The Tribune

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis has again demanded that Prime Minister Perry Christie release the details surrounding the deal to remobilise the beleaguered Baha Mar resort.

His renewed call came a day after Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe told The Tribune that the government has received the highly anticipated Baha Mar proposals from prospective buyer Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE), including a list of operators that the Hong Kong-based conglomerate is eyeing to run the shuttered mega-resort’s casino – the largest in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Mr Wilchcombe confirmed that the Gaming Board began its due diligence on the list of casino operators late last week.

“It has been a month since Prime Minister Christie told us that he would ‘soon’ unveil more details on the secret buyer of Baha Mar, and the Bahamian people are still waiting,” Dr Minnis said in a statement.

“Minister Obie Wilchcombe over the weekend announced that a prospective buyer has submitted their proposal to buy the resort. The prime minister must now immediately explain to the Bahamian people how this buyer was selected and what concessions were given.

“The PLP government claims it will now do its due diligence by looking into the company but how can this happen if they will not reveal any details to the Bahamian people?

“A review of a new owner of this multi-billion dollar resort by the PLP government cannot be conducted in the dark of the night as they have conducted their business these past four and a half years.

“It is time for the embattled Prime Minister Christie to finally step forward and provide the details of his secret Baha Mar deal as he said he would weeks ago. The people are long past tired of his excessive excuses, empty promises and side-show distractions.”

Dr Minnis said people marched on Parliament last week because of issues with a lack of transparency from the current administration.

“However, the government has not heeded the calls of the Bahamian people for accountability and transparency,” he added. “No, they are continuing to keep secret all of the details involved in this deal.”

“The embattled prime minister continues to remain defiantly silent on the secret Baha Mar deal and his silence is deafening to the Bahamian people who simply want to know the truth.

“The prime minister can end all of this secrecy by allowing the courts to unseal the deal. We serve notice on the PLP government that the FNM will continue to stand with the Bahamian people as they fight for a transparent and accountable government, and a government which addresses the needs and interests of the Bahamian people. We will not be side-tracked by the PLP’s continued excuses, broken promises, and distractions.”

CTFE announced in a press statement last month that it was in talks to acquire the beleaguered Cable Beach project.