The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage yesterday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to passing the four Constitutional Amendment Bills, there is still uncertainty over this time line and when the proposed referendum will be held.

He updated parliamentarians yesterday on the delayed bills, but did not shed any light on when Bahamians could expect the constitutional amendments to be passed in the lower chamber.

Dr Nottage suggested that the bills had not progressed because of the Free National Movement’s convention which is to happen this Friday.

He said hopefully by then, conditions would be more conducive to hold consultations with opposition members.

However, East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest objected, saying the convention in no way affected the movement of the bills. He said the opposition is always ready to tackle the business of the country.

Dr Nottage said: “We in the government remain determined, with the support of the opposition, to see this principle of equality reflected as a golden thread in the constitutional fabric of our commonwealth.

“When I last addressed this honourable House on this, I indicated that further dialogue was to be had with those members of the House, particularly in the opposition, who might still be having difficulty with (some) of the bills, specifically bill four.

“Since that time, of course, distracting events have been unfolding; events that will, however, have run their course by this weekend, after which there is every reason to believe that conditions will be more conducive to consultation with the relevant opposition members on the outstanding issues.”

Dr Nottage said he was not criticising the FNM but pinpointing that the Constitutional Commission was reluctant to engage opposition members at a time when they were distracted by internal matters.

In the meantime, Dr Nottage said the commission’s public education programme, especially in the Family Islands and with religious, civic, business and social groups, continues. The programme will be expanded early next year, he said.

The anticipated constitutional referendum was postponed until 2015 from November 6, because of confusion and push back to the bills.

Prime Minister Perry Christie had initially set the constitutional referendum for June 2013 but later changed the date to November 2013. He later said the constitutional bills would be brought to Parliament before the end of 2013 and passed in February 2014.

However, he then said the referendum would take place before the end of June 2014. That deadline was not met and in July, Mr Christie announced the vote would take place in November.