So why did Sir Stafford leave?
tribune242.com editorial:
WHY DID Sir Stafford Sands leave the Bahamas?
This is a question still debated today. The question is often answered with an air of great authority by those who haven't a clue what they are talking about. Anyone who lived during the sixties, but were not a part of the PLP brotherhood, would be a fool to ask such a question. They all knew what it meant to be ostracised, victimised, denied jobs reserved only for followers of the "Chief", and verbally abused. Many of them, both black and white, packed their bags and left.
Even Krissy Love, host of the radio talk show "Issues of the Day", whose topic was the dispute over Sir Stafford's image being put on and then taken off the $10 bill, admitted that her family was one of those who also left the Bahamas during that period. In the sixties, she said, her parents could not deal with the way black people were being treated by the new black regime. Yet, Sir Stafford Sands, a white man, is called a traitor because he also left, only to return in death. Krissy wanted to know if her family would be tarred with the same "traitor" brush. The caller to her show fumbled, but did not answer.
Another caller, following the same trend of thought, felt that if a person were a part of a defeated government, then left the country because they were displeased with the loss, that person would be the traitor. At times when we listen to some of the callers to these radio talk shows, we often wonder what God was thinking when he was so stingy in his distribution of common sense.
It has been said that when Sir Stafford left for Europe he swore he would never return to the Bahamas. That is not true.
On the floor of the House when the Speaker read Sir Stafford's resignation to members, Sir Lynden denounced him, charging that he was "obliged to run" from the Bahamas because he was a "total embarrassment to his party." That also was not true. On another occasion, Arthur Hanna, recently retired governor-general, declared that Sir Stafford left because "he wanted nothing to do with a country run by blacks." Again not true. It was a claim made against a man, who unlike his social peers, did not attend the then exclusive all white Queen's College as a student. He was educated with black students at Government High School -- the same school later attended by Lynden Pindling. Sir Stafford had made it clear that he had every intention of returning home every year. "I will always be available to work for the party during the time when I am in Nassau each year," he said.
Around the 1967 election Sir Stafford was not a well man. A chain smoker, he suffered from a serious bronchial condition. In April of that year he spent six weeks in Miami for treatment of his problem. That was three months before he announced his resignation from the House. But soon after the PLP became the government in January of that year, a reign of terror had been started against Sir Stafford.
In May his wife had had enough. She made a statement in The Tribune that their home, "Waterloo", was not for sale. She said she was "sick and tired" of the harassing calls she was receiving. She wanted her tormentors to know that she and her husband were not selling their home, but intended "to stay and reside in it."
Up until the day of his resignation from the House, Sir Stafford, who had given up his law practice mainly for health reasons, had every intention of spending his winters in the Bahamas. And so, he didn't leave because he was a traitor, he was driven from his country by a hate-filled, racist government and its supporters. He no longer felt safe in a country for which he had worked so hard, but which his tormentors unjustly accused him of "raping."
On the floor of the House another uncouth member of the PLP accused Sir Stafford "and his gang of gangsters and hoodlums" of causing Bahamians to suffer. "He should be brought back here, put into a barrel of tar and rolled into a pit of fire for what he has done to the people of this country," said the PLP member from the floor of the House. This was one of this country's new legislators speaking.
No wonder there was a lot of unease in the country.
No wonder Sir Stafford and so many others-- both black and white -- packed their bags and left.
Just before their election victory, Sir Lynden had told the foreign press that if the PLP won the 1967 election his government would retain Sir Stafford as Minister of Tourism.
Their bitter anger over the years probably stemmed from the fact that they had lost their prize -- a prize that they had planned to use and abuse.
Five years after his resignation Sir Stafford died of cancer in the London Clinic in England.
There are Bahamians who maintain that he never came back to the Bahamas. He certainly came back to a Bahamas that he had no intention of ever leaving. He came back in a casket and is buried in the family plot in St Matthews cemetery.
There were callers to the Krissy Love show who wanted to know if Sir Stafford had any family left in the Bahamas. The answer is yes. This is his daughter's home, and the home of one of her two sons, Sir Stafford's grandson. They both live and work here. For them this is home, as it was home for their father and grandfather. And the vitriol that is now being spewed by the ignorant against the man they feel gave so much of himself to his country, brings them great pain.
May 12, 2010
tribune242
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.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
There is a "very, very high possibility" that oil will be found in Bahamian territory as a result of exploration currently underway
'Very high possibility' oil will be found in Bahamian territory
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
THERE is a "very, very high possibility" that oil will be found in Bahamian territory as a result of exploration currently underway, Environment Minister Earl Deveaux has said.
Meanwhile, the environment minister stated that the catastrophic consequences of the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will "directly affect (The Bahamas government's) approach" to how it manages any oil or gas resources that are discovered.
"We would have the top experts in the world advising us and would certainly look for the best in class to ensure our oversight of any oil exploration or drilling in The Bahamas is done with the highest safeguards," said Dr Deveaux.
He said his understanding about the likelihood of oil being found in Bahamian territory, where a number of companies currently hold licenses for such activity, is based on conversations he has had with persons involved in the industry, who have to come to his Ministry to seek permission to go ahead with exploration in The Bahamas, and from findings in neighbouring countries like Cuba.
Dr Deveaux said it would be "impractical and unreasonable" to say that the Bahamas would shy away from oil exploration or drilling as a consequence of the potentially environmentally-devastating oil spill that officials are currently seeking to contain off the coast of the US state of Louisiana.
"The world is not going to shy away from oil because of this accident. This is not the first or the last," he added.
While such comments may not be news to the ears of environmentally-conscious Bahamians who would fear the impact of an oil spill in Bahamian waters, other comments from the US Coast Guard official overseeing the Gulf of Mexico oil spill may be.
Commandant Admiral Thad Allen yesterday told the US-based CBS news show "Face the Nation" that there is at present a "very, very low probability" that the oil slick released from the Deepwater Horizon spill will travel around the Florida coast and affect the east coast of the United States.
Fears had been raised that if the slick were to come in contact with the "loop current" - a warm ocean current that moves clockwise through the Caribbean Basin to the Gulf of Mexico and then the Florida Straits - Bahamian waters and islands could be affected.
While the situation remains relatively unpredictable, Commandant Admiral Allen told the Sunday morning news show that the loop current "is significantly south of the southern edge of the spill right now."
"I think it is a very, very low probability it will be impacted," Allen added, noting that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is studying the issue. "It does not appear to be a threat right now," he said.
At present it is estimated that 5,000 barrels or 210,000 gallons of oil are being emitted from the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil well, following the explosion and subsequent collapse of the oil rig there, which is licensed to British energy company, British Petroleum.
Efforts to stymie the flow of the oil were setback over the weekend after plans to drop a 98 ton "containment dome" over the oil leak and siphon oil to the surface did not go as planned.
The placement of the dome was postponed after engineers noticed a build-up of crystallised gas inside the chamber.
Commandant Admiral Allen stated that officials are now considering using a "junk shot" to stem the flow of oil.
This would involve shooting a mix of debris - including shredded tyres and golf balls - into the well at high pressure to clog it.
Meanwhile, crews have begun to drill a relief well into which oil from the original well could be channelled, but this is estimated to take between one and a half to three months.
May 10, 2010
tribune242
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
THERE is a "very, very high possibility" that oil will be found in Bahamian territory as a result of exploration currently underway, Environment Minister Earl Deveaux has said.
Meanwhile, the environment minister stated that the catastrophic consequences of the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will "directly affect (The Bahamas government's) approach" to how it manages any oil or gas resources that are discovered.
"We would have the top experts in the world advising us and would certainly look for the best in class to ensure our oversight of any oil exploration or drilling in The Bahamas is done with the highest safeguards," said Dr Deveaux.
He said his understanding about the likelihood of oil being found in Bahamian territory, where a number of companies currently hold licenses for such activity, is based on conversations he has had with persons involved in the industry, who have to come to his Ministry to seek permission to go ahead with exploration in The Bahamas, and from findings in neighbouring countries like Cuba.
Dr Deveaux said it would be "impractical and unreasonable" to say that the Bahamas would shy away from oil exploration or drilling as a consequence of the potentially environmentally-devastating oil spill that officials are currently seeking to contain off the coast of the US state of Louisiana.
"The world is not going to shy away from oil because of this accident. This is not the first or the last," he added.
While such comments may not be news to the ears of environmentally-conscious Bahamians who would fear the impact of an oil spill in Bahamian waters, other comments from the US Coast Guard official overseeing the Gulf of Mexico oil spill may be.
Commandant Admiral Thad Allen yesterday told the US-based CBS news show "Face the Nation" that there is at present a "very, very low probability" that the oil slick released from the Deepwater Horizon spill will travel around the Florida coast and affect the east coast of the United States.
Fears had been raised that if the slick were to come in contact with the "loop current" - a warm ocean current that moves clockwise through the Caribbean Basin to the Gulf of Mexico and then the Florida Straits - Bahamian waters and islands could be affected.
While the situation remains relatively unpredictable, Commandant Admiral Allen told the Sunday morning news show that the loop current "is significantly south of the southern edge of the spill right now."
"I think it is a very, very low probability it will be impacted," Allen added, noting that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is studying the issue. "It does not appear to be a threat right now," he said.
At present it is estimated that 5,000 barrels or 210,000 gallons of oil are being emitted from the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil well, following the explosion and subsequent collapse of the oil rig there, which is licensed to British energy company, British Petroleum.
Efforts to stymie the flow of the oil were setback over the weekend after plans to drop a 98 ton "containment dome" over the oil leak and siphon oil to the surface did not go as planned.
The placement of the dome was postponed after engineers noticed a build-up of crystallised gas inside the chamber.
Commandant Admiral Allen stated that officials are now considering using a "junk shot" to stem the flow of oil.
This would involve shooting a mix of debris - including shredded tyres and golf balls - into the well at high pressure to clog it.
Meanwhile, crews have begun to drill a relief well into which oil from the original well could be channelled, but this is estimated to take between one and a half to three months.
May 10, 2010
tribune242
Monday, May 10, 2010
Lessons from the 'Mother of Parliaments'
tribune242 editorial:
THE pulsating and historic general election in Britain on May 6 has resulted in stalemate - a hung parliament which was last seen in that bastion of democracy more than 35 years ago.
In 1974, the Conservative incumbent prime minister, Edward Heath, was forced to resign after failing to secure a deal with the Liberals. With a slim lead over the Conservatives (also known as Tories), Labour leader Harold Wilson formed a new government. But, without sufficient support in the House of Commons, he had to call another election in October of the same year which he won with a tiny overall majority.
In Britain, proportional representation does not apply. So the political party with the most votes over all other parties is the outright winner under the first-past-the-post system. This avoids horse-trading and deal-making and is considered to produce strong governments with a mandate to take decisive action.
In last Thursday's election the Tories won 306 seats against Labour's 258 but failed to win an overall majority. The Liberal Democrats with 57 seats hold the balance of power together with the other minorities in a legislature of 650. According to latest reports, Labour has put out feelers to the Lib Dems. But an alliance between the two would still leave them without an overall majority and would require other deals with minorities like the Scottish National Party, the Greens and others.
More likely is a Conservative minority government or some sort of coalition between the Tories and the Lib Dems as long as they can reconcile, in the short term, their differences on major issues like the economy - notably, where to apply the necessary spending cuts to tackle the nation's huge debt and deficit - immigration, education, the European Union and (most significantly) electoral and other political reform. The Lib Dems have for long championed the introduction of proportional representation. Their gain at this election of some 23 per cent of the votes but only 8 per cent of the seats has strengthened that case.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has already spoken of the moral right of the Conservatives under David Cameron, with the largest share (36 per cent) of the popular vote and 47 more seats than Labour, to lead a new government. But without securing some form of accommodation (coalition or informal power-sharing alliance) with the minority parties he will not have a mandate in the House of Commons to govern.
Until he does so, under constitutional convention the incumbent prime minister, Gordon Brown, remains in power since the business of governance has to be maintained. While political deals are made, the government must continue to function. The money markets, not least, react badly to political instability.
As this fascinating drama of political intrigue and manoeuvre unfolds over the coming days, the controversial issue of proportional representation is likely to take centre stage; particularly if Cameron is forced to make concessions about electoral reform as the price for Clegg's political support.
There are already indications that a new cross-party parliamentary commission may be set the task of studying it and making recommendations. Nonetheless, introduction of proportional representation or some version of it is clearly a long way off. It appears to work in countries as diverse as Germany and New Zealand. But, whatever form it might take in Britain, it would represent a seismic shift in well-established electoral procedures and would probably require a referendum.
With our political system based on the Westminster model, are there lessons to be drawn from the British general election for the Bahamas and its body politic? A hung parliament demands greater cooperation among the political parties. A coalition government will be under greater pressure always to put the national interest first. Could such solidarity be translated in some way to politics in the Bahamas?
In our small country, where the ideological differences between the parties are not great, opposition politicians are nevertheless intent on trying to show their constituents that they are active. So they seem to criticise government policy and actions almost for the sake of doing so.
Certainly, they need to scrutinise what the government does and keep ministers in check. But there is room for less bickering and gratuitous criticism and, instead, for more cooperation in relation to issues which may be controversial but which need to be resolved for the sake of ordinary Bahamians.
Can attitudes in the Bahamas change and government become more inclusive for the benefit of us all? Can our own politicians be less confrontational and work together more effectively for the common good?
As events in London develop, there may indeed be lessons to be learnt by us here at home.
May 10, 2010
tribune242
THE pulsating and historic general election in Britain on May 6 has resulted in stalemate - a hung parliament which was last seen in that bastion of democracy more than 35 years ago.
In 1974, the Conservative incumbent prime minister, Edward Heath, was forced to resign after failing to secure a deal with the Liberals. With a slim lead over the Conservatives (also known as Tories), Labour leader Harold Wilson formed a new government. But, without sufficient support in the House of Commons, he had to call another election in October of the same year which he won with a tiny overall majority.
In Britain, proportional representation does not apply. So the political party with the most votes over all other parties is the outright winner under the first-past-the-post system. This avoids horse-trading and deal-making and is considered to produce strong governments with a mandate to take decisive action.
In last Thursday's election the Tories won 306 seats against Labour's 258 but failed to win an overall majority. The Liberal Democrats with 57 seats hold the balance of power together with the other minorities in a legislature of 650. According to latest reports, Labour has put out feelers to the Lib Dems. But an alliance between the two would still leave them without an overall majority and would require other deals with minorities like the Scottish National Party, the Greens and others.
More likely is a Conservative minority government or some sort of coalition between the Tories and the Lib Dems as long as they can reconcile, in the short term, their differences on major issues like the economy - notably, where to apply the necessary spending cuts to tackle the nation's huge debt and deficit - immigration, education, the European Union and (most significantly) electoral and other political reform. The Lib Dems have for long championed the introduction of proportional representation. Their gain at this election of some 23 per cent of the votes but only 8 per cent of the seats has strengthened that case.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has already spoken of the moral right of the Conservatives under David Cameron, with the largest share (36 per cent) of the popular vote and 47 more seats than Labour, to lead a new government. But without securing some form of accommodation (coalition or informal power-sharing alliance) with the minority parties he will not have a mandate in the House of Commons to govern.
Until he does so, under constitutional convention the incumbent prime minister, Gordon Brown, remains in power since the business of governance has to be maintained. While political deals are made, the government must continue to function. The money markets, not least, react badly to political instability.
As this fascinating drama of political intrigue and manoeuvre unfolds over the coming days, the controversial issue of proportional representation is likely to take centre stage; particularly if Cameron is forced to make concessions about electoral reform as the price for Clegg's political support.
There are already indications that a new cross-party parliamentary commission may be set the task of studying it and making recommendations. Nonetheless, introduction of proportional representation or some version of it is clearly a long way off. It appears to work in countries as diverse as Germany and New Zealand. But, whatever form it might take in Britain, it would represent a seismic shift in well-established electoral procedures and would probably require a referendum.
With our political system based on the Westminster model, are there lessons to be drawn from the British general election for the Bahamas and its body politic? A hung parliament demands greater cooperation among the political parties. A coalition government will be under greater pressure always to put the national interest first. Could such solidarity be translated in some way to politics in the Bahamas?
In our small country, where the ideological differences between the parties are not great, opposition politicians are nevertheless intent on trying to show their constituents that they are active. So they seem to criticise government policy and actions almost for the sake of doing so.
Certainly, they need to scrutinise what the government does and keep ministers in check. But there is room for less bickering and gratuitous criticism and, instead, for more cooperation in relation to issues which may be controversial but which need to be resolved for the sake of ordinary Bahamians.
Can attitudes in the Bahamas change and government become more inclusive for the benefit of us all? Can our own politicians be less confrontational and work together more effectively for the common good?
As events in London develop, there may indeed be lessons to be learnt by us here at home.
May 10, 2010
tribune242
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Telecoms 'ripe' for increased taxation says former Chamber of Commerce president Dionisio D'Aguilar
Telecoms 'ripe' for more taxes
By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor:
Telecommunications is an industry "ripe" for increased taxation, a former Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urging the Government to "come up with innovative ways" to raise revenue by increasing fees on industries that paid "negligible taxes", such as banks/trust companies and the numbers business.
Suggesting that the Government impose a 1-2 per cent tax on making/receiving telephone calls, which is effectively a Bahamian national pasttime, Dionisio D'Aguilar said that if the Ingraham administration sought to raise revenues in its 2010-2011 Budget, it needed to look at fee increases that had the "least effect on the average person in the street".
Urging the Government to "come up with innovative ways to raise additional revenues", Mr D'Aguilar, who is also Superwash's president, told Tribune Business: "There are sectors of our economy that pay negligible taxes. Telecoms, that's a ripe one. Everyone pays a tax on their incoming calls. That's a totally undertaxed sector."
Mr D'Aguilar said such telecoms taxes were already levied in many other countries, and said a 1-2 per cent tax on telephone calls was "negligible to the consumer", especially since many Bahamians treated their cellular phones as a luxury.
Adding that he disagreed with fellow businessman Franklyn Wilson, who yesterday told Tribune Business that legalising gaming would result in net outflows from the Public Treasury, as a result of "gambling breeding poverty" and other adverse social consequences, Mr D'Aguilar said taxing the numbers business would raise millions of dollars per year in government revenue.
"Banks tend to be under-taxed compared to other businesses," he added. "It's a heavily under-taxed industry" compared to the income that Bahamian banks and trust companies generated per annum.
Mr D'Aguilar also pointed out that the Government was "not taxing services one bit", even though this was the sector accounting for the largest amount of economic activity in the Bahamas. He suggested, though, that the Ingraham administration was unlikely to do anything about this in the 2010-2011 Budget, and was likely to save it for a more comprehensive introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT).
"All you're looking at are fees, raising revenues from avenues that have the least effect on the average person in the street," Mr D'Aguilar said of the Government's efforts to plug the fiscal deficit and reduce the national debt.
"Look at the whole fee structure. There's a whole host of fees that are charged, but have not been amended, for four million years.
"They have to look at taxes that are easy to collect. Gasoline taxes are easy to collect because they are paid at the border when the fuel comes in. But property taxes are a nightmare to collect. Increasing property taxes could increase revenue, but not the Government's cash flow. And that's what we need to increase.
"The Government will not be able to get increased taxes from its traditional sources. Import duties are already high enough."
While all Bahamian governments were reluctant to cut spending and reduce the size of government, the former Chamber president suggested that the Ingraham administration now had to seize the moment offered by a public mood that was more prepared for austerity measures, and set the public finances back on track.
Arguing that the Government would find it impossible to accommodate the wishes of the likes of the Nassau Institute, which would like to see departments closed down and employees released, Mr D'Aguilar suggested that the administration "tackle" the generous pensions and benefits civil servants/public sector employees enjoyed.
Emphasising that this did not involve changes to basic salaries, the former Chamber president said: "They've got to get their house back in order. We don't want to go the way of the Greeks.
"The Government needs to look at the generous benefits it gives its employees. Salaries are one thing, but those generous and lucrative defined benefit pension plans for public sector workers and civil servants have to be tackled. That whole issue has to be tackled, as it will come home to roost one day."
May 07, 2010
tribune242
By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor:
Telecommunications is an industry "ripe" for increased taxation, a former Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urging the Government to "come up with innovative ways" to raise revenue by increasing fees on industries that paid "negligible taxes", such as banks/trust companies and the numbers business.
Suggesting that the Government impose a 1-2 per cent tax on making/receiving telephone calls, which is effectively a Bahamian national pasttime, Dionisio D'Aguilar said that if the Ingraham administration sought to raise revenues in its 2010-2011 Budget, it needed to look at fee increases that had the "least effect on the average person in the street".
Urging the Government to "come up with innovative ways to raise additional revenues", Mr D'Aguilar, who is also Superwash's president, told Tribune Business: "There are sectors of our economy that pay negligible taxes. Telecoms, that's a ripe one. Everyone pays a tax on their incoming calls. That's a totally undertaxed sector."
Mr D'Aguilar said such telecoms taxes were already levied in many other countries, and said a 1-2 per cent tax on telephone calls was "negligible to the consumer", especially since many Bahamians treated their cellular phones as a luxury.
Adding that he disagreed with fellow businessman Franklyn Wilson, who yesterday told Tribune Business that legalising gaming would result in net outflows from the Public Treasury, as a result of "gambling breeding poverty" and other adverse social consequences, Mr D'Aguilar said taxing the numbers business would raise millions of dollars per year in government revenue.
"Banks tend to be under-taxed compared to other businesses," he added. "It's a heavily under-taxed industry" compared to the income that Bahamian banks and trust companies generated per annum.
Mr D'Aguilar also pointed out that the Government was "not taxing services one bit", even though this was the sector accounting for the largest amount of economic activity in the Bahamas. He suggested, though, that the Ingraham administration was unlikely to do anything about this in the 2010-2011 Budget, and was likely to save it for a more comprehensive introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT).
"All you're looking at are fees, raising revenues from avenues that have the least effect on the average person in the street," Mr D'Aguilar said of the Government's efforts to plug the fiscal deficit and reduce the national debt.
"Look at the whole fee structure. There's a whole host of fees that are charged, but have not been amended, for four million years.
"They have to look at taxes that are easy to collect. Gasoline taxes are easy to collect because they are paid at the border when the fuel comes in. But property taxes are a nightmare to collect. Increasing property taxes could increase revenue, but not the Government's cash flow. And that's what we need to increase.
"The Government will not be able to get increased taxes from its traditional sources. Import duties are already high enough."
While all Bahamian governments were reluctant to cut spending and reduce the size of government, the former Chamber president suggested that the Ingraham administration now had to seize the moment offered by a public mood that was more prepared for austerity measures, and set the public finances back on track.
Arguing that the Government would find it impossible to accommodate the wishes of the likes of the Nassau Institute, which would like to see departments closed down and employees released, Mr D'Aguilar suggested that the administration "tackle" the generous pensions and benefits civil servants/public sector employees enjoyed.
Emphasising that this did not involve changes to basic salaries, the former Chamber president said: "They've got to get their house back in order. We don't want to go the way of the Greeks.
"The Government needs to look at the generous benefits it gives its employees. Salaries are one thing, but those generous and lucrative defined benefit pension plans for public sector workers and civil servants have to be tackled. That whole issue has to be tackled, as it will come home to roost one day."
May 07, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Sir Stafford Sands image on The Bahamas' $10 banknote... debate rages on
Sir Stafford Sands on $10 debate rages on
tribune242:
THE DEBATE continued earlier this week over the government's decision to return the image of Sir Stafford Sands to the Bahamas' $10 banknote, replacing the image of Queen Elizabeth II.
On ZNS' Issues of the Day radio programme hosted by Krissy Love, callers voiced their support and condemnation of the government's idea as the show engaged in a wider discussion on race relations in the Bahamas.
One caller, identified as Eric said that Sir Stafford should not have been taken off the $10 bill in the first place by the PLP as he did more for the Bahamas in tourism than any other one person.
Another caller said that he did not see why the debate is continuing to be waged as Sir Stafford clearly had done much for the Bahamas.
Early in the week, opposition spokesman for Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell condemned the FNM's decision to return the image of Sir Stafford to the $10 bill after it has been taken off during the PLP administration.
Although generally recognised as the "principal architect" of the modern Bahamas economy, Mr Mitchell said that if the PLP were to regain the government in 2012, this decision would be one that would be reversed once again.
"I think it's an inappropriate tempting of fate in the face of the earlier dispute, and my position is the same; he should not be on the $10 bill, and that it should be removed if there is an opportunity for the PLP to do so at some future point," the Fox Hill MP said.
However, another caller on Issues of the Day said that if persons have contributed to the building of the nation - post 1973 -- they should be the ones who are considered for being placed on the nation's currency.
"Now as far as it pertains to Sir Stafford and his legacy to the entire Bahamas, his contribution is massive. So if they want to erect a bust of him over at the Treasury Department, the Central Bank, or the Ministry of Tourism, or whatever other areas where he played a significant role; name buildings after him," he said.
Another caller, identified as Pauper said that Bahamians need to mature and understand that while Sir Stafford was not a perfect man, he, like Sir Lynden Pindling, had made a tremendous contribution to the Bahamas and should be honoured as such.
"I think we need to grow up and be politically more mature. I don't know the reason, Krissy, like you said why they took him off the bill. I didn't have a problem when they put him on it. See. Krissy, I understand this to be us celebrating the good about Sir Stafford Sands.
"Sir Stafford Sands wasn't perfect. Sir Lynden wasn't perfect, but he is still on the dollar bill.
"So let's celebrate, grow up and be mature.
"Don't worry about all the bad things that Sir Stafford Sands did, and how the majority of us might be black and some of them was white. Let's think about the good that Sir Stafford do and the good what Sir Lynden do. That is why we put them there," he said.
The well-known caller continued to plead for Bahamians to move away from the black and white issue as the racism "baggage" needs to be dropped so that the populace can be "mentally freed."
May 07, 2010
tribune242
tribune242:
THE DEBATE continued earlier this week over the government's decision to return the image of Sir Stafford Sands to the Bahamas' $10 banknote, replacing the image of Queen Elizabeth II.
On ZNS' Issues of the Day radio programme hosted by Krissy Love, callers voiced their support and condemnation of the government's idea as the show engaged in a wider discussion on race relations in the Bahamas.
One caller, identified as Eric said that Sir Stafford should not have been taken off the $10 bill in the first place by the PLP as he did more for the Bahamas in tourism than any other one person.
Another caller said that he did not see why the debate is continuing to be waged as Sir Stafford clearly had done much for the Bahamas.
Early in the week, opposition spokesman for Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell condemned the FNM's decision to return the image of Sir Stafford to the $10 bill after it has been taken off during the PLP administration.
Although generally recognised as the "principal architect" of the modern Bahamas economy, Mr Mitchell said that if the PLP were to regain the government in 2012, this decision would be one that would be reversed once again.
"I think it's an inappropriate tempting of fate in the face of the earlier dispute, and my position is the same; he should not be on the $10 bill, and that it should be removed if there is an opportunity for the PLP to do so at some future point," the Fox Hill MP said.
However, another caller on Issues of the Day said that if persons have contributed to the building of the nation - post 1973 -- they should be the ones who are considered for being placed on the nation's currency.
"Now as far as it pertains to Sir Stafford and his legacy to the entire Bahamas, his contribution is massive. So if they want to erect a bust of him over at the Treasury Department, the Central Bank, or the Ministry of Tourism, or whatever other areas where he played a significant role; name buildings after him," he said.
Another caller, identified as Pauper said that Bahamians need to mature and understand that while Sir Stafford was not a perfect man, he, like Sir Lynden Pindling, had made a tremendous contribution to the Bahamas and should be honoured as such.
"I think we need to grow up and be politically more mature. I don't know the reason, Krissy, like you said why they took him off the bill. I didn't have a problem when they put him on it. See. Krissy, I understand this to be us celebrating the good about Sir Stafford Sands.
"Sir Stafford Sands wasn't perfect. Sir Lynden wasn't perfect, but he is still on the dollar bill.
"So let's celebrate, grow up and be mature.
"Don't worry about all the bad things that Sir Stafford Sands did, and how the majority of us might be black and some of them was white. Let's think about the good that Sir Stafford do and the good what Sir Lynden do. That is why we put them there," he said.
The well-known caller continued to plead for Bahamians to move away from the black and white issue as the racism "baggage" needs to be dropped so that the populace can be "mentally freed."
May 07, 2010
tribune242
Friday, May 7, 2010
Bahamians Should Be Concern About Lost Opportunities because of the country’s unqualified workforce says Senator Michael Pintard
Bahamians Should Be Concern About Lost Opportunities
BY KENDENO N. KNOWLES:
Bahamians should be concerned about the number of job opportunities being lost because of the country’s unqualified workforce, according to Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Michael Pintard.
He was making his contribution to the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) Bill debate in the upper chamber yesterday.
The senator said foreigners are constantly being brought in to take on thousands of local job opportunities – something he says Bahamians should be concerned about.
Mr. Pintard was referring to the 5,000 plus Chinese workers that Baha Mar Resort is planning to bring in for construction on the mega luxury resort property.
"It is with some distress that I heard recently the intention of one of the developments in The Bahamas to import a large number of foreign workers," Mr. Pintard said.
Baha Mar officials recently confirmed that the Chinese workers were being brought into the country in stages to carry out specialty work, which executives claim Bahamian workers are unable to carry out.
"At the time when Atlantis was in its early stages of its development the identical statement was made, which I also heard recently. [That statement by developers of the new resort property] pointed to the fact that there were not enough qualified Bahamians to populate the various positions," Mr. Pintard said.
"If this is the case then all of us have good reason to be concerned because the development pattern of this country is such that we must have seen additional developments such as the one coming on stream."
He questioned why there has not been anything done in order to prepare Bahamians to take advantage of these opportunities.
"I recall quite distinctly drywall courses being offered at BTVI in conjunction with Atlantis to create a cadre of workers in order to take advantage of the opportunity and any other subsequent opportunities," he said.
"Again, it is crucial that we never find ourselves in a similar position in the future. It is my hope that in the execution of what emerges from this bill that we put ourselves in a position where we carefully assess the emerging needs on the horizon in order to prepare our population to be the chief benefactor of these opportunities. BTVI must also continue to deepen its relationship with industry partners locally, nationally and internationally. Luckily this wonderful bill speaks specifically to this issue."
He continued: "It is important for us to train persons to populate all fields in technical and vocational areas, including the fields that others are claiming we do not have the requisite skills."
May 6, 2010
jonesbahamas
BY KENDENO N. KNOWLES:
Bahamians should be concerned about the number of job opportunities being lost because of the country’s unqualified workforce, according to Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Michael Pintard.
He was making his contribution to the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) Bill debate in the upper chamber yesterday.
The senator said foreigners are constantly being brought in to take on thousands of local job opportunities – something he says Bahamians should be concerned about.
Mr. Pintard was referring to the 5,000 plus Chinese workers that Baha Mar Resort is planning to bring in for construction on the mega luxury resort property.
"It is with some distress that I heard recently the intention of one of the developments in The Bahamas to import a large number of foreign workers," Mr. Pintard said.
Baha Mar officials recently confirmed that the Chinese workers were being brought into the country in stages to carry out specialty work, which executives claim Bahamian workers are unable to carry out.
"At the time when Atlantis was in its early stages of its development the identical statement was made, which I also heard recently. [That statement by developers of the new resort property] pointed to the fact that there were not enough qualified Bahamians to populate the various positions," Mr. Pintard said.
"If this is the case then all of us have good reason to be concerned because the development pattern of this country is such that we must have seen additional developments such as the one coming on stream."
He questioned why there has not been anything done in order to prepare Bahamians to take advantage of these opportunities.
"I recall quite distinctly drywall courses being offered at BTVI in conjunction with Atlantis to create a cadre of workers in order to take advantage of the opportunity and any other subsequent opportunities," he said.
"Again, it is crucial that we never find ourselves in a similar position in the future. It is my hope that in the execution of what emerges from this bill that we put ourselves in a position where we carefully assess the emerging needs on the horizon in order to prepare our population to be the chief benefactor of these opportunities. BTVI must also continue to deepen its relationship with industry partners locally, nationally and internationally. Luckily this wonderful bill speaks specifically to this issue."
He continued: "It is important for us to train persons to populate all fields in technical and vocational areas, including the fields that others are claiming we do not have the requisite skills."
May 6, 2010
jonesbahamas
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Confidential report: water plant would have made $4m loss with Bahamian group BK Water
Confidential report: water plant would have made $4m loss with Bahamian group
By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor:
A CONFIDENTIAL review conducted for former Prime Minister Perry Christie on the "faulty and chaotic" bidding process for the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant found that there would have been "a loss of $4-$5 million" during the plant's life had the Water & Sewerage Corporation gone with a Bahamian investor group's bid.
The January 25, 2006, review carried out for Mr Christie by financial advisor Deepak Bhatnagar described the "introduction" of BK Water - a group headed by current PLP Senator Jerome Fitzgerald and Mark Finlayson - into the bidding process, and the issuance of a conditional acceptance of its offer, as "not in order", citing numerous reasons.
The report detailed how then-Water & Sewerage Corporation general manager, Abraham Butler, on November 8, 2005, made a recommendation that BK Water be awarded the Arawak Cay contract following a November 4, 2005, meeting with "the Hon. Minister of Works" who, at the time, was Bradley Roberts.
Mr Bhatnagar's report indicates that the November 4, 2005, meeting was designed to see how any obstacles preventing the award of the contract to BK Water - whose members are well-known PLP members and supporters - could be overcome.
"The (November 4) meeting 'authorised' a second review to permit administrators and the accountants of Water & Sewerage to evaluate differences or variations that 'prevents the execution of a contract between Water & Sewerage Corporation and BK/Veolia'," Mr Bhatnagar's report said.
Following these goings on, Mr Butler on November 11, 2005, sent a letter informing BK Water that it had won the Arawak Cay contract subject to Cabinet approval. Such approval was not forthcoming.
Mr Bhatnagar's report appears to contradict assertions by Mr Roberts that he had no involvement with the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant contract, referring to "discussions held on price, technical and legal issues" involving the Veolia/BK Water bid that were followed "by a meeting between Water & Sewerage, Veolia and the Minister of Works on October 7, 2005."
As a result: "Minister (Mr Roberts) instructed both parties to resume discussions and resolve by October 14, 2005, inclusive of a revised pricing policy by Veolia." BK Water was Veolia's Bahamian partner.
And Mr Bhatnagar's report refers to "further discussions held between Veolia, Minister and chairman in Barbados" at a conference, with a revised proposal received from Veolia/BK Water on October 19, 2005.
The report seems at odds with Mr Roberts' claims that allegations linking him to negotiations with Veolia/BK Water over the Arawak Cay plant were "utter BS".
"In general, it appears that the procedure followed in consideration of the bids by the Board and management of Water & Sewerage for the Arawak plant is faulty and chaotic, and I have detailed my findings based on my examination of the Board Minutes, which indicates that there is no proper record of consideration of the bids and/or approval of the bids right up to the issuance of the conditional letter of acceptance to BK Water," Mr Bhatnagar told the then-Prime Minister.
"A similar faulty procedure was followed in the Blue Hills reverse osmosis plant project, whereby at one stage Biwater was agreed to be issued a letter of acceptance. This has resulted in Water & Sewerage having to face litigation from Biwater in the form of an injunction."
Outlining the confused bidding process for the contract to build and operate the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant, which would sell water to the Water & Sewerage Corporation, Mr Bhatnagar's report details how the original process was annulled on June 22, 2005, by the Corporation's Board. Instructions were then issued to negotiate with Veolia.
No mention was made of BK Water at this point, reflecting the Board's desire to deal with Veolia instead. It wanted to develop a strategic partnership with "a viable organisation", and Mr Bhatnagar said: "This surely meant the Board was to create a strategic partnership with Veolia and not BK.
"The latter was formed only for the purpose of the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant, and does not have any track record either in the Bahamas or internationally. As per letter from Higgs & Johnson, BK Water is controlled by Messrs Jerome Fitzgerald, Mark Finlayson, Prince Wallace and Judson Wilmott."
Handing the contract to BK did not meet the "strategic partnership with a viable international organisation" condition, Mr Bhatnagar wrote, because Veolia would not be involved in the Arawak Cay plant's operations. Nor was there a true joint venture partnership between BK Water and Veolia, but a contractor/sub-contractor relationship.
"The Board ought to have pursued negotiations with Veolia," Mr Bhatnagar concluded.
"But the process got polluted with the emergence of BK Water and Board's entertaining to deal with BK Water rather than Veolia.
"The focus of forming a 'strategic partnership with an international company' was altogether lost."
May 06, 2010
tribune242
By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor:
A CONFIDENTIAL review conducted for former Prime Minister Perry Christie on the "faulty and chaotic" bidding process for the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant found that there would have been "a loss of $4-$5 million" during the plant's life had the Water & Sewerage Corporation gone with a Bahamian investor group's bid.
The January 25, 2006, review carried out for Mr Christie by financial advisor Deepak Bhatnagar described the "introduction" of BK Water - a group headed by current PLP Senator Jerome Fitzgerald and Mark Finlayson - into the bidding process, and the issuance of a conditional acceptance of its offer, as "not in order", citing numerous reasons.
The report detailed how then-Water & Sewerage Corporation general manager, Abraham Butler, on November 8, 2005, made a recommendation that BK Water be awarded the Arawak Cay contract following a November 4, 2005, meeting with "the Hon. Minister of Works" who, at the time, was Bradley Roberts.
Mr Bhatnagar's report indicates that the November 4, 2005, meeting was designed to see how any obstacles preventing the award of the contract to BK Water - whose members are well-known PLP members and supporters - could be overcome.
"The (November 4) meeting 'authorised' a second review to permit administrators and the accountants of Water & Sewerage to evaluate differences or variations that 'prevents the execution of a contract between Water & Sewerage Corporation and BK/Veolia'," Mr Bhatnagar's report said.
Following these goings on, Mr Butler on November 11, 2005, sent a letter informing BK Water that it had won the Arawak Cay contract subject to Cabinet approval. Such approval was not forthcoming.
Mr Bhatnagar's report appears to contradict assertions by Mr Roberts that he had no involvement with the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant contract, referring to "discussions held on price, technical and legal issues" involving the Veolia/BK Water bid that were followed "by a meeting between Water & Sewerage, Veolia and the Minister of Works on October 7, 2005."
As a result: "Minister (Mr Roberts) instructed both parties to resume discussions and resolve by October 14, 2005, inclusive of a revised pricing policy by Veolia." BK Water was Veolia's Bahamian partner.
And Mr Bhatnagar's report refers to "further discussions held between Veolia, Minister and chairman in Barbados" at a conference, with a revised proposal received from Veolia/BK Water on October 19, 2005.
The report seems at odds with Mr Roberts' claims that allegations linking him to negotiations with Veolia/BK Water over the Arawak Cay plant were "utter BS".
"In general, it appears that the procedure followed in consideration of the bids by the Board and management of Water & Sewerage for the Arawak plant is faulty and chaotic, and I have detailed my findings based on my examination of the Board Minutes, which indicates that there is no proper record of consideration of the bids and/or approval of the bids right up to the issuance of the conditional letter of acceptance to BK Water," Mr Bhatnagar told the then-Prime Minister.
"A similar faulty procedure was followed in the Blue Hills reverse osmosis plant project, whereby at one stage Biwater was agreed to be issued a letter of acceptance. This has resulted in Water & Sewerage having to face litigation from Biwater in the form of an injunction."
Outlining the confused bidding process for the contract to build and operate the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant, which would sell water to the Water & Sewerage Corporation, Mr Bhatnagar's report details how the original process was annulled on June 22, 2005, by the Corporation's Board. Instructions were then issued to negotiate with Veolia.
No mention was made of BK Water at this point, reflecting the Board's desire to deal with Veolia instead. It wanted to develop a strategic partnership with "a viable organisation", and Mr Bhatnagar said: "This surely meant the Board was to create a strategic partnership with Veolia and not BK.
"The latter was formed only for the purpose of the Arawak Cay reverse osmosis plant, and does not have any track record either in the Bahamas or internationally. As per letter from Higgs & Johnson, BK Water is controlled by Messrs Jerome Fitzgerald, Mark Finlayson, Prince Wallace and Judson Wilmott."
Handing the contract to BK did not meet the "strategic partnership with a viable international organisation" condition, Mr Bhatnagar wrote, because Veolia would not be involved in the Arawak Cay plant's operations. Nor was there a true joint venture partnership between BK Water and Veolia, but a contractor/sub-contractor relationship.
"The Board ought to have pursued negotiations with Veolia," Mr Bhatnagar concluded.
"But the process got polluted with the emergence of BK Water and Board's entertaining to deal with BK Water rather than Veolia.
"The focus of forming a 'strategic partnership with an international company' was altogether lost."
May 06, 2010
tribune242
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