The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE leader of a fringe political party has called on Bahamians to stand with her in Rawson Square today in protest against what she believes to be another country’s “strategic move” to take control of the economy of the Bahamas.

Ali McIntosh, “chief servant leader” of the Bahamas Constitution Party, released a statement yesterday on Prime Minister Perry Christie’s response to unconfirmed reports concerning alleged requests for concessions by Chinese investors to jumpstart the stalled $3.5billion Baha Mar resort on Cable Beach.

Allegations were made by radio talk show host Steve McKinney, who claimed that China Construction America (CCA), Baha Mar’s general contractor, has requested that the resort’s current developer Sarkis Izmirlian not be involved with the project, a 30-year exclusivity with regards to its casino licence, a 30-year value added tax exemption, a 25 per cent increase in concessions currently enjoyed by the resort, and the granting of 500 citizenships to Chinese nationals attached to the project in various capacities.

Mr Christie, on Monday night, described it as an “absolute lie” that citizenship in return for foreign investment had been agreed, saying that was a “non-negotiable position” for his government.

However, the other aspects of the reports were not addressed as Mr Christie said he would speak in Parliament during his 2016-2017 Budget Communication today.

Notwithstanding the Prime Minister’s assurances, Ms McIntosh yesterday contended that any deal with CCA and China Export Import Bank “is a strategic move to take control of the economy of the Bahamas”.

“The Parliament of the Bahamas will meet for the start of the 2016-2017 Budget Communication,” she said. “Prime Minister Perry Christie will speak. I will stand in Rawson Square to demand that he speaks truth to all that we have heard and that the government does not entertain these demands that involves the strategic move of China against our Bahamaland,” she said, urging other concerned citizens to join her.

“If we do not stand up now, we may never have a chance to stand again.”

Mr McKinney revealed the contents of a purported letter addressed to Mr Christie from CCA during a recent segment of his “Hard Copy” talk show on Peace 107.5FM.

Recordings of Mr McKinney’s show have since gone viral on social media, fuelling speculation that the Christie administration was attempting to kick-start the mega resort this year at any cost.

The Tribune understands that Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson and the Prime Minister’s senior policy adviser Sir Baltron Bethel travelled to China at the weekend to discuss the shuttered resort.

Meanwhile, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has called on the government to be transparent about Baha Mar negotiations.