the only political organization that can effectively navigate our country though the turbulent waters that lie ahead; and I remain confident that time will prove this statement to be true...

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...