Bahamas Power and Light headquarters.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
A SENIOR Cabinet minister has said “heads must roll” over Bahamas Power and Light’s “premature” announcement of a proposed increase in electricity costs due to rising fuel prices.
The announcement, which came in a press release from BPL last Monday, was rescinded an hour after it was released.
The next day, Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears said the government had not approved any rate increase for power, nor is it considering doing so.
This was also supported by Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis who committed his administration to doing all it can to avoid “raising the cost of electricity”.
Yesterday, Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell said it was “shocking” the power provider came to the decision without leave of the government.
“It is simply extraordinary that BPL would announce a rate increase without leave of the government,” Mr Mitchell said in a WhatsApp voice note. “Shocking. Heads must roll in my view.”
Mr Davis and Mr Sears spoke last week after the power provider advised consumers in the recalled press release that fuel costs would rise 3.2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), warning some customers could see a rise of about $8, while others could pay $19 more on their electricity bills depending on consumption.
Mr Sears called the release of the press statement “premature”.
Changing subjects Mr Mitchell, Fox Hill MP, also said he believes there should be a Commission of Inquiry into the Free National Movement’s conduct while in office.
“It is imperative that we acknowledge that there needs to be a Commission of Inquiry with a single commissioner to look into all matters related to the governance under the FNM and, in particular, the conduct of our finances and the prosecution of Messrs (Shane) Gibson, (Frank) Smith and (Kenred) Dorsett. (It) must be done,” Mr Mitchell said.
Before these comments, the minister said he was of the view that the Davis administration needs to get a true valuation of the shares at the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
He said: “The pressure on the ground is enormous and the dissatisfaction widespread about the inability of that company to execute the mandate of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement. They do not appear to have the capital or the talent to take the city any further. The government had an agreement with the Port when we were last in office between 2012 and 2017 and we passed an Act in pursuance of that agreement to promote the development of the city.
“It was left on the books, but never enforced by the Free National Movement when they went to office and now, we have a mandate again and it’s left lagging.
“Two things have happened. First the FNM came to power and in concert with the Port drafted a bill to reverse all that the PLP had agreed with them and then they never enacted it.
“The problem is that the FNM did nothing to force the PLP’s commitments even though they didn’t pass their own bill. They let the Port simply slide. The result is today the roads are in a state of disrepair. There’s no airport and the tourism infrastructure is in shambles.”
“So, you get the impression that this is being run - the Grand Bahama Port Authority is a family business and assets are being liquidated and all that is being done is really to keep things going at a bare minimum,” Mr Mitchell said.
“I guess that’s why Darren Cooper and his business people are on the streets and we support that.
“Some were making noise about the fact that Ginger Moxey, the minister for Grand Bahama, was not at the demonstration last week. Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, Ginger Moxey is a minister. She doesn’t have to demonstrate.
“She can act and I assure the people of Grand Bahama that even though you don’t like the PLP, you voted against us, we are going to act in the national interest to save Grand Bahama.”
More like this story
- GOVT STEPPED IN TO BLOCK BPL RATE RISE: Planned increase shelved after Cabinet ruled rise needed ministers’ approval
- ‘Dumping BPL hedging deal may cost $200m’
- Hedging delay threatens to cost BPL’s consumers
- EDITORIAL: Groundhog Day again at BPL
- BPL BILLS HIKE: PM announces move due to rising fuel costs
Comments
realfreethinker 2 years, 7 months ago
I hope the first 3 heads to roll are Bwave Fweddy and Alfie. Liars and corrupt officials
thephoenix562 2 years, 7 months ago
Some were making noise about the fact that Ginger Moxey, the minister for Grand Bahama, was not at the demonstration last week. Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, Ginger Moxey is a minister. She doesn’t have to demonstrate.
“She can act and I assure the people of Grand Bahama that even though you don’t like the PLP, you voted against us, we are going to act in the national interest to save Grand Bahama.”
Sooo what she waiting for?
moncurcool 2 years, 7 months ago
Ginger Moxey helped to created the problem. She cannot march to demonstrate against the place where she was the VP and created the problem the people are marching against. She it totally conflicted in her role as MP and Minister of GB. She is voiceless to solve issues in GB.
sheeprunner12 2 years, 7 months ago
His head should roll. What does he have to do with BPL?
moncurcool 2 years, 7 months ago
100% agree with you. His is the first head that should go.
TalRussell 2 years, 7 months ago
Are du Port's un and audited books open scrutiny by all Freeporters',** ― Yes?
mandela 2 years, 7 months ago
What about the deplorable condition of the roads in Nassau? Holes, holes, at every turn, visitors laugh and complain because of the lack of road signs and road markings and the kraters one will encounter while driving, wondering how do these people survive such a dangerous driving experience.
JohnBrown1834 2 years, 7 months ago
The government needs to stay out of those State-Owned Enterprise businesses. Let them make their own decisions. Let them do what it takes to be profitable. Every country that grew and advanced during this generation did so because of a lack of government intervention.
SP 2 years, 7 months ago
Fred has the audacity to suggest "there should be a Commission of Inquiry into the Free National Movement’s conduct while in office"?
Perry Gladstone Christie's PLP government was the most inept, corrupt, asinine, administration in the history of this country, unquestionably far more deserving of a Commission of Inquiry!
The damage Christie caused to future wealthy resident investors by derailing Sarkis with Baha Mar cannot be overemphasized. If not for corrupt Christie, there would be no need for the Bahamas to cross the globe seeking investors.
There are already enough high net worth individuals resident in the Bahamas to develop the whole country several times over. However, they are terrified of the PLP and FNM, and Jackass Christie proved they have every right to be so!
Dawes 2 years, 7 months ago
The damage PLP did to BEC in the early 2000 needs to be looked at. That was when BEC went form making money to being a loss making enterprise. It has never recovered since then.
tribanon 2 years, 7 months ago
The only thing possibly more "shocking" for Fweddy Boy would have been his boyfriend sitting on the throne this morning to take a dump without his prior consent.
OMG 2 years, 7 months ago
This iscthe root cause of our problems in that since independance government policies. have been made simply to hold on to power as opposed to approaching infrastructure and costs as a business requiring profit and investment. It really is simple Mr Davies, no commision is needed. . You cannot continue to generate electricity at a price lower than the cost of producing it. Yes it is painful but all you are doing is kicking the can down the road, addingt to the national deb t and leaving no room to reinvest in modern generating equipment.
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