By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
AGRICULTURE Minister V Alfred Gray branded as “disgraceful” comments from FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner who on Tuesday said appointing Leon Williams as the Bahamas Telecommunication Company’s new CEO is a step backward.
Yesterday, Mr Gray told Parliament that while he does not care for political affiliations, all citizens should hail the appointment and remain optimistic about the “Bahamianisation” of corporations.
Mr Williams previously served as the company’s CEO, before it was privatised, but was terminated in 2008 under the former Ingraham administration.
After an official announcement that he would return to lead BTC was released on Tuesday, Mrs Butler-Turner told The Tribune that she was doubtful that Mr Williams could lead the company successfully into a competitive market.
She raised alarm more than a month ago that he would replace Geoff Houston. Mr Houston took over BTC’s operations shortly after the Ingraham administration sold the majority stake in BTC to Cable & Wireless Communications in 2011.
Mr Gray said: “It is a disgrace when you look at the comments made by the deputy leader of the FNM.
“This is not personal. I am speaking about what she said, (that) Mr Williams’ appointment is a major step backward.”
Mr Gray questioned why Mrs Butler-Turner would say the appointment of another Bahamian to high office is a set back.
“I don’t know how Long Island could fix her face. . .I want to know how she is going to fix her mouth (to say that).”
While making his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said “justice was served” with Mr Williams’ appointment.
He said: “Bahamians now look to Mr Williams, who when he was there before knew what he was doing. Already the deputy (leader of the FNM) was in the press naysaying the appointment. The question Bahamians would want to ask is whether it is the official position of the party.”
Mr Mitchell said Mr Williams would have the full support of all representatives of the government.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
Why was the company staffed with twice as many persons as required in 2011? Why wasnt the company running like a well oiled machine ? How can Geoff Houston come in and within a single year double profits?
John 10 years, 4 months ago
I have explained to you how C&W was able to increase its profits andIt was not in a single year. Firstly they cut margins to wholesale and retail vendors from 25% from 9%. Based one a $140 million market, this alone resulted in $20 million in net profits. Secondly data on phones was not available when Williams was at BTC. This probably generated at least $5 million in revenue per year for the company. C&W also consolidated much of its services and coupled its buying power with its other companies resulting in savings. It also outsourced some of its services. These options were not available to Leon Williams as was the overstaffing a political decision and not a management one. The dropped calls also created additional revenue for BTC under Geoff Houston where a customer had to dial the party 3 and four times to complete a conversation. This pushed the call from 20 cents a minute to up to $1.00, at least for the first minute. BTC did increase its phone sales under Houston but if you think service is bad in New Providence check the cell service on some of the family islands. Employee morale was high under Geoff Houston, but was at its highest in recent times under Leon Williams. Like we support our top athletes in world competition, lets support Mr. Williams and hope this opens doors for other Bahamians to hold CEO positions at this level.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
Give me a break, phone card sales were a relatively recent service offered by BTC, what accounts for the relatively low profits pre service? I'd be happy too if I was being paid a high salary with crazy benefits and could show up to work one hour per day. Let's not gloss over what BTC was in the "good old days", sweetheart/constituency member employment agency and contract giveaway service, all under Mr Williams' watchful eyes, and EVERYBODY knows it.
John 10 years, 4 months ago
Obviously you are letting your emotions get the better of you. Phone card sales has been a part of BTC since pre-paid cell service was offered more than a decade ago. Remember Leon Williams still has to answer to Cable and Wireless now, in addition to the government as the second largest shareholder. Rather than anticipating his failure, let us hope that he does not be undermined by political cronies and the he out performs Geoff Houston, or, in the least, get the cellular service back to where you can talk for half a minute, without the call being dropped. Then of course competition is coming.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 4 months ago
Lets see what will unfold at BTC over the next year under Williams .......... please dont pre-judge .............. History will be the best judge of the 2008 firing of Williams by HAI vs PLP support for him on TWO separate occasions.
At least now, BTC is a private company that is part of an international conglomerate ...... not a quasi-government company at the unbridled mercy of the political directorate
DillyTree 10 years, 4 months ago
Well, Mrs. Butler-Turner called it, didn't she? And look what came to pass. Speaking of disgraceful, Mr Gray should fix his own face and mouth instead of parroting the party line.
This is more of the PLP and Mr. Christie's foolish pride and hubris that lets the BTC issue continue to make fools of them for the fools that actually believe that they ever owned a stake in BTC in the first place. Were any of us getting dividends for our shares in the company? How exactly did the Bahamian people have any stake? And only those fools believe that Williams is anything but a shadow puppet to appease those who want to see their beloved Perry put a Bahamian back in charge. Who is fool enough to believe this? Does anyone actually believe that Williams will have any say in the day to day business of BTC? He has a desk and a chair. Period.
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