Branville McCartney
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Democratic National Alliance has renewed its calls for the government to invest more in technology, adding that the Bahamas should adopt the advanced “border patrol technologies” of first world countries in order to protect its borders from illegal activities.
The statement of DNA leader Branville McCartney comes after the government tabled a Bill in Parliament to borrow $232m to purchase nine new Defence Force vessels that are expected to help the Defence Force in its operations.
Mr McCartney said: “On the surface, the idea to purchase more boats may seem like a good one; however there are some questions which need to be considered. Is adding to the country’s already substantial financial burden in the best interest of the country at this time? Particularly if the monies borrowed are being funnelled into vessels which over time will deteriorate in value? Would that money not be better spent by investing in technologies which will have significant and longer term benefits for the country?”
“Successive administrations have sadly ignored the major advancements in border patrol technologies currently being employed by first world nations in favour of the same vessel intensive tactical methods the Bahamas has used for the past 40 years.”
Mr McCartney acknowledged that the Defence Force has long lacked manpower and has been in need of equipment and facility upgrades.
He said: “While the Democratic National Alliance is not fully discounting the effectiveness of active vessel patrol vessels, it must be noted that as with all other sectors of today’s modern world, the use of technology can and must become an integral part of the plans of any responsible government in addressing the needs of its residents.
“For more than 40 years, illegal immigrants, human and drug smugglers and poachers have managed to evade any number of Defence Force vessels patrolling our expansive marine borders. The time has come for the government to immediately rethink its strategy in favour of a more progressive and technology driven approach. Doing so would yield long-term benefits for our archipelagic nation,” he said.
Comments
PastorTroy 10 years, 8 months ago
Sounds like a great idea! Technology is most definitely the way to go, but when the politicians who make the final decision and their crony's are from the 70's and still operate with 1973 mentality how can we make this happen? Pay foreigners to operate it after getting their cut under -the-table? That said I hope the persons 'behind the monitors' will not be the same as the ones currently and shamelessly monitoring the criminals electronic ankle bracelets in The Bahamas. SMH, Exasperating!
newcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago
I really doubt most of the leading politicians in this country even know how to use email. Getting them behind current technologies, even with under the table kickbacks would be an almost impossible task.
nassauboy 10 years, 8 months ago
"... Mr McCartney acknowledged that the Defence Force has long lacked manpower and has been in need of equipment and facility upgrades. ... "
Sounds like the Bahamas got plenty people know how to use a gun. So me thinks, maybe make a mandatory 2 year service to your country in a defence force boot camp. This way ya get to shoot ya gun off as much as ya want, serve your country, and cut down on the people in jail.
:-)
TheMadHatter 10 years, 8 months ago
Maybe after the year 2000 arrives our Govt will consider that Mr. McCartney. You are too far ahead of the curve to be relevant, however, at this time.
The current strategy is to aid and assist vessels from the south in their quest to reach Nassau by providing a free towing service from the southern islands into our capital city.
Hang on, my secretary is handing me the phone with what she says is an urgent call - something about "... the year 2000 has already passed ..." I can't believed it. Let me check and get back to you.
TheMadHatter
TalRussell 10 years, 8 months ago
Good acting job Comrade Bran for you to pretend how you is all new to the illegal immigration scene. Comrades isn't it too bad while we know what Bran, Bran "the advocate for public flogging" be talk'in ever since he own Bamboo Town constituents (whose knows him the best of all we) rejected him at the 2012 Genera Election polls, he talk nothing about how he whist the "junior minister" for immigration, would be adopting the advanced “border patrol technologies,” cause had he, the Crown's current "substantive" minister Freddy for immigration would already be taking advantage of these same hereto advance technologies left in place by the former junior immigration minister. You'll get my point?
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 8 months ago
Hate to say this but I agree with Bran. No need to spend a hundred or so million ion new boats, half of which draw too much water for our banks. Invest in technology, you can spot an illegal fishing boat from space and send out a small fast interceptor. These boats are going to sit at PG dock the day they arrive and they will never leave the dock. Just like the ones we have now.
jackbnimble 10 years, 8 months ago
Hasn't anyone figured it out yet? This Government is incapable of coming up with any unique or new ideas. They just piggy-back on the same old stuff even when it obviously does not work. No thinking for them outside of the box. Oh no. That's just too much!
TalRussell 10 years, 8 months ago
Comrade GneralCrazy while others could see how you came by your name, regardless I like you as a good and "stable think'in" Comrade.
BahamianAway 10 years, 8 months ago
While better technology may assist the Defence Force in patrolling Bahamian waters, I can say with strong conviction that will not solve the problem.
The problem lies in these corrupt officers who see being on the Defence Force as an opportunity to cash in on the illegal operations of drug and human trafficking. You mean to tell me that we don't have enough assets readily available to properly patrol the waters. I think not... What we have is officers turning a blind eye because they have been paid a little something to allow the drugs and illegal immigrants to slip by.
If they were doing proper patrols I can't see how a 100ft vessel loaded with Haitians by-passes all the southern islands and finds it way to Nassau. Either these immigrants know Bahamian waters better than the Defence Force, or they are using the good old blind eye.
Go ahead and upgrade the Defence Force but while they are at it weed out all these corrupt officers. That might help with drug interdiction and human trafficking.
Supervillian 10 years, 8 months ago
What needs to happen is this present government and governments prior, need to get their heads out the hole they sit on and move forward with the everchanfing time. I'm sure all of you watched the debate between Barak Obama when he said that the United States Army maybe be less in numbers these days but they also have less horses and bayonets. Come on people, I don't consider myself a genius, but why is it that none of our armed forces are equipt with a helicopter for patrolling purposes. For one, Helicopters can fly at an alarming rate and can cover further distances far more faster than any boat out there. Two, they are cost effective with lower maintenance and can accomidate multi-role platforms. This can include search and rescue, air ambulance, prevent drug intrudiction efforts, and border patrol for imigration purposes. Thirdly their cost is far less and will benefit this vast archipelago way better than these proposed dingys they plan on spending over 200m for. There is a company in Texas called American Eurocopter than can facilitate all the needs that these Bahamian islands need. What I see is the puchase of two search and rescue helicopters. One located on New Providence and the other based in Inagua. This way, while patrolling, they can radio the slower Defense Force boats where to intercepet these vessels. One also needs to be purchased for the police force to combat the criminal elements on the island of New Providence. Come to think of it, why don't they purchase one for the damn hospital as well. Why build a multi-million dollar facility and not have a heli-pad for emergency purposes. Come on people, we smarter than this. I guarantee you for all these helicopters I mentioned, it won't even run the taxpayers into 150m, and that includes pilot and maintenance crew training.
BahamianAway 10 years, 8 months ago
You are speaking as though the government give a squat about how they spend the Bahamian taxpayers money. That would be a smart idea to invest in helicopters and the training of Bahamians to operate them. But why would they do that- we have to maintain our third world status. Heaven forbid we step forward and make proper changes.
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