The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Darron Cash yesterday urged BTC “take-back” negotiators to stop wasting the Bahamian people’s time with promises to expose hidden findings of the corporation’s privatisation process.

Since taking office last May, Prime Minister Perry Christie has made it clear the he plans to fight tooth and nail to recapture an additional two per cent stake in the company. The recapture was a major campaign promise of the PLP.

However, political pundits strongly doubt the government will be able to deliver on its promise. With that, Mr Cash said, Franklyn Wilson, chairman of the government-appointed negotiating team has realised that their efforts will bear no fruit. As a result, Mr Wilson has resorted to promises of exposing certain details of the deal to deflect public attention from their failed efforts. They began negotiations last October.

Mr Cash made his statement in response to Mr Wilson who told a reporter that there were several “shocking revelations” abuot BTC that the Bahamian people should know about. He insisted that the government allow a select committee to probe BTC’s sale.

“I do not need Mr Wilson to question me of my confidence of the former Minister of Finance (former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham),” said M Cash. “I want him to know that I not only repeat the party line, I am instrumental in forming the party line.

“I ensure that we speak the truth and he and his colleagues are grossly embarrassed of their inability to capture 2 per cent. They must then try to deflect attention off the Christie government.

“Just as a select committee for a new parliament building is not necessary, neither is a select committee needed to look into the BTC matter. He should put his shocking revelations of BTC right beside the same ones they claim to have of Blue Water. Stop wasting our time.” Mr Cash went on to note that the Bahamian people have good reason to doubt any government led inquiry of BTC.

“The public should question that they would have any fair or reasonable inquiry by this government. If they wish to have one the Bahamian people should request an independent one. They cannot be trusted to carry out any probe,” Mr Cash said.

As it stands, BTC owns 51 per cent while the public owns the remaining 49 per cent in a deal orchestrated by the former FNM government.

Mr Christie has said if the negotiations reach a stalemate, the government would explore other options, which include foreign competition.