Lanisha Rolle
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Progressive Liberal Party has accused Minister Lanisha Rolle of “abuse of power”, insisting her recent conduct warranted resignation or dismissal.
Following Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ intervention in two controversial issues involving the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Opposition said it was clear to all that Cabinet does not support Mrs Rolle’s conduct.
On Wednesday, Dr Minnis admitted in Parliament that government should not have paid for medals featuring a photograph of Minister Rolle on them. However, he said, Mrs Rolle would reimburse the government $582.40 – the cost of the medallions.
The prime minister also addressed another controversy involving Mrs Rolle and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), saying nothing will change with the parade, which is just about seven weeks away. However, he said, the minister, the JCNP and all relevant agencies will have a discussion in February as to the way forward so that by the end of March issues would be resolved.
It came after the JCNP expressed frustration that the minister was overstepping her authority and showed them disrespect by announcing a new Category B group that was denied membership due to their late application.
Under such circumstances, the PLP said Westminster conventions require Minister Rolle to resign her post as Cabinet minister or be dismissed by Dr Minnis.
“It is not enough for the prime minister to publicly reverse a decision made by his Cabinet colleague Lanisha Rolle on Junkanoo,” the party said in a joint statement by Mangrove Cay and South Andros MP Picewell Forbes, shadow minister for culture and sports, and Senator JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Opposition spokesperson on youth.
“Further, in publicly calling for Minister Rolle to reimburse the government over the National Youth Award medallion controversy, the prime minister concedes that his minister is guilty of abuse of power.
“Additionally, there is a specific legal and regulatory regime governing the use of the country’s national symbols, therefore, personalising the Coat of Arms requires official permission. If Minister Rolle failed to secure the requisite approval, she is in gross violation of the law. This is all the more reason for the prime minister to take further and decisive action.
“It is clear to all and sundry that the Cabinet does not support and repudiates Minister Rolle’s policy decisions and ministerial conduct.”
The statement continued: “In the circumstances, Westminster conventions require Minister Rolle to resign her post as Cabinet minister or be dismissed by the prime minister.
“In the past, Prime Minister Minnis hid behind Westminster conventions in dealing with three other members of his caucus who were subject to the whip of the executive. Lanisha Rolle is also subject to the executive and cannot make decisions and conduct her office in a manner that brings Cabinet into ill repute.
“In light of the foregoing, Minister Rolle must resign or be dismissed by the Prime Minister.”
Calls and messages to Mrs Rolle for comment yesterday went unanswered up to press time.
Comments
The_Oracle 5 years, 1 month ago
Always at least one of the elected, either side, that neither understands the limits of their authority, nor their rules of engagement, and completely overstep.
Note the use of the proper word, Authority. Not Power. Power is assumed. Authority is granted. Authority is defined, and if there is accountability, contained. Power feeds ego, which feeds vanity and leads to any number of well defined human defects. Without checks, there can be no balances.
joeblow 5 years, 1 month ago
Its time to quit 'Brave' Davis!
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 1 month ago
Picewell Forbes is a fine one to talk. He must think we've all forgotten about his great faux pas that contributed to John Travolta shutting down his secondary residence in Grand Bahama and leaving the Bahamas for good.
But Rolle too is clearly not the calibre of MP our legislative body should ever have....frankly, those in her constituency who voted for her should be scratching their heads.
momoyama 5 years, 1 month ago
Oh no!! Whatever are we to do???? We lost John Travolta!!!!!!!!!!
What next?? We may even lose more rich foreigners who pay no tax, drive up property prices and contribute absolutely NIL to our economy or society!
Shame on you, Picewell.
LOLOL
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 1 month ago
What you obviously don't know is that the Travolta family were one of the wealthier foreign families with a residence in Grand Bahama where they contributed a great deal to the economy of that island. Perhaps had the Travolta family been impoverished and entered the Bahamas illegally by sea from the south you would have been much more welcoming of them. ROWL
momoyama 5 years, 1 month ago
Your analysis of our economy and what benefits it is interesting, but erroneous. Wealthy people contribute diddly squat to any economy, typically saving money and removing it from where it would be taxed. Almost all the spending that boosts an economy comes from the poor and middle class, which are consumer base. Unless, of course, you believe the debunked Reaganite twaddle about the rich being "wealth creators".
momoyama 5 years, 1 month ago
In fact, in the Bahamian context, the most they do is drive up property prices and (re your reference to Haitians) create the demand for impoverished labour from the south. Once glance at the demographics of Abaco (with its unrivalled 'second home' market) illustrates my point.
banker 5 years, 1 month ago
Picewell -- LOL. Back in the day (early 2000's), he was involved in a salacious doings -- allegedly did to his wife what Leslie Miller said that he did to his girlfriends (and I don't mean toilet-removal from their house). Agree that Lanisha has to go. MPs are servants of the people.
Dawes 5 years, 1 month ago
Problem for the constituency is we vote for party not person. And unfortunately we really vote to keep the other side out. If things don't change 2022 is going to be another elcetion of who you don't want. Just wish DNA could get going and get out there as i am willing to give them a chance over the other two parties who are just twiddledum and twiddledee
proudloudandfnm 5 years, 1 month ago
I cannot believe people still think Forbes did that by accident. That was an intentional ploy, he knew damn well the case would be dismissed if he did that. He knew exactly what he was doing he's a crooked scumbag just like pleasant....
TalRussell 5 years, 1 month ago
912 days on other side brungin in new set governing politicians and our best source of inspiration for excusing away today's bad ministerial behavior is to cling onto - it's not so bad when compared to previous set governing comrade politicians, yes, no ... 912 days switching colour we t-shirts and some progressive thinkers we comrades are after witnessing one bad governing decision after another .... just maybe we the populaces would be best governed under the rule strong-armed authoritarian .... Time we colony's PM to wear one them officially back in Chinese governing fashion, Comrade Chairman Mao's dark coloured business suits .... Get with it that what the minister did was,is and remains inexcusable ministerial behavior - even when foolishly excusing away as better than PLP standards ....
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