The Tribune

YESTERDAY Prime Minister Christie attended the breaking of ground to launch the construction of China Construction America’s $250 million luxury Pointe development on the site of the Sheraton British Colonial Hotel in downtown Bay Street.

It was interesting that this development— which CCA Chairman Ning Yuan was proud to point out was different from other projects in the Bahamas because it was solely owned by his company – will be finished on time. Those attending the ceremony left with the impression that if Baha Mar were solely under the control of Mr Yuan’s company it too would be finished. Maybe as pieces to this complicated jig-saw puzzle gradually fall into place Bahamians will probably conclude that this was always the intended plan for the land grab of Baha Mar.

“CCA will be the sole investor, developer and contractor for The Pointe project,” said Mr Yuan, the first such acquisition for his company in the Caribbean. “This will allow us to directly translate our commitment and vision for this entertainment destination to the Bahamian people. It

will also ensure that The Pointe is completed on time and according to the highest standards,” Mr Yuan added.

Meanwhile, Baha Mar, which CCA — it was claimed at the time — promised would be finished and opened before the construction company turned its attention to its own downtown development, remains in lock down – its future uncertain.

In the shadows are Bahamian businessmen, owners of much of the frontage of the Bay Street waterfront, seemingly cast aside as not important in their own hometown. They have remarked at the speed at which this China state-owned company got its building and environmental compliance permits. Meanwhile former deputy prime minister Brent Symonette has complained that he can’t even get an appointment to discuss his plans with his prime minister — but by jingo, China has its permits and is well on its way! As a matter of fact when Prime Minister Christie’s Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell – who fancies himself as an ambassador, but is yet to know the meaning of the word – was told by Mr Symonette that his comments about Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian were inappropriate and sent the wrong message to foreign investors, Mr Mitchell told him to keep his advice to himself. According to Mr Mitchell Mr Symonette was to ”go hide under the rock from whence he came”. All said in Mr Mitchell’s best ambassadorial language, which is reserved for anyone who gets in his way. Speaking at yesterday’s ceremony, Mr Christie hoped that his friend Jimmy Mosko was listening, because Mr Mosko would be the Bahamian contractor who would be involved in the Bay Street development.

However, apparently Mr Christie’s Chinese friends had not kept him fully in the loop. When pressed afterwards to elaborate on this remark, the Prime Minister had to draw in his breath and admit that he spoke too soon.

“Apparently it was not Mosko, not yet,” Mr Christie said. “I guessed but they told me no, they had not made a decision. What they will do is hire a Bahamian contractor to hire labour and subcontract.” Another fronting exercise?

Poor Mr Christie. We hope he soon finds his way out of this complicated morass of double dealing.

And maybe while he is about it he can enlighten us as to what his senior policy adviser was up to when he contacted a New York lawyer and suggested that a new equity partner with hotel and casino experience be brought in to invest in Baha Mar as a way to secure the necessary financing to complete the project and get it open.

Sir Baltron Bethel, a memo claimed, had suggested that the idea be seen as coming from the China-Export Bank, rather than the Christie government to avoid any impression that the latter was trying to oust the Izmirlian family, who at least have resident status in the Bahamas and have been living here for many years.

Is this how a Bahamian government negotiates in good faith? This certainly sends out a jaundiced message to any future investor — caveat emptor (Buyer beware!) Is this the level to which our beautiful Isles of June have descended?

Today Mr Christie tries to distance himself from the inflammatory and disgraceful statements of two of his ministers - Immigration Minister Mitchell and Labour Minister Shane Gibson. Mr Mitchell has told Mr Izmirlian to conform, or get out of the country — in other words he must put a zipper on his lips and forget this is a democracy where Bahamians believe in free speech. And then, tripping over himself so as not to be undone, Shane Gibson has advised government to start performing “psychological evaluations” on all foreign developers seeking to do business in this country.

Instead of reacting immediately to this rubbish, Mr Christie dragged his feet, thus allowing “Big Bad Brad” to get into the mix and unleash even more stupidity today. If anyone needs psychological evaluation it is certainly these three men — the first two having badly debased the high positions which they presently hold.

Yesterday Mr Christie said that the statements made by Ministers Mitchell and Gibson against Mr Izmirlian — and in the case of both of them against all potential investors — were not sanctioned by him. However, there was a caveat — although he was not forewarned, he accepted their remarks.

“The ministers were reflecting their feelings,” Mr Christie said. “Most of the ministers who spoke said they were doing it because they were offended that there was disrespect to the Office of the Prime Minister. So my point is I accept that that’s what they said, I accept that that’s why they said it.

“But it was peculiar to them, and the government of the Bahamas is spoken for and on behalf of by myself in this particular matter and that’s the position I’m taking.”

Oh, no, Mr Christie, that’s the easy way out.

These men hold high office in the Bahamas government — the people’s government. They represent us and from the public reaction that we have had today — even our private telephone number has not stopped ringing — Bahamians feel let down and embarrassed. They are angry, they are ashamed and they want an apology.

They are tired of all of this tip-toeing around and double dealing. They want an apology and they want these men silenced.

The government in the person of the Prime Minister was invited to intercede in the Baha Mar talks ­— serious talks that affect the future of every Bahamian in this country. These ministers had no authority to interject themselves into those talks, cause confusion, thus diverting attention from the matter that was to be solved and turning it into a political brawl.

No, Mr Christie, this is not enough. If these ministers can silence others, then they too can be silenced. And we expect you to do it.

For the love of God, take control of this country — after all it was you who was elected Prime Minister in 2012. This is your responsibility. This embarrassment by members of your government must end.