The Tribune

BISHOP Simeon Hall has hit out against some “politically motivated clergymen” and others who, he said, are praying for Baha Mar’s failure because of their disdain for the Christie administration.

In a statement released on the weekend, the pastor emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church said people should separate their political persuasion from the higher desire of the country’s development.

“Some Bahamians, including some politically motivated clergymen, are so bitter against the Christie-led government that they are literally praying for a ‘national crop failure,’” Bishop Hall’s statement said.

“Who one voted for previously or who one plans to vote for in the next election should have no bearing on praying for the success of investments already made in the country. Some things ought to transcend our personal politics. We must learn to separate our support for party from the higher desire for the country’s development.

“Baha Mar is nearly completed; three to five thousand Bahamians’ livelihood hangs in the balance. We should not pray for failure. Political tribalism, fuelled by both political parties, has contributed to some Bahamians placing support for party far above praying for investments in the country to succeed.

“Whether or not Baha Mar ought to have been allowed to be built in the first place is not and cannot any longer be relevant,” Bishop Hall added. “We do expect the government of the Bahamas – democratically elected by the majority of the Bahamian people – to protect the national interest of all Bahamians and to disclose relevant, non-sensitive information regarding issues of national interest.

“To allow our personal political biases to stop us from praying for the overall good of the country is wrong, retrogressive and unpatriotic.”

Last Monday, during a nationally televised press conference, Prime Minister Perry Christie said a deal had been reached between the government and the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) to remobilise the stalled resort.

He said work was to begin in September with the resort expected to open before the end of the 2016/2017 winter season.

Under the terms of the agreement announced by Mr Christie, CEXIM has committed to fund all remaining construction costs to complete the project.

Additionally, China Construction America (CCA) would resume and complete construction, and then sell the property to a “world-class hotel and casino operator.”

Moreover, Bahamian contractors still owed money will receive a significant part, if not all, of their claims, while thousands of former Baha Mar employees will receive outstanding amounts due to them, he said.

However, Mr Christie stopped short of naming the operator who would buy the resort once completed. He did not take questions at the press conference.

It was subsequently revealed that the Supreme Court sealed the documents relating to the Baha Mar deal, reportedly at the request of the government and CEXIM.

Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has said the Official Opposition is “shocked and dismayed” that the court documents were sealed, adding that should the party become the next government, it would cancel parts of the agreement it found to be against the best interests of Bahamians.

Last Thursday, Mr Christie said there is “nothing secret” about Baha Mar and that lawyers have instructed him not to divulge relevant details because of the sensitivity of the matter and the amount of money being transacted among parties.