The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Welcome to the Banana Republic of The Bahamas – a nation 40 years into its independence, yet continues to wallow in Third World status. We are one of the very few countries in the world that would allow a person to head a government funded multi-million dollar corporation, despite owing the said corporation nearly a quarter million dollars. Only in The Bahamas.

Like hundreds of other readers of the June 17 edition of The Nassau Guardian, I was surprised after reading that BEC Chairman Leslie Miller owes the cash strapped corporation a whopping $239,533.33.

To his credit, Miller did acknowledged that his two companies owe BEC money, but he didn’t divulge the amount owed. Neither did he deny the sum that The Nassau Guardian claims he owes, however. Whatever the case may be, Miller’s admission is indeed a startling claim.

As BEC chairman, Miller is reported be to earning a six-figure salary. I remember reading in the dailies before his appointment as the chair of BEC in 2012 that he had an outstanding bill that was in the hundreds of thousands. But Prime Minister Perry Christie still went ahead and appointed him BEC chairman anyway.

A common man owes BEC $200 and his power is cut off. Miller owes BEC a tidy sum and yet gets to head the corporation on a salary on or above a staggering $100,000 with handsome perks. Man, you just cannot make this up!

In assessing Christie’s laissez-faire attitude regarding the BEC matter, one can perhaps safely postulate that he simply doesn’t care. It is pointless beating up our gums and demanding that Miller resign. In the final analysis, he isn’t going anywhere. As noted above, Miller’s admission that he owes BEC money is a startling claim.

The second one is Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s claim that 30,000 Bahamians who were not employed before May 2012 are now gainfully employed today. So in essence, Gibson is claiming that an average of 15,000 jobs were added to the economy in the first two years of his government. When one factors into consideration the national jobless rate, which is about 15 per cent, Gibson’s revelation is not only startling, but utterly mind boggling. At this rate, when 2017 rolls around, Gibson and co will be telling the Bahamian people that they had created 45,000 jobs in five years. And some people will believe them.

Another startling claim made by this government was an explanation given by Christie for backpedaling on his promise to abide by the results of the 2013 gambling referendum. If I’m interpreting National Review correctly, Christie’s reason for going against the wishes of the Bahamian electorate is that the numbers boys have established a quasi mortgage banking industry involving millions of dollars. How regulating the web shops will put an end to this illegal banking practice is anyone’s guess. Needless to say, Christie’ explanation still lacks clarity.

All the above makes for good fodder. You cannot make these things up.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama,

June 17, 2014.