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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
MEMORIES – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. Fred Mitchell, centre, as he discussed the situation at Memories Resort. Left is the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville. Pictured right is Hubert Ferguson, Deputy Director of Immigration with responsibility for Grand Bahama Island. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell on Thursday morning met with members of the press along with the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.
The press briefing, which was held at Bahamas Information Services offices, was called to address a number of matters relating to the policies of the Department of Immigration in The Bahamas and how they are being applied.
All senior Immigration officers of the Department of Immigration on Grand Bahama attended the briefing.
During the briefing, Minister Mitchell addressed a complaint against the General Manager of Memories Resort, who on December 24 requested the Grand Bahama Youth Choir leave the resort: he pointed out that the matter was first managed by the Ministry for Grand Bahama, and continues to be so managed.
He explained that an investigation was ordered into the complaints given that the Grand Bahama public was agitated about the matter.
According to Mr. Mitchell, that report is now complete and it has made certain recommendations, with appropriate actions to be taken shortly.
“We must, however, be certain of the facts and never move in an arbitrary or capricious fashion.
“But generally speaking I want to say that there are too many complaints now, in the Exumas, here in Grand Bahama, in New Providence, of this kind of abusive conduct towards Bahamians and there is this feeling that people believe that when they come to The Bahamas, obtain a status here that they can actually act and speak to Bahamians in anyway, manner, shape or form or fashion,” Minister Mitchell said.
“That is on the face of it abusive conduct, and it seems to me incompatible with the status of someone who is a guest in the country,” he said.
Also commenting on the Memories Resort issue was the Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville, who informed that on December 24, 2015 Mr. Kevin Tomlinson, Founder and Director of the Grand Bahama Youth Choir, while performing at Memories Resort, was abruptly asked to leave the property by the General Manager.
He confirmed that his Ministry also received a number of reports alleging abusive and disrespectful treatment of employees by the General Manager.
“As a result of these allegations,” said Minister Darville, “my Ministry issued a press statement advising that the Government of The Bahamas would initiate a complete investigation into the allegations and take the appropriate action.
“A team from the Department of Labour lodged an investigation into these alleged matters. The Labour report has been concluded, and we are in possession of it, and currently reviewing the contents.
“We are also in talks with executives in the Corporate Office of Memories Resort, and we will meet shortly after the New Year, and issue a statement on the way forward,” the Minister for Grand Bahama said.
He affirmed that his Ministry and the Government of The Bahamas takes claims of that nature very seriously and that they remain resolute in their commitment to fight for Bahamians.
“We are servants of the public and our commitment to our people remains steadfast,” Dr. Darville said.
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