The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

FNM Chairman Charles Maynard is questioning the timing of Prime Minister Perry Christie's comments on the sale of BTC, calling the remarks 'suspicious'.

During a radio talk show yesterday, Mr Maynard said Prime Minister Christie's remarks on the need to regain the majority shares of BTC following the nationwide disruption of service last week might be used by the government to appease supporters.

He said: "It's not transparent, I'm saying it may be just a political ploy where they are having no discussions at all. I am convinced that he is grand standing, whether that grand standing has some teeth behind it, that's what I am questioning.

"The coincidence of the shut down that day has put a real cloud of suspicion over this country."

Prime Minister Christie said the June 18 nationwide service disruption reminded him of why the former government should not have sold 51 per cent of the company to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC).

The government retaining control of BTC was one promise among many made during Mr Christie's successful election campaign.

Mr Maynard said that in his view the government's relationship with investors could be affected by comments made on the sale.

"I am just saying this whole situation including the public pronouncements from the Prime Minister is causing a dark cloud to form over the Bahamas in regards to corporate relationships with the government," he said.

Mr Maynard said that among the reasons behind the former FNM administration privatising BTC, were opening up the market, bringing in competition and giving Bahamians a choice.

"What Mr Christie is doing is jeopardising a target of liberalisation in the two years that is now left under the agreement," said Mr Maynard.