The Tribune

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

BYE BYE BIRDIE

WHEN Bamboo Town MP and Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Renward Wells announced in Parliament:

“I am committed to putting in place in two years ‘no chicken imports’ into this country.”

“It is my intention to have Bahamians eat as much of their food from locally grown sources.

This would allow us to eat food that is closer to its nutritional source, which is more beneficial and has the potential to reduce our national high level of non-communicable diseases.”

I was shocked and awed.

No more chicken imports?

Seriously?

Is Minister Wells truly aware of the enormity and improbability of such an undertaking?

I don’t know if Mr. Wells seriously took into account, the love affair Bahamians have with chicken.

Now before some of you poultry aficionados get in a ‘fowl’ mood, let’s look at the pros and cons in this whole scenario.

PRO’S

According to an article in The Tribune’s Business section, Lance Pinder, operations manager at Abaco Big Bird, welcomed the Minister’s remarks, saying the vision was “possible” and “certainly ambitious”.

“It would be a very good thing.”

“From a logistics standpoint I think it’s possible; it’s certainly ambitious. It’s always a good thing when governments talk about it, but the basic things that have impacted farming over the years are still there.”

“That would require a big investment. People would need to have the confidence that government would actually implement such a ban,” he added.

Mr. Pinder also noted:

“The local banks are not lending money. There are no financing options.”

“Right now we have been looking at solarising the farm. We have less than a 4 per cent debt to income ratio with our current lender. We can’t even borrow money to solarise the farm, and it’s a no brainer.”

“We did the numbers, as the government is getting $100,000 more a year in taxes out of us versus if we shut down and they just got the 30 per cent tariff on imported chicken.”

“When someone buys a chicken from us the money stays in the country for about three weeks, versus if an imported chicken was purchased the money stays in the country about a week,” noted Mr Pinder.

CON’S

A similar poultry ban, by a previous administration, almost led to catastrophic results.

‘Joe Public’ was irate, and wanted their chickens, as chicken reserves plummeted, I was reminded of those emaciated, gaunt birds served to the public by less than scrupulous individuals. I also vividly remember the fallout socially, by those ‘jonesing’ chicken lovers, and the ban being lifted shortly, thereafter!

Don’t do it Rennie, ‘base out bird’ ain’t gonna fly!

I guarantee one thing for sure, if this all does go down, the “yard chicken” will be the fastest animal in the entire Bahamas, when it’s all said and done.

MINNIS’ IMMIGRANT ROLLER COASTER

Okay, let me get this straight, over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the PM champion the cause of Dominica, and potential immigrants relocating to our Bahamas.

Defending the disputed nationality of Minister of Transportation and Local Government Frankie Campbell.

And now, on to this, his latest contribution in the HOA.

“We must be a country that abides by the rule of law.”

“Those migrants who are here illegally must leave by December 31, 2017.

“ After which period they will be aggressively pursued and deported. This applies to all nationalities.”

“Those Bahamians and residents who employ illegal migrants have until December 31, 2017 to regularise these individuals or to stop employing them.”

“I implore Immigration Officers to execute their duties in a professional and humane manner. Those who illegally employ such migrants are legally liable and they will be prosecuted. We must be a country of law and order.”

I hope it really applies to all “Nationalities,” but taking all things into consideration, along with this administrations numerous examples of double talk, and slow delivery on campaign promises, is this going to be executed objectively and fairly?

Or, will we see the usual parade of Cuban, Haitian and Jamaican nationals hauled before the courts, and carted off to the Detention Centre?

All I’m saying is, the same time Immigration ‘raids’ ‘over the hill’ please ensure they hit Albany, Lyford Cay, Port New Providence, etc.

You see where I’m going with this, right?

FIREY FRED

PM Minnis, statement didn’t slip past human rights activist QC Fred Smith, nor did the PM escape Smith’s verbal onslaught.

“The Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Director of Immigration ,etc. cannot see and understand everything they have been doing is completely lawless, illegal and an abuse of the rule of law then they are being intentionally blind.”

“They are pandering to a xenophobic public.”

“They don’t see that huge human resources are being wasted and squandered; the taxpayers’ money being squandered in these raids, detentions and deportations instead of making thousands of people positive, contributing members of our society.

That is why I say the Bahamas has now been thrown from the frying pan into the fire.”

“Minnis is the ‘New Mitchell’ and he is a Menace to The Rule of Law.”

How do you really feel Mr. Smith?

CONVICTION

The passion and conviction displayed by our PM, in regards to Dominica and defending his boy ‘Frankie’ is commendable.

Now, with the same aforementioned passion and conviction, mister Prime Minister, please let us know what’s the deal on:

Baha Mar

CAMPAIGN REFORM

CRIME

FOIA

NIA

SPY BILL

Asking for a friend, please and thanks.