Loretta Butler-Turner in the House of Assembly.
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
LONG Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday criticised the government, saying at a time when the unopened Baha Mar resort has caused a “tailspin”, the Christie administration has turned to lashing out at those who are critical of its “ineptness” and inability to resolve the matter.
As a result of the Baha Mar impasse, the country faces the prospect of a deep recession and record high unemployment, the former FNM deputy leader said in a press statement.
She added that at this critical juncture, both the resort’s developer Sarkis Izmirlian and the government need to tone down the rhetoric and come to an agreement that works in the best interest of Bahamians.
The statement came a day after Labour Minister Shane Gibson accused her of “rank hypocrisy” following her calls for his resignation over comments he made in protest of Mr Izmirlian.
On Tuesday, Mr Gibson said the Long Island MP was a Cabinet minister when former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham criticised Robin Hood owner Sandy Schaefer, an American investor. He said Mrs Butler-Turner sat in silence at that time and therefore does not have the track record to chastise him or anyone in government.
“With the Progressive Liberal Party unable to bring the Baha Mar matter to a timely conclusion in the interest of the workers,” Mrs Butler-Turner said, “as well as in the interest of the economy in general, the government is in a tailspin, lashing out at those who are critical of its ineptness, blunders and inability thus far to resolve a matter which threatens an economic meltdown.
“The country faces the prospect of a deep recession and record high unemployment, including layoffs by businesses that have completed certain work at Baha Mar or by Bahamians who have contracts and/or leases for various businesses at the resort.
“To avoid taking responsibility for its gross mismanagement of the Baha Mar crisis, the government is creating smokescreens such as the Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell engaging in belligerent rhetoric and breaking into song in Parliament.
“Because of the principle of collective responsibility, his reckless comments must clearly reflect the thinking of the Cabinet and the prime minister, who has failed to get his foreign minister to choose his words more wisely and to tone down his wild statements.”
Mrs Butler-Turner has also called for Mr Mitchell’s resignation after he publicly warned Mr Izmirlian that his permanent resident status could be revoked. Mr Mitchell also said the developer should consider living elsewhere if he could not conform to the expected conduct of “economic guests.”
Mrs Butler-Turner reminded the Christie administration that it was its members who chose the Baha Mar developer. She agreed that foreign investors should respect offices of the state while at the same time saying that Cabinet ministers should act responsibly.
“They went to him (Mr Izmirlian), asked him to do this project, gave him generous concessions and heaped praise on him. Now they are lashing out at the very one they chose and encouraged to invest hundreds of millions to develop the resort.
“Foreign investors need to respect the sovereignty and the offices of state of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Likewise Cabinet ministers must protect the interests of the Bahamas and their offices by acting in a responsible and considered manner that does not risk the good name of the country and future investments in the country.”
She pointed to comments last week by Mr Gibson that foreign investors may need to undergo psychological examinations before they do business in this country, calling the remarks “juvenile”.
“One can only imagine, for example, how potential and current investors around the world may view his reckless and ridiculous comments, which may harm foreign direct investment, including jobs for Bahamians, whom he supposedly should care about as Labour Minister. Instead his comments may cause future jobs. Words have consequences.
“It is just another glaring example how Mr Gibson has brought ill-repute to the country’s reputation and good name,” Mrs Butler Turner said.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 4 months ago
is just another glaring example how Mr Gibson has brought ill-repute to the country’s reputation and good name,” Mrs Butler Turner said.
She's got that right, can't think of another cabinet minister other than Mr Pindling who's name has been associated worldwide with scandal.
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
Excellent news release from Mrs.Butler Turner. Let us hope that the verbal onslaught from our friends in The Opposition produces some kind of tangible ACTION.
Chucky 9 years, 4 months ago
She pointed to comments last week by Mr Gibson that foreign investors may need to undergo psychological examinations before they do business in this country, calling the remarks “juvenile”.
I'd have to agree with Mr Gibson on that one; anybody who plans to invest in the Bahamas should have a thorough head examination, as nobody of sound mind would invest here. This is a banana republic if there ever was one.
How long until we are a completely failed state with 300 murders a year?
How long until the mass exodus of foreign home owners begins?
John 9 years, 4 months ago
The facts are that the government never expected Bah Mar to come to a squeeching halt as it did so they were not prepared for the revelations about the improprieties and conflicts of interest at the project. When Izmirilian lashed out at the government apparently he had already gone through a whol lot and apparently he couldn't take any more. Now that it is more apparent that the government is siding with the Chinese and apparently had a move afoot to oust him from the project, Izmirilian has taken a defensive stance that makes a resumption of the constructions do completion of the project even more difficult. Obviously he no longer trusts the China Construction Company. He is weary of the China Bank and his opinion of the Bahamian government has gone from that of frustration to that of complete distrust and disappointment. So he continues to hold on to his bankruptcy filings and lawsuits as a lifeline. He is protecting his family interest in what has become a hostile and suspicious environment. The government seems prepared to see him walk away with nothing Rather than run for cover or admit to their wrongdoings, the government is posturing and making everyone else out to be the bad guys . In the main time, $3.5 billion sits baking in the sun, thousands of jobs are insecure, the Bahamian economy is depressed and the world is watching.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 4 months ago
STAY ON POINT! ALLYSON MAYNARD-GIBSON MUST BE MADE TO RESIGN FOR HAVING WANTONLY IGNORED HER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND HER MISCONDUCT MUST BE PROPERLY INVESTIGATED. Why has Sarkis Izmirlian or Baha Mar not submitted a formal complaint to the Bahamas Bar Association if Maynard-Gibson's law firm did in fact serve as legal counsel for either of them at any time during the period 2001 to 2007 in connection with any matter involving the development project? This evil greedy woman who nominated herself to be appointed a "Queen's Counsel" (QC) has practically run that time honoured lofty professional designation right into the ground - she should be stripped of it and possibly barred from practicing law!
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
Who controls The Bahamas Bar Association?
Reality_Check 9 years, 4 months ago
It doesn't matter who controls The Bahamas Bar Association - the complaint should be formally submitted if supported by the facts, if only to get it on record that one was filed.
asiseeit 9 years, 4 months ago
A wild animals instinct is to lash out when backed into a corner. This government is wild, out of control, and most certainly not a friend of ALL Bahamian people (just their minions). The damage has been done yet in their lust for power they see not what damage they do.
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
If the government feels cornered, look for signs of verbal outbursts, discord, and naming and blaming amongst themselves. That will be a sure sign that the wheels are coming off the government bus, and then wait and see who gets named as scapegoat and gets THROWN under the bus!
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
The jury is still out in Delaware! That verdict may expose the evil doers and then, perhaps, Mr. Izmirlian can get on with his development project.
TalRussell 9 years, 4 months ago
Comrades, I never knew Loretta was a pipe smokin woman and if not, what makes her to attempt to lead her reds chorus in politic playing. Where is her evidence that, there was anything but an ongoing positive relationship between the PM and Izmarlin, that is until he shook hands with the PM, then ran behind his back to file for bankruptcy protection?
What ounce of evidence does this woman have, that it was this PLP's lack of cooperation with Izmarlin that resulted in an unopened Baha Mar?
Is it not a fact, that izmarlin's tailspin into bankruptcy had nothing to do the Bahamaland's government? Is she forgetting that despite all the millions of dollars of taxpayers lands and other handouts granted to izmarlin by Papa Hubert, the project was doomed to failure, long before the public squabbles originated by none other than Izmarlin to cover up as own blunders. it is absurd that a woman professing such leadership intelligence, could be so misleading. Shocking this wanna-be red leader, would be publicly advocating for Bahamland's taxpayers, to step in to act as the social services saviour to a man, claiming to have so many billions, he would afford to wals away from his investment in Baha Mar?
Please Loretta, present Tribune readers with just one piece of evidence that will pass the truth sniff test, that anyone but Izmarlin is the Baha Bar problem? As a businesswoman's familiar with the power of a bank, she should know that the Chinese bank, can move to take full possession of Baha Mar and it does not need a Delaware judge, or Izmarlin's permission, to so act.
Emac 9 years, 4 months ago
I nominate madam Loretta Butler-Turner for leader of the opposition.
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
Well_Mudda_Take_Sic: While AMG has admitted that her husband, daughters and brother have benefited from Baha Mar transactions, the even bigger and more vulgar conflict, yet to be confirmed, is that Perry Christie's son, Steffan Christie, perhaps behind the scene and cover of Cross and Mosko Real Estate and Development Company, where he is listed by the Bahamas Real Estate Association as being employed, may have benefited from a multi-million dollar contract to build swimming pools and waterways at Baha Mar. We understand that this was subcontracted to other company's with actual knowledge of this business. The recent Freudian Slip by the Prime Minister, at the groundbreaking of the CCA Hilton Pointe development, is remarkable, as he ( PGC ) references his good friend Jimmy ( sorry I spoke out of turn ) Mosko, having been awarded the development contract. It is a matter of record of course that Cross and Mosko Realty ( with Steffan Christie employed in the wings ) "assisted" CCA in its acquisition of the Hilton property. So, did Steffan's Daddy help with getting such a difficult transaction through the government bureaucracy ? Did Steffan's Daddy encourage any contract awards from Baha Mar, or CCA as Baha Mar's developer, to be given to Cross and Mosko Real Estate and Development Company ??? The AG conflict is bad enough but OMG the PM too ?????
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
Emac: I widya on LBT for leader. Call da conwentiun.
MonkeeDoo 9 years, 4 months ago
Steffan P. Christie Salesperson Cross & Mosko Real Estate and Dev. Co.
Nassau, New Providence License #28
Email: steffanchristie@gmail.com Website: http://www.crossandmosko.com/ Phone: (242) 362-4018 Fax: (242) 362-4081 Cell: (242) 424-7737
arussell 9 years, 4 months ago
We seem to always follow behind our neighbors (USA) so in saying that, FNM's need to appoint Mrs. Butler- Turner Leader as leader and just maybe like Hilary Clinton who appears to be the next President of USA. A woman as leader just might be what this country needs
Thinker 9 years, 4 months ago
Omg. Please don't compare people because they have female private parts or vote for them for such a reason. So dumb.
Economist 9 years, 4 months ago
LTB is a much more effective spokes person for the FNM than Minnis.
Wideawake 9 years, 4 months ago
Didn't' the LTB faction of the FNM twice try to have her elected as leader, and didn't they fail miserably on both occasions, thanks to the FNM Council and Dr. Minnis's "organizational skills"??
Emac 9 years, 4 months ago
Well the people of the Bahamas will have the final say. If Dr. Minnis is still leader of FNM in 2017, my X gern on the green team, it is as simple as that.
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