By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
KATHERINE Smith, managing director of Disaster Reconstruction Authority, has expressed her dismay over criticisms about pledges made during the Hurricane Dorian Pledging Conference held on Monday.
While speaking to reporters in Grand Bahama on Wednesday, she said critics should “be careful” of “vilifying” people in the media about the pledges they have offered. “We really should be very careful what we say about people who come to pledge. We should not criticise people and their pledges, we should be thankful and grateful for whatever they are pledging,” she said.
She was referring to criticisms concerning the offer by P3 Group, which put forward $975 million in financing for various projects..
Philip “Brave” Davis, leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, had expressed scepticism over the $1.5 billion in pledges.
“Let us strip down how this $1.5bn is made up,” Mr Davis said on Tuesday. “I daresay, when you talk about donors, you are expecting donations to be made without strings attached. So I would ask (the prime minister) to identify the donors, identify the conditions on what donations are being made and we need to separate what is borrowed from what is being donated and then we would understand what the true import of the exercise (on Monday) produced.”
PLP deputy leader Chester Cooper said the borrowing rate of the proposed $975m in funding is a concern.
“We would like to know why this route would be any more feasible than a national investment bond that would allow Bahamians to participate,” Mr Cooper said on Wednesday. “The structure of any potential deal must also be carefully vetted and due diligence done in P3 and the finances.”
However, Mrs Forbes-Smith indicated some of the backlash may be premature, as no decisions have been made yet and a full breakdown of the pledges will come soon.
“No, we have not decided on any kind of financing with respect to loans at the moment. But we have to be careful how we are accusing and how we are vilifying people in the media about their pledges. I mean, it is very sad because we want to continue to encourage our local and international donors to continue to work with The Bahamas,” Mrs Smith said.
She stated there was nothing “sinister” about the Pledge Conference.
“Just on the issue of the $1.5 billion is really for people to understand that it was not just cash. I know there has been a lot of talk in the media about P3 Group who pledged $975 million, and that was not pledged in cash.
“But the Pledging Conference is no secret. Whatever was pledged is being worked out now and will be publicised, I believe (Thursday),” she said.
She added: “There is nothing sinister about the Pledge Conference - we should be a grateful people to the organisations and entities who came and pledged.
“The IDB has to figure out the several billions of dollars that are really necessary for the rebuilding of this country. And so, we are happy and pleased and appreciative of persons who are prepared to support the government and people of the Bahamas.
“We need as much as technical support in this journey of recovery, rebuilding, and resiliency, and what we get is well appreciated.”
Mrs Smith said that Bahamians should be grateful people are willing to support the Bahamas in this effort.
She indicated that there are a number of disasters around the world, including the earthquake in Puerto Rico.
“People are moving to the next disaster. It is important for us as a country and an Authority to let the world out there know that, yes, the Bahamas is on its way back to rebuilding, but we also continue to need the support of the international community and local community. And Bahamians abroad have really jumped in and been very supportive. There are so many people out there willing to help,” she said.
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Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
Where was this clucking dingbat when government was unnecessarily interfering with and hindering the desperately needed helping hands of numerous well known foreign NGOs in the immediate aftermath of Dorian?
Here's a very telling admission from the clucking dingbat. She actually believes the IDB as opposed to the Minnis-led FNM government is running our country. She's probably right on that score given all of the incompetent governing we've experienced since May 2017.
moncurcool 4 years, 11 months ago
In case you are not aware, it was not until Mrs. Smith took over the coordination of the relief in Grand Bahama that people starting getting help and us in the NGO world saw action happening and the red tape cleared. So she deserves kudos for what has been done since she took over. The government should have had her running the operation from day one and not in October.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
Few will agree with you. She's been instrumental in doing Minnis's bidding by putting as much red tape as possible on NGO activity in Grand Bahama as she has red lipstick on her lips. Everyone knows the post-Dorian recovery effort has been seriously hampered by Minnis's incessant desire to control and micro-manage just about everything for the benefit of his cronies. And Katherine Forbes-Smith has been only too willing to help Minnis achieve his desired freakish level of control over just about every aspect of the recovery effort.
moncurcool 4 years, 11 months ago
The many who will not agree are ignorant as they have not been involved and knowledgeable of what has been happening. As one connected with an IGO that was involved with the hurricane form day one, I'm not asking but telling you that Mrs. Smith has made all the difference in making it easier for us as NGO to work. Anyone who tells you difference is only a trouble maker.
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
Or possibly because the pledging conference was a UNDP / IDB iniatitive that was organised by and sponsored by them. So they remain involved as part of the transparency that you write about in long post when its convenient.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 11 months ago
How much is Kay Forbes smith being paid to spill garbage and spin. crap.??
Will she speak about the cruise line that she is the consultant to. What doc them tell her to tell them??
moncurcool 4 years, 11 months ago
“Let us strip down how this $1.5bn is made up,” Mr Davis said on Tuesday. “I daresay, when you talk about donors, you are expecting donations to be made without strings attached. . This clearly shows the ignorance of Davis. If he knows about donors, he would well know that donors always give and specify where they want their funding to go and you as the recipient then have the choice to determine whether you want to take it or not. A real leader would have asked how things work before opening their mouth and showing clearly their lack of understanding.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 11 months ago
Kay Forbes Smith must be running hard to be the most hated woman in the Bahamas and no FNM propaganda can change that fact.
Perhaps doc should have waited before he made his grandiose 1.5 billion announcement
How much is doc paying her to spin and the cruise port that has been doing the dumping in Bahamian waters. What is she and doc telling them. being as she is a consultant?.
TalRussell 4 years, 11 months ago
Ma comrades, do take closer look at her picture, and then still say all honestly, that still your're not least, skeptical that someone such intelligence looking Comrade "Sister" Kay - doesn't really know true meaning Pledged funds intended be used exclusively - for the reconstruction post Hurricane Dorian?
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
What are you even saying
TheMadHatter 4 years, 11 months ago
Just like VAT - they don't tell us nothin 'bout that. From wither the money cometh and to whence it goeth? Shut ya mout and go ink ya fingah.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 11 months ago
"We need as much as technical support in this journey of recovery"
Thry say this without lifting one finger to find out what technical expertise we already have. Lately I've heard a narrative that we need to get assistance from abroad to find out how to prepare a business continuity plan. Have these people asked any major bank in the country for their protocols? These banks have for decades prepared plans for operating remote offices, securing home premises, ensuring satellite communication,... I am literally flabberghasted whdn I hear educated people tell the nation that we need to bring people in the country to show us how to do this. It is more frightening what these people could be telling the foreign man. No wonder they come in and charge us 35 million for a website. They say clearly this person is the smartest man in the country and he don't know no better...add another zero on the end of the number...
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
You have a big chip on your shoulder.
Who hurt you, who denied you something, maybe your dreams didnt work out?
Seems like only you know everything, the pre -eminient expert in all things, but you have time to be online commenting on all things. The chairman you have a problem with, every idea you have a problem with, i mean what a burden to know all and only have tribune commenters to share it with
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 11 months ago
It's called decades of seeing the Bahamas and Bahamians sold out. May be you don't see it because you're a beneficiary. Mutton does taste good. And if you really read my comments in "all the time I have online, I frequently state when "I don't know"....now when I know, I indicate it...I also find the Tribune posts anytging but a burden, the debate is good
everything above is 100% true. Individuals are publicly talking about going to foreign firms to find out how to prepare business continuity plans. You go to a bank and ask them what they do to prepare. You'll be asking yourself too, why are they going outside the Bahamas for information that right here????
Go and do a syrvey of business persons who made proposals to govt. Better yet go speak to the owners of Cavalier Construction on why theyre closing shop as construction on the Pointe is ongoing....Speaking out against air is one thing but speaking out on facts???
Go talk the operations officer in any bank please
geostorm 4 years, 11 months ago
We the people are our own "worse" enemies!
moncurcool 4 years, 11 months ago
It is amazing how we go on rumours and not facts.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 11 months ago
LMAO.....you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but that doesn't somehow change the facts as known by most Grand Bahamians.
Hoda 4 years, 11 months ago
Do you live in grand bahama or Abaco
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