Is Your MP Performing: Kennedy Constituents Displeased With MP
By NIKIA DEVEAUX:
Nine out of nine residents interviewed in the Kennedy constituency recently said their Member of Parliament, Kenyatta Gibson has not been performing.
While the constituents refused to give their names to the Bahama Journal, they minced no words when revealing that Mr. Gibson has made no positive changes in the community since he took his seat as the MP for Kennedy.
Some of the constituents had unique concerns, but whether their cry was that there are no programmes in place to assist the youth or that they need jobs, the nine constituents polled all agreed that Mr. Gibson is "never around."
"Kenyatta Gibson? I’ve never seen him around, and I’ve been living here since 1987. I don’t know if he happens to come around every time I’m not home, but all I can say is that I’ve never seen him in the area," said a man who only wanted to be identified as Mr. Mitchell.
Another constituent added: "Kenyatta? Well actually I don’t even know who he is to be honest. I’ve only heard the name from people around here. But me, I don’t know him. He’s not doing anything around here."
An elderly woman who has been living in the area for decades shared similar sentiments.
"He hasn’t done anything. Not a thing. The last time I saw him was when we put him in the House of Assembly and that was it. Since then I haven’t seen him," she said.
A second elderly woman who referred to herself as ‘Big Mama of Kennedy’ agreed and said she has not seen Mr. Gibson in the area since he became the MP.
While several of the residents simply complained about what Mr. Gibson is failing to do in the constituency, there were others who offered suggestions that they believe could make him a better representative.
"Just come around more often. Show your face and talk with the people; find out what’s going on with your constituents," a man who identified himself as Mr. Smith suggested.
"If you go riding around the area you will see children in the road. There’s nothing for them to do. I feel the MP should come up with some programmes or something for them to occupy their time and keep them from doing negative things," said a concerned constituent.
A young mother of one said the area’s main problem is the lack of jobs. She said Mr. Gibson should be doing what he can to change that.
"All of the young boys around here can’t find a job, and it’s been that way for years. I’m sure there’s some way Kenyatta can help them," she said.
Mr. Gibson resigned from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in January 2008.
A year later he crossed the floor to join the Free National Movement (FNM).
In the aftermath, many political pundits and parliamentarians criticised the move, accusing the Kennedy MP of committing "political fraud" and turning his back on his constituents.
While some people said the move played a part in their rating of Mr. Gibson, others said it had no effect.
"It’s a big concern of ours. He changed a whole party and didn’t even come around to explain anything to the constituents. Someone could have come around and said ‘this is what happened and this is why I made my decision’," said an enraged resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"We found out about the whole situation from the television. What message does that send to us?"
Her neighbour, however, disagreed and added that as long as an MP has the people in mind his or her party choice should not matter.
"We should be voting for the man or woman we want to represent us. He has the right to choose what party he wants to be with. If I put you there to represent me, just make sure you do that. FNM, PLP or whatever…just represent me," she said.
For some constituents it is too late for Mr. Gibson to regain their trust, but others say there is still time for him to get his act together.
At the end of the day Kennedy constituents said they are ready for a representative – whoever it may be – who will make a change in the area.
August 26th, 2010
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A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
