The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRESIDENT of the Abaco Haitian Pastors Association Octervil Baptiste fired back at critics yesterday over Prime Minister Philip Davis’s visit to its annual church conference, stressing the event was about unity and not politics.

Videos of Mr Davis’s visit to the Abaco church over the weekend circulated online, with some suggesting the prime minister was meeting with the Haitian community to gain their votes.

However, Mr Baptiste, one of the event’s organisers, said Mr Davis attended at their request.

He said opposition members, including Michael Pintard, were also present, and both sides shared messages of unity.

Videos and photos showing politicians from both parties, seen by The Tribune, also proved his claim.

In his speech, Prime Minister Davis commended members of the Haitian community for their contributions to Abaco’s development, particularly in the island’s rebuilding after Hurricane Dorian.

He also said The Bahamas has a special relationship with Haiti and urged pastors to help curb illegal migration and prevent the growth of unregulated communities.

Pastor Baptiste said Haitians are often used as scapegoats during election season.

He said he agrees with the Davis administration’s stance on illegal shanty towns, adding: “I myself don’t like shantytowns.”

He said there is a false perception that those from Haitian backgrounds live in shanty towns, noting that many, like himself, live in well-established communities and encourage others to follow the law.

“We are not proud about these things,” he added. “I preach about it before and in fact, we the pastors, we taking a stand to try to talk to the people because one of the things I believe is to be an abiding citizen and to follow the law and do it the right way.”

“I want Bahamian to know we not enemies, or we don’t have any, any anything on our mind to try to take over The Bahamas like Bahamian normally say. No.”

“We don’t have no agendas of political party, We do not and it’s never anything like that.”