The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement’s online petition to measure Bahamians’ level of displeasure over the hidden Baha Mar negotiation documents has to date gathered 1,092 signatures, The Tribune was told.

Since launching the online form earlier this month, there were 5,068 visits to its website. Of this number, there was a 23 per cent participation rate, an FNM official said.

The party anticipates well over 20,000 signatures when the petition is closed by the end of the month.

Last week, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie said Bahamians were “shocked and dismayed” that the Christie administration allowed the deal made with the Chinese to be sealed. He urged all Bahamians to endorse the petition and reiterated the party’s stance that Prime Minister Perry Christie was duty-bound to make the agreement public.

Mr Christie has said that the court documents were sealed at the request of the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM).

“This petition gives the people a tangible way to voice their disgust at how the prime minister shrouded his secret deal with the Chinese, unwilling to allow the people to review the contents and see for themselves what has been decided about their future,” Mr Collie added.

“Bahamians if you are concerned about your future, the future of your children and grandchildren, the Free National Movement urges you to sign this petition.”

Mr Christie announced that a deal had been reached between the government and CEXIM to remobilise the stalled resort during a nationally televised press conference last month.

However, he did not provide any clarity on a possible buyer or sale price, or details on how unsecured creditors will be paid.

The FNM has railed against the secrecy surrounding the deal, citing mounting public distrust in the Christie-led government amid speculation over the concessions given by the government.

The online petition states: “We request that Prime Minister Perry Christie immediately unseal all the documents related to the secret Baha Mar deal he made with the Chinese. We have lost faith in the prime minister and cannot just trust him to tell us what is in the deal. We are concerned about our future and just want to know what the government gave away to the Chinese in this deal.”

Mr Christie has repeatedly defended the move to keep the court documents sealed.

Recently, he maintained that such a process was standard and that global businesses cannot be expected to conduct their “sensitive negotiations” in the media.