DAYS after a recent crime advisory was issued by the United States Embassy in Nassau regarding alleged sex attacks against Americans by Jet Ski operators, Minister of Works Philip Davis advised Straw Market vendors to “count the cost” and understand the consequences of their actions.
He spoke at the Straw Market Authority’s breakfast meeting at the Crab House and Seafood Emporium on Collins Avenue yesterday.
Mr Davis, deputy prime minister, said the event’s theme ‘All a We is One’ is a reminder that “we are all apples in a barrel” and one bad fruit can spoil the whole lot.
“It just takes ‘one a we’ to do something terrible to one of the tourists,” he told the straw vendors. “The next thing you would have is another advisory coming from the American Embassy that says don’t go in Nassau Straw Market. Do we understand what all that means? It takes all of us to make this work and it only takes one of us to make it not work.”
He also urged the vendors to embrace the power of love.
“Sometimes, as leaders, because we have power and control we fall in love with the fact that we control and that we are powerful. What dominates us is what I call this love of power that is destructive and undermines this concept ‘All a we are one.’ What makes all of us one is not the love of power but the power of love,” he said.
Mr Davis also encouraged the vendors to help build the economy.
“There is tremendous talent among the Bahamian people. We therefore encourage vendors to go back to basics and offer more Bahamian-made products in the Straw Market. This is your Bahamas. Help it grow.”
Arnold Forbes, minister of state in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, called on the vendors to take their positions of strength and pride seriously.
“Today you should stand proud because you are the nucleus of what a Bahamian family is. You are the leaders of this country and this community. You carry much weight. Use it to your benefit, your advantage and to the betterment of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said Mr Forbes.
Comments
DillyTree 8 years, 10 months ago
Good advice, Mr. DP. All too often I hear tales of visitors to the straw market who leave in disgust at the filth and aggressiveness of the vendors. I have witnessed tourists being threatened by a vendor who was annoyed that they had purchased from a nearby vendor and not her. She pounded her fist into her hand while making rude and threatening remarks to them as they fled back to their ship. What message does that send to our visitors?
While most vendors are extremely polite and helpful, there is a sizeable minority who should either learn to interact with manners and grace, or should not be allowed in the market. They do a great disservice to us all. And government needs to own this as well. Send decoys in if you have to so you can see how visitors are being treated and get rid of the rotten apples.
Clamshell 8 years, 10 months ago
Happened to me. I looked at a vendor's items, decided not to buy, and she began to loudly curse and insult me. It was very embarrassing. I quietly left the building and have never returned. When friends and family visit me, I advise them to avoid the place.
GrassRoot 8 years, 10 months ago
"He also urged the vendors to embrace the power of love", yep al that's left as DPM and his gang already took all the "love for power". The DPM should now also talk to the cab drivers, the store owners on bay street, the fishing operators, etc.
John 8 years, 10 months ago
GERMANY had over 200 (Two Hundred) sexual assaults on New Year's Eve.
TruePeople 8 years, 10 months ago
I don't think want happened in Germany is relevant to this... that was some sort of Rapist / Middle-eastern Migrant Riot.... crazy world
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