The Tribune

By ADRIAN GIBSON

ajbahama@hotmail.com

THE Bahamas has become more polarised since the election of 2012, with certain members of both major political parties stoking the embers of the fiery political divisions now consuming the electorate due in large part to their high-strung rhetoric and histrionics.

Indeed, the governance of the PLP thus far has left much to be desired as the governing party has failed to deliver on many of their pre-election promises for which they imposed time frames on themselves (e.g. 100-day benchmark), have been endlessly accused of victimisation and authoritarian stances, and of selling dreams—dreams that for some Bahamians have turned to nightmares (Urban Renewal workers, persons who got clean-up and excavation contracts who haven’t been paid in months, etc). That said, one would also posit that the government has had some highlights, particularly the acquiring of Our Lady’s school which would be outfitted and relaunched as a special education institution (e.g. autism). Steadily developing and expanding the tourism industry, broadening the scope of financial services, extending duty free exemption for Family Islanders, re-establishing the Ministry of Financial Services and Investments and reducing Stamp Tax are all positives.

If one launched a national poll, it would quickly be discovered that Bahamians feel disenchanted and that the general consensus is that many Bahamians have lost confidence in a government that ran a general election campaign centred on the mantra of believing in Bahamians. Claims of victimisation and underhandedness, fear-mongering and the leak of the controversial draft Bill that would allow casino operators to conduct online gambling whilst prohibiting Bahamian number house operators from engaging in the same, has negatively impacted the outlook of many Bahamians on the “new” government. Relative to the draft Bill—as with concessions related to the local development of boutique hotels and other touristic properties when contrasted to the over abundance of concessions and allowances bestowed upon foreign investors (many of whom are merely land speculators) — taxpaying Bahamians have hardly been given consideration. Or, was the notion of believing in Bahamians simply a serial exaggeration meant to win a general election?

Thus far, the Broadcasting Corporation has been utilized as a political whore, producing lame programmes, a horrendously biased and unbearable newscast and recycling old programmes from the late 90s and early 2000s. ZNS has long crossed the threshold of shameless. These days, the newscasts are filled with selective reporting and lots of “the Minister says,” “Mr Christie this or that” and other related propaganda that has effectively displaced real news with politically-based reports that are devoid of analysis and balance, and do not represent the interests of the Bahamian public or denote the essence of an impartial public service broadcasting entity. It is high time that ZNS advances the preservation of Bahamian heritage and culture, national unity, social development, education, public health and national security rather than political agendas.

Indeed, at both ZNS and on the broader governmental level, there is a need—on both sides of the political divide— for principled and visionary leadership, undergirded by integrity and accountability to an increasingly agitated, questioning public.

The failure of the gambling referendum, which the governing party promoted but failed to openly support (except for the Freudian slip of Chairman Bradley Roberts), has been a notable blot on the government’s record thus far. Frankly, I was perplexed that the government would have a gambling referendum on a Monday, just one day after church-goers had attended church, had heard fiery sermons condemning the exercise by their respective pastors and were warned not to dabble—as one parishioner told me—in the “devil’s work.” I think that the timing was wrong and ill-considered and, whatever one may wish to say about Bahamians, recognition must be had for their fear of God and for the ability of pastors to debunk them of any notion to “fly up in the face of God and attempt to legalize a practice where one doesn’t earn a living by the sweat of their brow” (as one parishioner emphatically told to me). The referendum was simply a chaotic sham!

Would parents feed their neighbour’s children whilst neglecting their own? Would a shepherd neglect his flock whilst catering to that of another? Will empowerment and an entrepreneurial thrust of Bahamians ever be embraced so that we are afforded the same concessions and opportunities as the foreign investor?

If anyone carefully analyses it, they would discover that The Charter for Governance, is merely a compilation of written, ravenous propaganda which was seemingly designed to emotionally blackmail the electorate. It is not a real blueprint for the Bahamas’ transformation and it offers nothing substantive. The Charter is poorly written, full of generalizations and generic at best. There is nothing truly perspective-altering. Whilst it’s still too early to write-off the government as a failure, one could see how some Bahamians—both FNM and PLP—feel that they were “bamboozled, hoodwinked, lied to and run amok.”

Don’t get me wrong, I like Prime Minister Perry Christie; although I have been very critical of the PM in the past (2002-2007), he was extremely cordial when we met at a church service a few years ago and I respect that. That said, why does the PM always insist that he is unaware of some of the goings-on in his government? Why are retirees constantly being hired and appointed to key government and ambassadorial posts when qualified young people are capable of filling such posts? Beyond political payback, is there any other reason why old, retired police officers were brought back to the police force?

I doubt that the government can re-acquire a majority shareholding in BTC without nationalising the company or shaking investor confidence. I highly doubt that the government could reclaim the much desired two per cent.

What is the role of the Ministry of Grand Bahama? How is it constituted? What is its frame of reference?

Has Urban Renewal 2.0 failed, considering the crime rate and the fact that the programme has been primarily centred on excavation and clean-ups?

Where are the tangible successes that one can point to considering the borrowing of a billion dollars over a 13-month period? Where did the money go?

The PLP government is suffering from many of the symptoms that plagued them in their last term. Even with ZNS, the PLP’s public relations are a total disaster and even if they are performing, they are so ineffective at getting the message out that nobody knows. Surely, the PLP must know that in politics, perception is reality! Indeed, in every ministry there should be a public relations department but it appears that only Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett has been smart enough to realise that and use it effectually. He has hired a public relations specialist in his ministry just to generate good PR.

There is a need for a strong leadership response to crime. Whilst Minister for National Security Bernard Nottage and Minister of State Keith Bell have been proposing some noteworthy initiatives of late, the Prime Minister is not forceful enough and not sufficiently at the forefront relative to addressing the biggest issue facing our country.

The handling of diplomatic appointments abroad has been disastrous. Certainly, one does not believe that the debacle surrounding Elliston Rahming is due to any inaction by Fred Mitchell, although he would be held accountable for it because of the Cabinet’s collective responsibility protocols and the face that he is the Foreign Minister. According to reliable sources, Mr Mitchell is frustrated with the topsy-turvy state of Rahming’s appointment. Frankly, my sources assert that Fred Mitchell is a bit too methodical and far too organized to have committed such a diplomatic boo-boo. And so, what is Mr Christie’s role in all of this? Was Elliston Rahming the PM’s choice for Bahamas Ambassador to Washington?

Further, my sources tell me that the United States may have issues with the Bahamas’ appointment of Mr Rahming as its Ambassador to the US for reasons allegedly related to his most recent tenure as head of the prison. Did an American die in prison while Mr Rahming served as Superintendent? And, if so, was a report done and, if so, why are the Americans not satisfied with the report?

My sources tell me that Mr Rahming will be appointed the Bahamas’ Ambassador to the UN while Dr Eugene Newry will leave that post in New York and be appointed the Bahamas’ Ambassador to Washington.

The fiasco at National Insurance Board was a misstep on the governing party’s part. Quite honestly, many Bahamians were insulted that the government would spend $800,000 —more than the aggregate total of all the bonuses given to executives it purportedly was investigating—to go on what many perceived to be a witch hunt.

The general pace of the government thus far has been slow, with some appointments yet outstanding. The last of the government’s appointments to BTC’s Board was recently appointed, however the opening for a board member on Cable Bahamas’ Board has yet to be filled.

Last year, the PLP was an extraordinarily united force, but one wonders if the electorate has lost faith and become disaffected by some of their policies/behaviour since their landslide victory at the polls. Traditionally, the Labour Day march has always been strongly supported by PLPs (1,500 or so usually turn up); however, although buses were sent around the constituencies this year, only about 150 people showed up for the march.

Indeed, there are some areas where there are noticeable and marked improvements since the PLP regained the government. I’m pleased to see that the budget heavily focuses upon the Family Islands and Family Island development (don’t forget my hometown, Long Island).

Even more, there are a few prominent investments about to come on-stream, from the five star resort planned by Warwick on Paradise Island (the all-inclusive Paradise Island Harbour Resort) to the Reef resort at Our Lucaya to the Bahamian-foreign joint venture that is being undertaken for the Andros Lighthouse Club. Moreover, I’m told that the investment climate is improving and catering to Bahamians, with energy and waste management proposals being among a plethora of proposals to be submitted to the Ministry for Investments. Indeed, Minister for Financial Services and Investments Ryan Pinder is also to be commended as he has met with representatives from various sectors of the economy to garner their input relative to the WTO offering and the negotiating process.

Lastly, I must give kudos to BEC Chairman Leslie Miller who has simply been phenomenal. Mr Miller has adamantly sought to reduce the cost of electricity, unnecessary wastage and overages. Say what you may about Leslie Miller, but he is Christie’s hardest worker—a kind of “best minister” who is not in the Cabinet.

And now, to my grade.....Thus far, the government has been underachieving. That said, one must account for economic and societal factors, even as I consider their pie-in-the-sky election promises. So far, the governing party earns a D grade for their first 13 months in office.

There’s much to be done and one hopes that this government truly understands the monumental chore at hand and that no one is delighting in their ministerial/governmental statuses, overly enjoying Dairy Queen Blizzards and taking long strolls on easy street. If so, come 2017, the governing party will have lots of ‘splainin to do!