By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday denied being privy to an alleged “secret deal” between the FNM and Chinese officials for the agricultural development of thousands of acres of land in Abaco seven years ago, calling the claims by Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray nothing but “excessive excuses” and “sideshow distractions.”
Dr Minnis told The Tribune that Mr Gray’s claims are “strictly a deterrent” from the Christie administration having been “caught with their pants down” attempting to give away 10,000 acres and fishing of the Bahamian people’s land. Dr Minnis said Mr Gray is “obviously in trouble,” and as such is consequently engaging in “childish games of tit-for-tat.”
Stating that he has “nothing to hide,” Dr Minnis challenged the MICAL MP to present and subsequently table any evidence supporting his claims in Parliament.
Nonetheless, Dr Minnis questioned “how many other times” will Mr Gray be caught in compromising circumstances “before he is requested and demanded to resign”.
Last week, Dr Minnis had called for Mr Gray to resign after it was reported that the government had given the “green light” to its embassy in Beijing, China to further pursue a proposal for a partnership between the Bahamas and China for the development of agriculture and fisheries in Andros.
The proposal reportedly projects a $2.1b injection into the local economy over 10 years through an equal partnership between Bahamians and the People’s Republic of China. The proposal also reportedly included the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.
Mr Gray has admitted that he gave Bahamas Ambassador to China Paul “Andy” Gomez the go ahead to have discussions on the proposal, but has stressed that the matter is not before the government for consideration.
Last week he criticised Dr Minnis, calling him a “hypocrite,” charging that the previous FNM administration, of which Dr Minnis was a member, allegedly struck a “private deal” with China Shandong Expressway Investment Holding Company Limited in 2009 for the “rent free” development of 10,000 acres of land in Abaco.
At the time, Mr Gray claimed that the deal allegedly called for some 1,354 Chinese workers versus just 167 Bahamians.
“I know not what (Mr Gray) speaks about, but what I can say is we’re in an era of transparency,” Dr Minnis said in response. “So I ask (Mr Gray) to bring it, whatever he speaks about, bring it to Parliament, table it, and let the people see. It’s quite obvious that he was caught with his signature of authorisation. Minister Gray has been the one being hypocritical and lying about this secret proposal, and I can say the Bahamian people are tired of his excessive excuses, empty promises and sideshow distractions.
“He’s obviously trying to distract from the fact that they are still negotiating the giveaway of 10,000 acres of crown land and fishing rights, and I would say that if it was up to Mr Gray the Bahamian people would not know about this secret proposal.”
Dr Minnis added: “So whatever evidence Gray has with respect to land giveaway that he speaks about in 2009, we’re in an era of transparency. Bring it - show the Bahamian people - I know nothing about it. Bring, table it in Parliament, show the Bahamian people. Because believe me, when I come into power, a Minnis-led government will be very transparent, and whatever dealings or wrongdoings that they are doing now will be brought to the forefront and the law will be brought into effect.”
Dr Minnis also held firm to his reason for calling for Mr Gray’s resignation, suggesting that it is because the $2.1bn agri-fisheries proposal is yet another controversy in which Mr Gray is embroiled. Dr Minnis pointed to Mr Gray being relieved of his Cabinet post as minister responsible for local government by Prime Minister Perry Christie amid a police investigation into allegations that he used his power to interfere with the judicial process last year.
“How many other times must he be caught before he is requested and demanded to resign?” Dr Minnis asked. “But this is not a government of transparency, it’s not a government of honesty, it’s not a government of integrity. But I put them on notice that a Minnis-led government will dig up whatever there is and deal with it appropriately.
“So if he has anything on us, bring it forth to the Bahamian people. I have nothing to hide.”
Earlier this month, Mr Gray said the proposal for the development of agriculture and fisheries in Andros was pitched to his ministry by the government’s ambassador to China, and not the Chinese government or investors. Mr Gray explained at the time that Ambassador Gomez had submitted the proposal as an overview of items that he sought clearance from the government to discuss with investors in China.
Meanwhile, Mr Christie said recently that he is not “easy” when it comes to Crown land approvals, claiming that any major development that takes place on Andros would not be because the government “imported foreign labour,” but the result of Bahamian labour.
Mr Christie said while his administration continues to be accused by critics on the matter, he would soon release every proposal that was submitted to the government in relation to Andros, dating back to the very first administration.
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