Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday welcomed the Official Opposition’s pledge to move a no-confidence motion against him in the House of Assembly but sidestepped questions about the Town Centre Mall lease that form the basis of the opposition’s threat.
He did not directly answer questions about St Annes MP Brent Symonette’s claim that the pair discussed mall lease details before the parliamentary resolution permitting the lease was passed. Critics, including former Attorney General Alfred Sears, QC, believe Mr Symonette’s revelation calls into question the legitimacy of the resolution. The mall was leased to house the General Post Office.
Dr Minnis, in one of his first interviews with reporters in weeks, also said little about the inflammatory comments of the Water & Sewerage Corporation board director Bennett Minnis who recently called the PLP a party of “corrupt, thieving, no good, bastard, homosexual, African monkeys.” Critics have called for Mr Minnis’ resignation but the administration has not said whether he will be kept or removed from his role.
Speaking to reporters after an Over-the-Hill graduation event yesterday, the prime minister responded to Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis’ recent pledge to bring a no-confidence motion against him at the earliest opportunity.
“We welcome it,” he said. “I hope Davis will not change his mind. We look forward to it on October 2nd when we return to Parliament and we will give him an opportunity to see how strong the FNM is, how together we are and how we are a team and
the Bahamian people will make their final determination in 2022 when we will defeat the PLP and on the 15th and the 16th of August the Bahamian people will have an opportunity to hear from the young people who are the leaders and future of this country when
the FNM has its youth convention. We are on the right track. The economy is growing and in two weeks at the convention you will hear more about ideas and our vision moving forward.”
When he resigned from cabinet earlier this month, Mr Symonette reignited controversy by saying Dr Minnis and he discussed mall renting details last year when he was still Minister of Financial Services and Immigration.
Asked about Mr Symonette’s revelation yesterday, Dr Minnis said: “The beauty about the Town Centre Mall is that matter was addressed in Parliament and you can pull all about what we said, the entire discussions, debates etc; it was an overt, complete transparent procedure, unlike the PLP what they have done in the past.”
When told the debate did not address Mr Symonette’s comments, which were made almost nine months after the resolution was passed, Dr Minnis repeated his line: “The entire matter was addressed in Parliament in a transparent manner.”
Asked about calls for the resignation of WSC’s Board Director Mr Minnis, the prime minister said: “I think that was addressed by many members of my party, I don’t think I have to say anything about it, they have dealt with it.”
Asked if Mr Minnis remains director of WSC’s board, he said: “He’s not the director of a board, he’s on a board, but that has been addressed and I don’t need to elaborate on that.”
The government has not announced Mr Minnis’ removal as WSC board director. Works Minister Desmond Bannister has said the matter will be dealt with at the cabinet level but it is not known if the matter has come up. FNM Chairman Carl Culmer has neither condemned nor defended Mr Minnis’ comments but has said the PLP should “clean their own doorstep.”
Comments
TalRussell 5 years, 3 months ago
If there is one thing the 34 elected sit House Imperials red shirts have mastered is how best to pretend not have any concerns over their party's Dear Leader's first 811 days of insulting the intelligence of an entire colony of out islands populaces. How will the 34, ever repair image of their party under leadership of a a comrade, steeped in arrogance and indifference, yes, no ..it's a government mandate early killer .... and they has know if $650 million man's Brent, could be sent a packing - their but handful millions dollars survival is Slim to none, and Slim be away from colony of islands, when Dear Leader strikes at them ....
John 5 years, 3 months ago
No one will ever question that the vote of no confidence against PM Minnis will be defeated. Of 34 members there are three, maybe four, who are willing to break ranks and defy the party's stance. One may have since had his wings clipped, very close to the bone, so he has resorted to singing for his supper, and even dancing for it. Nevertheless, the fact is opposition sees need to bring this vote of 'no confidence' against the PM. And even whilst many on the government side may be voting in support of Minnis, they will neither be voting their conscience or voting the sentiments of their constituents. Many feel that Minnis has taken the big ship out on the open seas and not only lost his direction, but also his moral compass. But there is also still sufficient time for Minnis and his government to gain their bearings. all is not lost and many are still not yet ready to return to PLP governance.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 3 months ago
The arrogant, nasty and incompetent Minnis is cluelessly incapable of righting the SS Bahamas....and he knows his ship is now taking on water at an ever increasing rate. But sadly, we are likely to find that Minnis himself, like so many among us, may not even know how to swim!
Sickened 5 years, 3 months ago
Pray tell, what is the option? None. Case closed.
TalRussell 5 years, 3 months ago
Populaces must get serious about who we elect sit up in House.
Come 2020 general election, or called By-election, it should become standard procedure in every constituency across colony of out islands for candidate entitles be printed on every ballot to also include giving voters option mark their X's for "None of the Above Comrades"or NOTAC, yes, no ..
..
sheeprunner12 5 years, 3 months ago
PLPs are far nastier than what Bennett said .......... stop whining over this. Gravy Davis wants to filibuster the next session of Parliament to thwart the FNM agenda.
John 5 years, 3 months ago
Minnis biggest downfall right now is he is letting an accountant dictate fiscal policy. And while this was effective in digging the country out of an economic abyss, the country has taken a severe nosedive into recession. Part being that the latest ‘pile on’ of taxes have driven the cost of living beyond reach of many. This has caused a downturn in spending which has resulted in many businesses swing reduced sales and reduced profits (or profits totally wiped out). They have, in turn laid off workers, and the cycle seems to want to keep repeating itself while going deeper and deeper into recession. Minnis must now, therefore, call up an economist or two and come up with plans to get the economy moving at a pace that creates real and sustainable growth. This may mean increasing or speeding up infractural works already in the pipeline to employ more cash flow. There must be tax incentives to local businesses to hire more workers and expand or open new businesses. Locally produced goods and services must be encouraged, supported and promoted. Enquirers must be made to find out why more of the tourist dollars are not trickling into the hands of Bahamians and staying in the country longer. Money has to exchange hands to generate new wealth. And for God Sakes, Minnis must tell the board and management of BPL to fix their problems. No body wants to invest in a country where the power supply is erratic or unreliable or too expensive. And consumers will not stock up on food supplies to spoil when BPL can’t keep the light on. So KP Turnquest can still do he accounting, but the country needs the direction of an economist right now.
TigerB 5 years, 3 months ago
Maybe that question should be put to those that worked in the East St. post office in all that filth. Perhaps they should be allowed to vote.
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