PLP Leader Philip "Brave" Davis.
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis called for the resignation of Health Minister Dr Duane Sands on Friday - and claimed there were potentially other instances of people coming into the country while the borders are closed for Bahamians.
Mr Davis spoke after Dr Sands defended his discussion to allow two Americans, who are said to be Bahamian residents, to enter the country and quarantine at home. He previously criticised the move calling it a “show of hypocrisy.” However, on Friday the PLP leader went on to say he had received information that `this was possibly not the first time this was allowed to happen.
“I don’t think this is the only one and I think we just need to check the records, check customs, and just check Odyssey and we’ll know the numbers that have come in since then,” he said.
“We have been on this since day one crying for them to let our people come home. They refuse to do so, but we were hearing reports. We were hearing reports about others coming in from aboard – not Bahamians, but others coming in.
“We were made aware that at least one airline from the commencement of this exercise had the permission to fly people in and out of the country. So the reports are bound. They’ve been caught now where there’s evidence.”
During Thursday’s Ministry of Health’s press conference, Dr Sands explained the US couple brought COVID-19 testing supplies and he made the decision to allow them to disembark as it was considered “a matter of urgency”.
Yet, Mr Davis argued these same conditions should apply for Bahamians stuck abroad to have medical supplies in order to come back home.
Getting into the country by offering “gifts” that have not been tested makes The Bahamas look like a “Banana Republic”, said party chairman Fred Mitchell.
“We don’t even know if this equipment works or anything, so it comes off as political prostitution. You know you can get in The Bahamas, just offer them some little test and in you come and for a minister to get up and say ‘Oh I take responsibility for it’ and he in law is not the person responsible. So both he and the people who came in are in violation of law.”
Mr Davis chimed in that the prime minister is the competent authority to make the call for the Americans to enter on Bahamian soil. He questioned how a minister could go against that power and breach the measures. According to Mr Davis, Dr Sands stepping down would be the right thing to do.
“He’s accepted responsibility and the next step for him now to do is to do what is right. Having accepted responsibility, what he knows was wrong, what then is the next thing to do – character dictates that he should resign or at the very least offer his resignation to the competent authority,” he said.
Comments
DDK 4 years, 7 months ago
Well, everybody?? Y'all think this special entry permission was kosher?
ISpeakFacts 4 years, 7 months ago
Minnis and Sands both need to resign, they've shown time and time again that they aren't fit to lead this country. Hurricane Dorian is a prime example, over 8 months in and bodies are still in the trailer behind the clinic!!!
The only thing they're good at is licking the boots of their Red Chinese masters, reminder that Sands was hesitant to keep borders closed with Red China after he and the other Min. of Health dumbies had a meeting with said Chinese masters, Sands was also gloating back in January saying the virus was no concern to the Caribbean... now look where we are 5 months into 2020!
geostorm 4 years, 7 months ago
Brave Davis, perhaps should resign! Sick of you.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 7 months ago
What really scares the dickens out of me now is the fact that another hurricance season is less than 30 days away and meteorologists are already finding record high water temperatures in the Atlantic. I have often said Minnis has jinxed our country and its people. Sadly, we have as a people committed way too many transgressions with impunity for way too long a period of time.
Perhaps Minnis as PM is the price we are being made to pay as penance for having offended God. All I know is, everytime we think it can't possibly get any worse under the Minnis-led FNM government, somehow it usually does. One thing is for sure though, returning the governance of our country to the PLP political elite of yore is certainly not the answer for ending our current period of penance - but neither is re-electing most of the present bunch of FNM MPs, especially Minnis.
Topdude 4 years, 7 months ago
When all is said and done, history will judge Prime Minister Minnis as the greatest Prime Minister in the history of the Bahamas. With so many natural disasters on his watch he has stepped up to lead the nation through them with grace, poise, focus and determination. You must remember the Good Lord does put on your plate more than you can handle.
Sick Mudda must remember this fact and get out of the doldrums he whimpers and crawls in. Remember the four cardinal sins and look at yourself and then change your mindset. God Bless our Prime Minister.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 7 months ago
Neither Dorian nor Covid-19 transformed us into a directionless nation of beggars. Only one person can lay claim to that achievement. And try as you may to rewrite history, that will most assuredly be this PM's political epitaph.
SP 4 years, 7 months ago
Fred Mitchel and the PLP have Peter Nygard, China, and any number of "political prostitution" skeletons in their closet than we will ever know about.
Dr. Sands made a reasonable judgment call. The end result is the country is better off having additional badly needed test kits. The only important factor to be concerned about is that proper steps were followed and the country was not put at risk!
Other jurisdictions such as Barbados never closed its' borders to returning residents on private aircraft, however, they are required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
joeblow 4 years, 7 months ago
… I think it is relatively obvious that this was never about test kits, if it were those kind hearted donors could have sent them by courier. The fact that these RESIDENTS could enter while less privileged Bahamian CITIZENS who are stuck in the US and want to come home are being jerked around, speaks volumes!!
TalRussell 4 years, 7 months ago
Need I remind all registered with citizenship as the Queen's Loyal Subjects, not to view Comrade "Brave" as some mere mortal person but view him as the leader of the colony's Official Opposition caucus tasked with keeping the government in check.
The Honourable Comrade "Brave" is also generally to be viewed as the alternative "government in waiting" to the Imperialists' redshirts...and walks but one step behind from transforming into The Rt. Honourable.**
God Save Us, Queen! Nod once for yeah, show Respect, Twice for no?
TalRussell 4 years, 7 months ago
It only remains to be seen as to the degree the penalty be handed-down by colony's First amongst equals now that none-other than the comrade attorney general Carl Wilshire QC, has joined hands comrade "Brave" after his having ruled that no crown minister of health, possess the authority to authorise such an airport's landing of aircraft.
Surly, the "First will not brungs the Chief Justice, Comrade Brian, into the ruling picture?
Not to forget that at least two Homeless individuals have were thus far jailed for breaking much lesser orders handed down by colony's First amongst equals?
Nod once for yeah, show much Respectg both the First** and his AG, Twice for no?
BahamaRed 4 years, 7 months ago
Brave just mad he can't travel to the USA. Kml
On a serious note though, now is not the time to play politics. Bahamians are in dire need, now is the time to come up with sensible ideas on how to rebuild the economy.
licks2 4 years, 7 months ago
Davis is right. . .if not resign, then fired!!!! This situation has nothing to do with Davis. . .Sands did the nanny on the national floor and Doc has the job to clean up national nannies off the floor. . .
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