The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I have long held that the most seasoned businessman and visionary within the FNM administration is the Hon Dionisio D’Aguilar (FNM-Free Town), our erstwhile Minister of Tourism. I still hold to this belief and I was very impressed by his address to the nation this past Saturday and the fact that he actually took any and all questions from the media.

It is a given that the tourism market must be reopened as soon as possible but with all required and recommended health protocols. Where mandatory testing is required before entry into the country and privately insured and guaranteed evacuation where an unfortunate visitor were to contract the virus while in The Bahamas to his/her country of origin for treatment, are all excellent suggestions going forward.

I applaud the Minister of Tourism and Aviation and his team for at least coming up with what, prima facie, seems like a workable plan of action. We have to get the economy up and running immediately. NIB funds are stretched to the maximum. Unemployment “benefits” are due to expire and/or be drastically reduced within weeks. The Food Banks I understand are overwhelmed and may have to reduce operations.

I do hope, however, that there will be no or as little as possible confusion in the effective roll out of this brilliant plan by the Minister and his team. The hotels and properties which will take in foreign guests must be brought into its successful implementation. We all have to be on the same page. There is no room for confusion or missteps.

We also have to ensure the safety of hotel workers who after their shifts will have to go home to family and relatives. This aspect of the plan could have been explained in more detail. We can ill afford for there to be a third surge fueled by the reopening of our borders yet again.

Confusion, however, is fast becoming the new normalcy in that all that the people and the Minnis-led administration have been able to do so far is to exercise a regime of trial and error. We shoot the dice and hope for a good outcome. I publicly thank Minister D’Aguilar and assert, without fear of contradiction, or pun, that he is one of the few ‘bright lights’ in the government. He is a hard worker and a go getter, unlike so many other ineffective ministers and parliamentarians. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

October 31, 2020.