The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AS criticism over the level of involvement by the Chinese government in Bahamas investments continues, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday renewed calls for clarification on the sealed deal relating to the sale and remobilisation of the Baha Mar resort.

Addressing the length of time that has elapsed since Mr Christie promised the disclosure of pertinent details associated with that deal, Dr Minnis criticised the Centreville MP, insisting that he was “hiding” behind the “secret deal” which allowed Perfect Luck Holdings Limited to acquire the stalled mega resort in late September. Perfect Luck is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), which was the resort’s financier.

A Hong Kong conglomerate Chow Tai Fook has since said it is in negotiations with the government to purchase the resort.

In a statement to the press Wednesday, the Killarney MP said it had been two and half weeks since Mr Christie said he would “soon unveil more details” about the transaction.

“The Bahamian people are still waiting,” Dr Minnis said. “During this period we have had a Chinese company step forward announcing that they are in negotiations to buy the resort.

Then we learned this PLP government has conducted its clandestine negotiations with the Chinese government that would ultimately give away 20,000 acres of Crown land and our fishing rights to the Chinese against the interest of the Bahamian people.”

He was referring to a proposal for investment by the Bahamas Embassy in China, seeking a $2.1 billion partnership with Chinese officials. The government has said the proposal is not being considered, although the Bahamas ambassador to China was given the go-ahead to have discussions on the matter by Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray.

Dr Minnis said the time was now for the “embattled” prime minister to finally come forward and hold true to his word to “provide details on his secret Baha Mar deal.”

“The people are long past tired of his excessive excuses, empty promises and side-show distractions. The answers are out there. Unfortunately they are not being provided by this government,” Dr Minnis said.

“We have (said) for months that the prime minister would be willing to make an unholy deal with his Chinese allies, and now we found out that they are bent on giving away our land and fishing rights – all part of an ongoing web of (misinformation) emanating from their secret Baha Mar deal that they continue to keep under seal and away from the people,” added Dr Minnis.

In September, Mr Christie said the court documents related to the remobilisation of the resort were sealed at the request of CEXIM.

This had prompted outcry, with the FNM creating an online petition to measure Bahamians’ level of displeasure over the hidden Baha Mar negotiation documents.

Subsequently, the petition gathered thousands of signatures.