The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

AFTER officially discontinuing the National Intelligence Agency in June, National Security Minister Marvin Dames said Tuesday a “modified” version of the controversial agency could be implemented in short order. Seriously?

Dames revealed during an address in the House of Assembly that due to the fact that NIA had operated with no proper or binding legal framework in place, from its introduction, therefore the government discontinued the operation.

Dames also stated the “agency’’ would be revisited once the proper laws were in place to govern it.

Now forward the tape to this Wednesday’s Tribune, in an article by Ricardo Wells, when asked what the future holds for the controversial agency Dames said:

“We said on our platform leading up to the general election that we will bring legislation, that we will enact legislation that will establish a fully functional, a fully autonomous National Intelligence Agency.

“We are committed to that as a government, that is one of the key planks in our crime fight, and you should be seeing something shortly.”

Has the FNM now found something tangible and worthwhile in the previous administrations NIA?

(The NIA which was launched rapidly, after the 2012 general election).

Maybe the true intention of the NIA, an intelligence gathering tank, where various law enforcement agencies would combine their efforts and resources, to eradicate threats to the country’s national security, on multiple levels, is starting to make sense to the FNM?

It really makes one wonder, is PM Minnis and his FNM cabinet developing that dreaded “second mouth’’ most politicians acquire after years in front line politics, so early on in their administration?

All during his time in opposition, and on the campaign trail Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis called on the former government to shut down the NIA. Dr. Minnis even dubbed legislation to legitimise it a ‘‘spy bill.’’ Now that he’s PM, has he had a change of mind and heart?

Is that why he has a bright young politician, who has infinite potential to be PM one day in his own right, Mount Moriah MP and Minister of National Security Marvin Dames, playing the roll of “Sean Spicer” delicately prepping the nation, that yet another “campaign promise’” might not be delivered as promised, but rather in a modified version?

It was obvious during “silly season” the voting populace of the Bahamas didn’t want NIA in existence in any way, shape or form. They wanted it discontinued and not brought back.

Period!

Not to be outdone, PM Minnis got into the “double talk” act as well, expressing how “impressive” BahaMar is as a property, despite having less than complimentary things to say about the resort and its “opening” back in April and May.

Also very conspicuous by his absence on the PM’s tour of BahaMar, Sarkis Izmerlian.

I could only imagine he’d be there for another photo op, akin to the PM’s swearing-in and the opening of Parliament. I must admit I was surprised by his non appearance.

Or have the PM’s handlers gotten the message across to the disgruntled billionaire hotelier?

These latest examples of “double talk” by the FNM is eerily similar to past administrations, both FNM and PLP.

Saying one thing during “election time” then doing something totally contrary, immediately following the election has got to stop.

One can easily say that PM Minnis, despite his quiet, humble demeanor, has learnt well, both good and bad from his political predecessors who’ve held the office of Prime Minister.

But then again PM Minnis is quite savvy in his own right. Will it be to his credit?

Hopefully it will allow him to see what lies on the horizon for our nation, allowing him to be pro active, rather than reactive in his decision making, in regards to moving the nation forward positively.

In 2017, voters, especially that healthy body of swing voters that exists in our country, are quite informed, and fearless when it comes to voicing their concerns, especially the “millennials.” This new breed of “voter” will not tolerate “double talk” and “empty promises”, having felt the pain of the mistakes of past voters, who fell for the hollow campaign promises, perpetrated by past non transparent politicians.

“Mouth could say anything” especially when speaking out of two sides.

Until next week, stay focused Bahamas!