The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie circled the wagons yesterday as he defended Official Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ criticism of the government’s recovery efforts and accusations of cronyism as constructive and not political.

“The only person making the response to the storm political is the prime minister,” Mr Collie said in a press statement, following Prime Minister Perry Christie’s dismissal of Dr Minnis’ rebuke as “idiotic”.

“It is our duty as the Official Opposition to speak up for the Bahamian people,” Mr Collie continued, “to give them a voice – and that’s exactly what Dr Minnis is doing. The leader of the Official Opposition and potentially the next prime minister of this country must ensure the people are getting the assistance they need and deserve.

“It is unfortunate that the prime minister sees fit to assert that his government would never play politics as he launches a political attack on Dr Minnis and his efforts to help Bahamians.”

Ahead of Hurricane Matthew’s passage last week, Dr Minnis announced that the party would suspend all political activities until the dangerous category four storm had passed.

During a press conference on Tuesday, he lambasted the government on its performance in preparing for the storm, and in dealing with the widespread destruction left in its wake.

Despite his criticism and call for government action, Dr Minnis told The Tribune that he did not share those concerns with Mr Christie when they toured North Andros and Grand Bahama on Saturday to assess damage in the two areas hardest hit by Matthew. A trip that Mr Christie, in his response, noted was a nonpartisan effort to allow the FNM leader to make recommendations.

Yesterday, Mr Collie said: “Instead of trying to assert that everything we and Dr Minnis are doing to aide our fellow Bahamians is political, it is time for the prime minister and this government to take the ideas and solutions that Dr Minnis set forth on Sunday and implement them immediately.

“While we are all glad that this government answered our calls and finally issued an exigency order, more needs to be done.

“From Dr Minnis’ proposals to start fogging in an effort to stop mosquito borne illnesses, such as Zika, his suggestion to advise Bahamians not to drink untested well water and to warn Bahamians from entering damaged homes until inspected, must all be implemented immediately.”

On Tuesday, Dr Minnis underscored that the Progressive Liberal Party had a history of cronyism, dishonesty, corruption, and victimisation. In light of this, he said he was unconvinced that their restoration efforts would be transparent and nonpartisan. Dr Minnis vowed that his party would closely monitor government expenditure, and urged Bahamians to report instances of over victimisation and discrimination that he said were “inevitable”.

In his response on Wednesday, Mr Christie said he was disappointed that Dr Minnis would seek to use the storm as a politically divisive tool, adding: “It really is one of the most idiotic things I have heard during a disaster.”

Yesterday, Mr Collie reiterated the PLP’s history of putting supporters and allies first.

“We can, and should, all agree on that central premise – that Bahamians deserve recovery efforts and help that are free of any corruption and entanglements,” Mr Collie said.

“The PLP has a history of looking out for its supporters and allies first. Members of the Cabinet have publicly stated that in the past. This is why the government deserves to have close scrutiny on them in everything they do in the recovery and restoration efforts.”

Mr Collie called for persons to set aside Mr Christie’s “petty political attacks” and unite to “stay focused on the critical efforts of the recovery.”

He went on to tout Dr Minnis’ personal charity throughout the storm, and his responsiveness to his Killarney constituents.

“Dr Minnis was out on the streets before the storm hit, making sure his constituents had what they needed,” Mr Collie said. “He allowed dozens of family, friends, and neighbours to stay in his house during the storm; and he has been out since the storm working with Bahamians, donating money and goods, and making sure that people are being taken care of.”

Mr Collie added: “He has been a leader on the forefront of the efforts surrounding the lead up to Hurricane Matthew and the recovery efforts.”