The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

BRANVILLE McCartney, DNA leader, yesterday urged Prime Minister Perry Christie to set the record straight on the numerous reports of vicitimisation against civil servants since his party took office.

Mr McCartney said that such instances have continuously been the focus of many news reports and have attracted great public interest.

He was responding to the recent announcement that hospital chief Coralie Adderley’s newly renewed contract would be prematurely cancelled despite having 18 months left to serve. It has since been said that Adderley will be compensated beyond the outlined stipulations of her contract.

“I keep hearing talks of victimisation, especially with regard to Urban Renewal and the most recent incident with Coralie Adderley of PMH,” Mr McCartney said.

“Although I am not sure of all the specifics surrounding the incident, I know that in 2007 when the FNM took office there were talks of victimisation, and now again with the new PLP government these same claims have resurfaced. Mr Christie needs to clarify what is going on. But the fact of the matter is, when a government comes into power, they make sure their people are well placed.

“Either way, it has been the same old, same old over the years,” he said.

Mr McCartney said it is important that every government ensures they do not victimise people as the country’s progression would be put at stake.

He further called all Bahamians to “hold this new Christie administration’s feet to the fire” on every single promise made during election campaigning.

“I want to see the government succeed, but I want every Bahamian to remember everything they promised and ensure they do it. We need not be a passive people. The DNA will surely be on the lookout.” 

Mr McCartney has in the past strongly supported the reintroduction of corporal punishment to the Bahamas’ justice system. 

Two weeks ago, after the public became aware of a spree of rapes throughout New Providence, Mr McCartney called for the public flogging of convicted rapists.

“(We need to) ensure that these persons, who are going around raping (and) terrorising this country are made examples of. I mention these persons who are alleged of committing rape and terrorising this country. If persons are found guilty to have done that, there should be a public flogging of these persons in my view, a public flogging,” Mr McCartney said.