PM CHRISTIE DEFENDS BOARD APPOINTMENTS

As of Thursday, July 12, 2012

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday defended his decision to appoint former FNM minister Algernon Allen to co-chair the Urban Renewal Commission.

Prime Minister Perry Christie

Hitting out at criticisms that Mr Allen should not have accepted the post, Mr Christie said the decision was reflective of his administration’s policy to put people first.

“He was an FNM minister, he was a scathing fellow when he attacked you, but in the full examination of his qualities and his suitability I gave him the highest commendation, he comes well equipped, well prepared,” he said.

“It is always regrettable when politics continues to divide us, even on issues that we shouldn’t be divided on.”

Mr Christie’s affirmation came as the newly appointed Bahamas Pharmacy council Chairman Barbara Donathan defended, through a press statement, her qualifications for the position.

Ms Donathan is opposition leader Hubert Minnis’ constituency office assistant. She is also a registered nurse, has experience in pharmaceutical sales and is a marketing manager.

Ms Donathan said the Christie administration had respected her enough to realise that she would never put politics or a personal agenda before doing what is right for the Bahamian people.

She said: “People have blamed both administrations for victimisation of Bahamians by not giving them jobs or positions on boards because of who they support.

“In my humble opinion, I was the least likely for the Chairman of the pharmacy council for more reasons than one, but God has used me to prove that when we put our faith and trust in him all things are possible.”

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concernedcitizen 12 years, 3 months ago

wtf its not these two that need any defense !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arob 12 years, 3 months ago

Prime Minister Christie has yet to realize that The Bahamas he is in the Internet age. Not only is the Internet used for lotteries, it is also used by Bahamians to participate in the issues confronting the country. Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, each word he utters is broadcast and scrutinized by his fellow citizens. Nimble Bahamians will challenge his government on each sound bite and evasive tactic.

Statutory boards are boards that are required by law. Because of eGovernment, we can access our laws online to determine the role of the statutory boards and we can glean the skills needed and compare the legal requirements and personal skills to determine a fit. http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/

Traditionally (in commonwealth jurisdictions), appointments to statutory boards are made on the basis of the merit of the individuals concerned taking into account the following: (a) ability, (b) expertise, (c) experience, (d) integrity, and (e) commitment to public service. In addition to these qualities, the government must give due regards to the statutory provisions of statutory bodies, function and nature of business of the bodies concerned.”

Below is an objective review of the Board of Directors for the Central Bank of The Bahamas

For example: Central Bank of The Bahamas Act. Section 3 (5) Board of Directors. “There shall be a Board of Directors of the Bank which shall be responsible for the policy and general administration of the Bank and without affecting the generality of the foregoing keeping under review the internal financial controls of the Bank with a view to securing the proper conduct of its financial affairs.” Based on the Act, the board consists of five persons 2(1)(b): the Governor of the Central Bank and four other directors. “our other Directors, being persons appearing to the Governor-General to have wide experience in, and to have shown capacity in, financial or commercial matters, industry, law or administration…” In addition, (3) “The Board may make bye-laws regulating the conduct of the Bank's business and may make regulations and issue orders for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act.”

What prohibits one from being a appointed or remain a Director— (a) member of either House of Parliament; (b) has been convicted by a court of an indictable offence or other offence involving dishonesty; (c) has been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in The Bahamas; or (d) is a director, officer or employee of, or is a shareholder of, or has a controlling interest in, any financial institution regulated by the Central Bank.

TalRussell 12 years, 3 months ago

PM why even waste your busy time answering the red shirts whose sole purpose in attacking anything your name is attached to is to paint a picture in the "original" Hubert A's Cooper's Town constituents mind's that the "new" Hubert A, is actually worthy of stopping the "original's" former, trusted law partner from winning another House seat in the upcoming by election.

The red shirts ain't no fools they know that if the "new" Hubert A , fails to secure Copper's Town, there will be a new leader. Don't believe me, just you go ask their party's Chairman "Five Pieces Chicken" Charlie?

The only advice I have for the "new" Hubert A, is to stay on the line with Jesus, right up to the time of the last vote being cast in Cooper's Town. Still I think his Christian faith is about to undergo a major test, cause any argument the "new' Hubert A, can come up with to win the seat, PM Christie will get in on the act to remind the natives of Cooper's Town, exactly how their representative sought their voters and then in a flash he forget all about their business and loyalty and went about his own private business.

Arob 12 years, 3 months ago

My fellow Bahamians, we are in the 21st century. Let's move "forward, upward and onward together"

George Santayana, Classical American Philosopher:

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. (Variations) Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat their mistakes. Those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it. Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors are destined to repeat them. Those who do not know history's mistakes are doomed to repeat them.

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