Former Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie greet people on Abaco.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
ALTHOUGH retired from public life, former Prime Ministers Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham have made themselves available to the government to assist how they can with the restoration efforts in Hurricane Dorian ravaged islands.
However, they are sceptical about whether Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will have the former leaders, who have a combined 80 years in politics, take an active role in the recovery process.
At such a fragile time in the country, they agreed the prime minister needed now more than ever to pull from the resources available.
“Let me just say one point,” Mr Ingraham told reporters yesterday, “that may be perceived as criticism and if it is that’s too bad, too sad. Some people have the view that ‘listen, I have this job, I got this. So no I don’t need no help from you. I got it.’
“Well, it’s big. It’s bigger than any one man. It’s bigger than any one government, bigger than any one group and it’s our country all of our country and so we all have a duty to support.”
According to Mr Ingraham, despite speaking with Dr Minnis in the days that have followed Dorian’s passage, he did not think that the prime minister was minded to carve out a role for him as efforts continue.
At the same time, Mr Christie told reporters that when he spoke to Dr Minnis, he suggested that they meet, but this meeting has not taken place. He insisted that if Dr Minnis did not respond positively to his and Mr Ingraham’s offer, the country could face a disastrous set of circumstances.
They spoke moments after visiting several affected settlements in Abaco and flew over others. There were also plans to visit Grand Bahama this week, but weather did not allow this. That trip will take place some time next week.
The work of volunteers headquartered at Odyssey Aviation was also applauded.
For his part, Mr Christie said if he were prime minister now, he would have appointed Mr Ingraham as head of restoration efforts in Abaco.
He said: “I spoke with Prime Minister Minnis on Sunday. He called me to make a suggestion as to what he thought I could do. I indicated to him that we should meet if circumstances warranted it. That didn’t happen, but I indicated at the time that based on the experience that I have had through four or five hurricanes that he would be overwhelmed by this.
“I told him that he should exercise the greatest care because the reputation of the country was being assaulted, that he was personally being heavily criticised and that it was just too much even if he was symbolic, for him to be the symbol of restoration in this country. I said if you were to make a bold decision, the people of the Bahamas would applaud you.
“I want to stop right there with my conversation and say this to you, as a result of my visit today to Abaco I’ve seen the extraordinary amount of work that must be done physically. Knowing the resilience of the Bahamian people, the spirit that I spoke of as an indomitable spirit notwithstanding they are bewildered, they are despairing, they are deeply concerned and there appears to be uncertainty as to who they should turn to.
“I concluded that if I were the prime minister today of a PLP government, knowing the politics of our country I would have invited Hubert Ingraham to lead the restoration process for Abaco.”
He further suggested that the government establish an authority with the legislative power to deal with hurricane related issues on both islands, adding that if he were involved in raising money, he would have ensured these funds were followed to their destination.
“It is foolish not to recognise the strength of what I’ve recommended. It would be foolish because at the end of the day results are influenced heavily by people’s belief that restoration is on the way,” Mr Christie said.
While Mr Ingraham said he was willing to help in any way needed, he said he didn’t believe the prime minister would allow him a seat at the table.
Mr Ingraham said: “Notwithstanding what Mr Christie said, I don’t see a role for myself being carved out by Prime Minister Minnis in this restoration exercise and so I will give such advice as I can and such aid as I can, but I do not think that Prime Minister Minnis would be inclined towards having me take an active role in the reconstruction. That’s fine.”
As for the way forward, Mr Ingraham said he hoped all Bahamians would use his and Mr Christie’s efforts as an example.
“If Christie and I, he’s PLP and I’m an FNM, can come together, the same ought to happen down the line,” the former North Abaco MP said.
“The government ought to be seen to be operating without regard to politics (or) partisan politics and access talent wherever they can find it and to not have any concern among people that political decisions are being made with respect to this matter.”
Mr Ingraham said both former leaders are paid handsome pensions by the people of the Bahamas and it is the least they can do to assist in storm recovery efforts.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 2 months ago
There's no role for these two corrupt dinosaurs to play in our country today.....they each caused much damage to our way of life while they were in active politics. SLOP, Vomit and Hubiggity, and now Minnis, will forever be known as the fathers of our country's illegal alien problems.
Dawes 5 years, 2 months ago
As they say they just want a seat at the table, no doubt to see the size of the cookie jar. These two are part of the reason we are in the situation we are in on so many items. They have run this country for 25 of the last 27 years and could have done so much to make our country better but they didn't. The last people the current Government should listen to are these two.
geostorm 5 years, 2 months ago
There is some truth to what these two are saying, however, Dr. Minnis has every right to do it his way. Given the political climate over the last 10-15 years, these two, especially former Prime Minister Christie need to take a back seat. Perhaps, they should offer advice to Dr. Minnis and suggest persons who would be helpful to the process.
The country has faced many challenges. There has been issues with corruption, financial irresponsibility and lack of accountability. With all of that, I don't blame Dr. Minnis for going in the opposite direction. He will probably get better results that way. Unfortunately for Doc, though,Bahamians hate change and will resist everything he tries to do. We love the status quo.
SP 5 years, 2 months ago
Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie are unquestionably 100% responsible for decades of unbridled corruption, our $8B debt, encouraging and facilitating the Haitian invasion and running the country into the ditch!
What could these two colossal failures possibly have to offer Minnis that could be of any assistance? We need Ingraham and Christie back as much as we Dorian back!
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Despite their many battles in political arena over the years the colony's two former comrade prime ministers, and longtime former law partners, have remained steadfast buddies and united to use their influences help ramp up whatever support they can for the many thousands Out Islanders. left homeless, physically and psychology damaged by Hurricane Dorian yes, no .....
pileit 5 years, 2 months ago
eff off, Tal
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Ma comrade, before I heed your advice - what if I tell you for the asking, I could start write long essay blog about how the former prime minister Lynden Oscar, skillfully schooled both former prime ministers Papa Hubert and Perry Gladstone in the art winning their respective shots at governing over Colony of Out Islands, Should I, your call, yes, no ....
realitycheck242 5 years, 2 months ago
These two former Prime ministers can take a page out of former US president Jimmy Carter book and start a home rebuilding foundation for Hurricane victims. They can lead that effort and help by holding Hammer, Nails, shovels in their hands and getting dirty doing construction work. like jimmy carter's work project "Habitat for Humanity" https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/build… Just keep them both far from the cookie jar. Let them use their international contacts to raise the funds.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 2 months ago
I can just hear Minnis thinking to himself: "These two former PMs had their hands in plenty of cooky jars over many years and now they each want to lend a hand with my first really big cooky jar. No way! They mussey think I was born yesterday."
TommyQ 5 years, 2 months ago
Interesting! While I am absolutely convinced that there are many contributions which could be made by the Rt. Hon Prime Ministers Ingraham and Christie (Retired), I am at a complete loss as to why they need to be asked. Both men have been exposed to high levels of leadership for many years. Leaders do not ask permission, they do so from wherever they find themselves at any given time. The text " Your Gifts Will Make Room For You" is still true and relevant. How about activating those inherent gifts, excavating a path and allowing the world to recognize your genius gentlemen? Even in the absence of external recognition for legacy purposes, it would at least prove to be a small step toward the advancement of the work and individual self-actualization.
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 2 months ago
The best thing Ingraham and Perry can do for the islands that got hit is to fund raise, I don't see them in any other role. Fund raising will be critical so they need to accept that duty and get on with it....
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