By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis stressed yesterday that the proposal for a partnership with the Chinese for development of agriculture and fisheries in Andros was not before the government for consideration.
But while he later criticised media reports about the proposal, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries V Alfred Gray yesterday said that such a plan could be a “good thing” for the country because Bahamians generally “lack interest” in the agriculture industry.
He also admitted that he told newly appointed Chinese ambassador Paul Gomez that he could discuss the proposal with “interested investors”.
Both men were responding to a report in The Nassau Guardian on Tuesday, which stated that the government had given the “green light” to its embassy in Beijing to further pursue such a partnership.
Despite the denials from the government, the report prompted Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday to criticise Prime Minister Perry Christie for his “deafening” silence on the matter.
It is not the first time he has raised concern on this issue. In July, while speaking at a rally at Christie Park, Dr Minnis said the government was negotiating with the Chinese for 10,500 acres of land in Andros.
The proposal reportedly projects a $2.1 billion injection into the local economy over ten years through an equal partnership between Bahamians and the People’s Republic of China. According to the report, the proposed partnership will entail the incorporation of 100 companies, with the agricultural products and seafood to be used for local consumption, and exported to China and the United States for sale. The proposal also reportedly includes the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.
Mr Davis said: “No such matter is with government for consideration.”
He noted that such an initiative would pose a conflict with the efforts of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI).
In a statement yesterday, Mr Gray called the report “utterly false”. “The government is not considering the grant of Crown land nor any other matter as set out in the article,” the statement added.
However speaking to reporters before the statement was released, Mr Gray said the Bahamas ambassador to China approached his ministry to see if it was okay to enter into discussions about Chinese investments in fisheries, factories and agricultural pursuits.
“I felt as minister that was a good thing if we could get them to invest in agriculture because agriculture is one of the industries in the Bahamas where Bahamians seem to lack interest generally speaking,” Mr Gray said. “Our food security problem is such that if you have to pay $900 million for food from outside the country, any investment in the Bahamas in agriculture and agricultural pursuits as long as it does not compete with Bahamians who basically have no general interest in farming at any large scale, I thought it was a good discussion to have. I know of his interest in opening that discussion.”
However he stressed that there was no proposal on the government’s table.
“There is no proposal from the Chinese to the government, of which I know, there is no response to the Chinese government or investors, of which I know, the Prime Minister (Perry Christie) doesn’t know so we don’t know. I don’t know what this is about.”
Mr Gray added: “And anybody can make a proposal. I could propose to buy the prime minister’s office for $1.50, think I’ll ever get it?”
‘Secret deal’
However Dr Minnis insisted yesterday that the proposal was part of the “secret deal” Mr Christie negotiated with the Chinese to remobilise the Baha Mar resort.
Dr Minnis said: “The people have been asking for months what the embattled prime minister is going to give away as part of his secret Baha Mar deal and more and more, as we learn the truth, the harder it is to fathom that the PLP government had the Bahamian people’s best interest at heart as they negotiated this scheme.
“From fishing rights, and thousands of acres of lands being given away, to finding out the buyer is a Chinese company only because they stepped forward revealing that they are in negotiations to buy the resort.
“However, our embattled prime minister remains defiantly silent on the matter and his silence is deafening to the Bahamian people that simply want to know the truth.”
The Killarney MP said this “secret deal” that the prime minister “has made with his Chinese allies will destroy our agriculture and fishing industries.”
“The Chinese will be able to use the fish and agriculture produced on Crown land to make the Pointe and Baha Mar self sufficient and not reliant on other Bahamian goods. This will not help our suffering economy but rather hurt it even more,” he said.
“The people deserve a transparent and responsive government,” he said, “not the current secretive one that has been hiding their secret deals with their Chinese allies from the Bahamian people.”
FNM Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner also weighed in on the issue yesterday. In a statement, she said the “relevant facts on a proposal of this magnitude need to be assessed in a rational and deliberate manner”.
“The full proposal should be released and made available for review and debate by the general public and the House of Assembly. Again, it is essential that the scale and details of this large-scale proposal be fully disclosed,” she said.
“Transparency and accountability are imperative. The review of such a proposal must include discussions about the prevention of corruption.”
Comments
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
It goes without saying that allowing China to engage in exporting seafood and establishing fisheries should be out of the question. This would devastate Bahamian fish stocks and compete directly with local fishermen for market share. When you get in bed with a nuclear armed comunist government, you will always lose -- hands down.
ohdrap4 8 years ago
Make-Believe in Bahamians.
jackbnimble 8 years ago
Gray needs to sit small. The Guardian has his copy of a letter of approval in today's paper.
By the way, there's also a list of persons who are being naturalized (probably in time for election) floating around on Facebook. Couple Chinese names on the list.
Our birthright been sold!
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
BAMSI 2.0. It wouldn't be at all surprising if the private owners of BAMSI (I believe this has never been clarified) would also "generously" take 50% ownership of the 100 China funded companies. Why so many companies? Would these be shell companies perhaps? The PLP = Laundrymen. They are constantly creating elaborate structures to hang bribes and corruption on under the cloak and guise of legitimate enterprise. When will they STOP hustling and spend one minute of their time in office actually looking out for the wellfare of Bahamians, instead of their own. Their toolbox consists of secrecy and zero accountability.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
Alfred Gray always speaks in very polite tones pronouncing his T.H's correctly, but my God he must be an imbecile. From the shelter in the cave to Nygard is wonderful for the Bahamas, to no I didn't call the administrator, to yes Audley Hanna has insurance and look at all these wonderful bananas and now THIS???? Giving away 10,000 acres of Crown land to the Chinese is wonderful for the Bahamas. Is he crazy??? Did he stop to think about the fresh water supply in Andros for one second? Did he stop to think that Izmirilian just got screwed out of his majority share in Bahamar by the Chinese? Thats MAJORITY share, 50/50 is a joke. When these 100 companies get hit by a hurricane and they need financing to continue, will the bank or the government give it to them? Or will they have to give up more of their ownership to get capital? Did he think this through. I wonder what would be the legal test to prove that someone isn't stupid.
Also does ANYONE in their right mind believe this man took it upon himself to pursue a 3 billion dollar deal with the Chinese and no one in the cabinet ok'd it??? That fish stinks to high heaven. Reward Wells got strung out over 650,000. Grey needs to resign before he f's up something else
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
The greatest long term damage of illegal drugs and illegal gambling is it's allowed idiots to rise to the top
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
Having reviewed the letter from Minister Gray in some detail, I note the following: 1. The letter speaks to a FINAL DRAFT of the "Proposed China-Bahamas Agriculture and Fisheries Initiative" ("the Initiative"). It has been suggested that only preliminary, non-binding discussions have been held, but a final draft presupposes multiple and elaborate planning and drafting that is formal and final in nature. 2. Further, the letter is very specific with regard to details contained in the Initiative. It is not vague or contemplating. This is a hard and fast contractual offer to the Chinese Government with terms that are etched in stone down to the price of expenditure and share purchase and distribution. 3. The investment being asked for is 2.1 billion dollars; why not simply 2 billion dollars? Could it be the additional 100 million would be a finders fee? 4. Each of the 100 companies will have 10 shareholders, 5 Chinese and 5 Bahamian. How will the 5 lucky Bahamian shareholders in each company be selected?
bhilton 8 years ago
This whole thing makes my blood boil
banker 8 years ago
The next thing that you know, is that the Chinese Triad gangs will be operating here to gain a foothold to the lucrative American illicit drug demand.
An interesting scenario popped into conversation at last Wednesday's fried snapper and beer feast with the crowd. Suppose that we get in so deep with the Ho Lee Fook Ginks that it pisses off the Americans. Suppose the Yankees decide to retaliate with a slow down in trade with the Bahamas, and a less porous border. Suppose that we had to jump through hoops to do the WalMart stuff shopping trips. Suppose that there is a state export tax to the Bahamas levied by Florida. The cost of living will skyrocket.
This is serious shiite and the feces-for-brains cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Crisco Butt have no clue as to the long term ramifications of their actions. They don't realise that when the gorilla that they are playing with decides that it is no longer fun to participate, the PLP gang and the Bahamas are truly fooked.
Honestman 8 years ago
These jokers won't care two hoots - they will have their offshore accounts to fall back on.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
A few months ago, when BJ announced the "gift" of tanks and grenades, I remember telling a friend, those tanks are not for the protection of Bahamians. The Chinese are putting in place the groundwork for their own protection, I told them to watch, some announcement is coming that will be so egregious, the Chinese feel they will need protection. This is the start of it. It ain't over.
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
You're right. No way this is a one man show. Minister Gray is not alone in this. This is probably the cornerstone of the PM's platform. This is an entire Cabinet deal for sure.
The_Oracle 8 years ago
Yep, Just like Cable Bahamas was apparently an Entire Cabinet deal. Thing is the Chinese are here fishing already, down south of Ragged and Long Island, Defense force won't touch them supposedly. Processing mother ships. This access gives them free license to scrub the banks of everything edible for export. So Bahamians better eat their conch and snapper, Crawfish and Grunts now cause within a couple years the only fish they will see will come in plastic bags with Chinese writing!
Sickened 8 years ago
This is a VERY BAD idea!! VERY BAD!!! Did I say VERY BAD!!! I mean't VERY, VERY BAD!!!
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
The PLP are vomit inducing. When will they just go away and leave us in peace?
Honestman 8 years ago
May 2017
maryann 8 years ago
This is what happens when a leader of a Country has no grip and allows these men to run loose like cannons. Taking the people"s hard earned monies and distributing out to their cronies. Just the before hurricane Matthew he sent his Permanent Secretary and e few hand picked men and women to let the people of Acklins know that he will be changing date for the sailing event of the Acklins Regatta from August to April Ignoring the elected members of the Association for all long as he has being the minister responsible for that Ministry. This the man that always speaks in the public that people needs to work together but the very one who is causing the split and division. This man does what he wants and when he when,and nobody should question him full stop.
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrades! If all the Red Movement Party's Leader can only call for is a promise by the PLP government to provide more transparency over a "100 Years Fishing & Crown Lands Deal," what will they call for when to obtain a Voter's Card come the 2022 General Election, citizens will be required to recite the Constitution of their Bahamaland in full and in either one of the Chinese government's Mandarin or Cantonese official languages?
Minnis is asking for transparency by a government who has a long history hell bent on hiding from the public the information on deals made with foreigners. A 100 Years Crown Land Giveaway To the Chinese To be Lords and Masters Over- but not even a single acre Crown Land for the politically unconnected natives. A continuation of the Red Movement's Crown Lands policies.
Maybe better to spoil your voter’s ballot than to mark your ‘”X” for either of the two major political parties – both playing down the seriousness of a “100 years” fisheries deal with the Chinese government – all in the name of the people?
Comrade Bran, well done if your plan is close to having blown an election chance of a lifetime?
Didn’t the Red Movement take the exact “transparency stance” following the PLP’s outright dismal of the peoples referendum vote against the Numbers Houses?
The only differences the PLP and Red Movement hold on Kanavals, is one is calling for more transparency, not to shut them down over the $36 million in taxpayers moneys done wasted.
Yep, it would be so tempting not to spoil your 2017 General’s Ballot. But it is the most effective payback way to make it worth the standing in line on Election Day, to protest writes on your Voter’s Ballot - “Sorry, I Can’t Mark My “X” For None The Above SOB’s.”
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
The problem with giving away fisheries to the Chinese is that when we are devalued and our dollar is worth 35 cents, at least we can catch fish to stay alive. The PLP are literally selling Bahamians into starvation and extinction. I believe when a man's survival is threatened, he has the natural right to self preservation. Bahamians should stand up and fight rather than allow the Chinese to take over their means of survival. Further, if nuclear war breaks out in the US, we will depend on those "radiation free" fish to survive! This cannot be overstated! If Bahamian fisheries are given away, it should bring about a revolution! Fight now or fight starvation in the future. It's your choice.
Sickened 8 years ago
I am ready. Soon we all will have nothing to lose.
Naughtydread 8 years ago
Please let me know when we can stage this riot!
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrades! Was the ratification PLP's 2017 candidates and party's convention delayed as a cover - PM suffers illness - for the PM to secretly be negotiating his "100 Years Fisheries & Crown Lands Deal With The Chinese Government? What did the PM's Deputy PM, and their Cabinet Colleagues knows beforehands about this "100 Years Deal?"
Let's do the PLP's own math. 100 years is equal to 14.2 postponed PLP conventions.
Comrade Alfred Sears and his fake leadership chances will be long dead in another PLP 100 years of postponed conventions.
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
What Bahamians fail to realize (the reason they are sleeping) is that we are undergoing a PLP assisted financial invasion by the Chinese of the Bahamas nation. This is real folks, not imaginary. We will never be able to renegotiate with the Chinese or alter an agreement. If we do, they can bring nuclear subs to our doorstep. The PLP are selling out the Bahamas forever. This is 100% a bribes for a nation deal.
Seaman 8 years ago
Is it time to take the Bahamas back by what ever means it takes?
asiseeit 8 years ago
Do not forget it was Gray that was involved with the Korean Fishing boats in 2002!
John 8 years ago
If VAlfred Gray tell you "Good Morning," Check the weather report and see if another hurricane ain't coming...real talks
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
Hoping they haven't already sold us down the river and trying to mask it with this "proposal" approved by the dodo bird
BahamaPundit 8 years ago
This is a breaking news article:
South Korean Coast Guard vessels have, for the first time, fired machine guns against Chinese boats illegally fishing in Korean waters.
Here are the comments under the article:
Why can't these fisherman stay in Chinese waters?
-111-- • 4h cause they've overfished them
Asprinkle • 4h There's nothing left to catch
Kotanaru • 3h Few reasons.
One, that their borders might be different from everybody elses. It might be far larger and intrude upon the actual borders than South Korea has.
Two, there's honestly jack shit in Chinese waters.
Odnyc • 1h Because they've destroyed their fisheries, and want to do the same to other countries' stocks too
Ciuciuruciu • 1h They hav gone as far as Argentina1
TheRunningMan1342 • 22m The Argentines have actually sunk their boats too.
https://m.reddit.com/r/worldnews/commen…
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
The evidence is there for anyone to see, so I cannot believe the gall, stupidity, vacuousness, greed, selfishness of men like Alfred Grey. I cannot decide which end of the spectrum to place them. Stupid enough not to see what's happening or too greedy to care about anyone else. This deal would be the death of the Bahamas. Alfred Grey would kill the Bahamas. Meanwhile the puppeteer would just sit back and say "well I wasn't in town to vote" and the puppetess would say "I'm not in parliament it wasn't my decision" while they both lay off on their blood money.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
It's really strange that this is the same amount of land that the government denied giving away in the Bahamar deal a few weeks ago.
SP 8 years ago
............................................... PLP "All The Way" - Fooked Up .....................................
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