IS BRANVILLE MCCARTNEY READY TO LEAD FNM?
thenassauguardian editorial
There seems to be a lot of talk these days about Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney taking over the leadership of the Free National Movement, and running for the post of prime minister.
At the outset, it should be pointed out that McCartney may have a long way to go before he finds himself ready for that position.
As far as becoming the leader for the FNM, well, let's just say while that road may be shorter than the one that leads to prime minister status, young McCartney may find the way to the FNM leadership to be an uphill battle.
His recent suggestions for the prime minister to"pass the baton"to a new generation of politicians reveals his thinking on the matter.
But does Branville McCartney have what it takes to take over the leadership of the party and eventually become the next prime minister of the country? Some say he hasn't paid his dues in politics yet and has to tow the line.
During a recent news conference at the House of Assembly, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham when asked about possible challenges to his leadership of the FNM, said that he had no problems with anyone who wished to challenge him.
He added that he had no problems handing over the leadership of the party and going back into retirement, where he was when the party brought him back into front-line politics.
It may have seemed easy for the prime minister to say that, but anyone who knows him knows he won't sit back and be dictated to. In fact, Hubert Ingraham is infamous for his "take charge" personality.
It's probably part of what makes him a leader.
In spite of what he says, Hubert Ingraham will not allow just anyone to take over the FNM party, even if he's stepping down. He will no doubt have a say in who eventually runs the party.
But should that baton be handed to McCartney?
Hypothetically, let's imagine who would get the leadership of the Free National Movement if Prime Minister Ingraham chooses to move back into retirement.
Who are the possibles for leadership in the party - Zhivargo Laing, Brent Symonette, Neko Grant, Kenneth Russell, Tommy Turnquest, Carl Bethel, Dr. Hubert Minnis, Branville McCartney?
Do any of those names ring a bell for FNM leadership? Or does Ingraham have someone else in mind?
The public push of Branville McCartney for leadership and prime ministership does not in any way move Prime Minister Ingraham.
10/4/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
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.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Branville McCartney: It does not make "good political sense" for the Bahamian people to know - at the last minute - who will lead the Free National Movement (FNM) into the next general election
FNM 'SHOULD NOT LEAVE LEADERSHIP DECISION UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE'
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
IT does not make "good political sense" for the country not to not know who will lead the Free National Movement into the next general election until the last minute, said Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney.
His comments came on the heels of a decision by the Free National Movement's national council not to hold a convention until 2011 - months before the next general election. It was speculated that if the party held a convention this year, Mr McCartney would have been nominated to challenge Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for the party's top spot, a nomination the former Cabinet minister has said he would accept.
Earlier, Mr Ingraham said the party's convention would be held on November 5, 2010, but on Wednesday he announced that he advised the council not to hold the event, citing financial challenges as a main reason.
The final decision was up to the council's vote, said Mr Ingraham, but some political observers see it as a way to block Mr McCartney from a leadership bid.
Yesterday Mr McCartney said he was fine with the council's decision, which indicates the party is satisfied with its current leadership.
"That is the voice of the party, the party has indicated what they wanted," he told The Tribune. "It would be good to know where the party is headed and not to wait for the last minute to determine where the party is headed and how the leadership team will look. That in my view doesn't make good political sense but I guess the party understands, and if the party wishes to go forward with the same leadership slate, that's fine."
Mr Ingraham has said he will announce at the end of the year whether or not he plans to offer himself as leader of the party leading up to the next general election which is slated for 2012.
Mr McCartney added that, despite some reports, he is not actively seeking an opportunity to grab the leadership of the party, but would not shy away from the opportunity if it arose.
"Some people say out there that I am looking for (the FNM's) leadership. I have always said that if I am given the opportunity - I cannot nominate myself - that's for the people of the FNM to do, not me. If I am given the opportunity I would welcome it."
He said the country has had 40 years of the same politics adding it is time for a shift in mindset.
"I do think we need to move on by way of our mindset. Our mindset has not changed for 40 years. We need to take it to another level, start thinking outside the box."
Aside from himself he said there are others within the party who are also fit to lead - such as Education Minister Desmond Bannister, State Finance Minister Zhirvargo Laing, Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and former leader of the FNM, National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest.
Mr McCartney, former state immigration minister, resigned from Cabinet earlier this year, but remains a member of the FNM.
October 02, 2010
tribune242
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
IT does not make "good political sense" for the country not to not know who will lead the Free National Movement into the next general election until the last minute, said Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney.
His comments came on the heels of a decision by the Free National Movement's national council not to hold a convention until 2011 - months before the next general election. It was speculated that if the party held a convention this year, Mr McCartney would have been nominated to challenge Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for the party's top spot, a nomination the former Cabinet minister has said he would accept.
Earlier, Mr Ingraham said the party's convention would be held on November 5, 2010, but on Wednesday he announced that he advised the council not to hold the event, citing financial challenges as a main reason.
The final decision was up to the council's vote, said Mr Ingraham, but some political observers see it as a way to block Mr McCartney from a leadership bid.
Yesterday Mr McCartney said he was fine with the council's decision, which indicates the party is satisfied with its current leadership.
"That is the voice of the party, the party has indicated what they wanted," he told The Tribune. "It would be good to know where the party is headed and not to wait for the last minute to determine where the party is headed and how the leadership team will look. That in my view doesn't make good political sense but I guess the party understands, and if the party wishes to go forward with the same leadership slate, that's fine."
Mr Ingraham has said he will announce at the end of the year whether or not he plans to offer himself as leader of the party leading up to the next general election which is slated for 2012.
Mr McCartney added that, despite some reports, he is not actively seeking an opportunity to grab the leadership of the party, but would not shy away from the opportunity if it arose.
"Some people say out there that I am looking for (the FNM's) leadership. I have always said that if I am given the opportunity - I cannot nominate myself - that's for the people of the FNM to do, not me. If I am given the opportunity I would welcome it."
He said the country has had 40 years of the same politics adding it is time for a shift in mindset.
"I do think we need to move on by way of our mindset. Our mindset has not changed for 40 years. We need to take it to another level, start thinking outside the box."
Aside from himself he said there are others within the party who are also fit to lead - such as Education Minister Desmond Bannister, State Finance Minister Zhirvargo Laing, Health Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and former leader of the FNM, National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest.
Mr McCartney, former state immigration minister, resigned from Cabinet earlier this year, but remains a member of the FNM.
October 02, 2010
tribune242
Sunday, October 3, 2010
West End and Bimini Constituents “Not Pleased” with their Member of Parliament - Obie Wilchcombe
Is Your MP Performing: West End, Bimini Constituents “Not Pleased”
By Sasha L. Lightbourne
It seems as if West End and Bimini Member of Parliament, Obie Wilchcombe has a lot of work to do if he plans to offer himself as a candidate for that constituency in the next general election.
The Bahama Journal began its weekly series entitled "Is Your MP Performing" several weeks ago.
When asked whether Mr. Wilchcombe was performing several residents said that their MP was not.
Megan McKenzie, a resident of West End, Grand Bahama told the Journal recently that she "rarely" sees her MP.
"He doesn’t really come to West End," she said.
"He is not usually a part of the things that happen in the community. I don’t think he’s performing. I can’t even tell you the last time that I saw him because it’s been that long. The thing is, he did so well during his election campaign and now he is no where to be found."
Janet Smith, who is also a West End resident, shared similar views.
"I don’t think he’s doing a good job because we don’t see him," she said.
"I haven’t seen him in West End and I moved back here from New Providence 10 years ago. I never expect anything from my MP though. They are all the same – they know you around election time and then they are absent for the next five years."
Another West End resident, who identified himself as ‘Doc’ Grant said Mr. Wilchcombe is not performing.
"Nothing is happening in West End," he said.
"I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen him, so in my view he isn’t performing."
Mr. Wilchcombe is one of four MPs who has to visit more than one island to reach out to all his constituents.
Residents in Bimini shared similar sentiments.
Many claimed that they have not seen Mr. Wilchcombe in a while.
"I don’t think he is performing at all," Bimini resident, Lopez Bullard said.
"Nothing is getting done on the island. They need to be worried about the dump on the island – that’s a serious problem. We need him to come around more because we supported him a lot during the last election."
Mr. Bullard added that Mr. Wilchcombe is only usually on the island to attend funerals.
"He needs to step to the plate because the young people don’t play and we will switch on you quick," he said.
Ashley Hinzey felt the same way.
"As far as I can see I don’t think he is performing," he said.
"I don’t see him in the community. Everything in Bimini happens because of the private sector because we rarely see Obie. We may see him at a funeral or something but when we have festivals or community functions he is not around."
Mr. Hinzey said Mr. Wilchcombe is his friend but he does not think that he will vote for him in the next election.
"My MP is not around to see what’s going on," another Bimini resident said, who wished to remain anonymous.
"We have a lot of issues on the island especially that deals with the local government. Right now we have a problem with issuing taxi licences – the process for that is not fair."
The resident also said that the Bimini dump is an issue.
"It has not been filled in for the last few years and I think the MP needs to come down and take a look at it," he said.
However, one West End resident, Ruth Woodside, said she felt that Mr. Wilchcombe was "doing his best."
"I like Mr. Wilchcombe and he has been performing in my view," she said.
"We may not see him as much as we would like to but there are things happening in the community. Very little is happening in Grand Bahama because of the economy but there is nothing that Mr. Wilchcombe can do about it; he is doing his best."
September 27th, 2010
jonesbahamas
By Sasha L. Lightbourne
It seems as if West End and Bimini Member of Parliament, Obie Wilchcombe has a lot of work to do if he plans to offer himself as a candidate for that constituency in the next general election.
The Bahama Journal began its weekly series entitled "Is Your MP Performing" several weeks ago.
When asked whether Mr. Wilchcombe was performing several residents said that their MP was not.
Megan McKenzie, a resident of West End, Grand Bahama told the Journal recently that she "rarely" sees her MP.
"He doesn’t really come to West End," she said.
"He is not usually a part of the things that happen in the community. I don’t think he’s performing. I can’t even tell you the last time that I saw him because it’s been that long. The thing is, he did so well during his election campaign and now he is no where to be found."
Janet Smith, who is also a West End resident, shared similar views.
"I don’t think he’s doing a good job because we don’t see him," she said.
"I haven’t seen him in West End and I moved back here from New Providence 10 years ago. I never expect anything from my MP though. They are all the same – they know you around election time and then they are absent for the next five years."
Another West End resident, who identified himself as ‘Doc’ Grant said Mr. Wilchcombe is not performing.
"Nothing is happening in West End," he said.
"I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen him, so in my view he isn’t performing."
Mr. Wilchcombe is one of four MPs who has to visit more than one island to reach out to all his constituents.
Residents in Bimini shared similar sentiments.
Many claimed that they have not seen Mr. Wilchcombe in a while.
"I don’t think he is performing at all," Bimini resident, Lopez Bullard said.
"Nothing is getting done on the island. They need to be worried about the dump on the island – that’s a serious problem. We need him to come around more because we supported him a lot during the last election."
Mr. Bullard added that Mr. Wilchcombe is only usually on the island to attend funerals.
"He needs to step to the plate because the young people don’t play and we will switch on you quick," he said.
Ashley Hinzey felt the same way.
"As far as I can see I don’t think he is performing," he said.
"I don’t see him in the community. Everything in Bimini happens because of the private sector because we rarely see Obie. We may see him at a funeral or something but when we have festivals or community functions he is not around."
Mr. Hinzey said Mr. Wilchcombe is his friend but he does not think that he will vote for him in the next election.
"My MP is not around to see what’s going on," another Bimini resident said, who wished to remain anonymous.
"We have a lot of issues on the island especially that deals with the local government. Right now we have a problem with issuing taxi licences – the process for that is not fair."
The resident also said that the Bimini dump is an issue.
"It has not been filled in for the last few years and I think the MP needs to come down and take a look at it," he said.
However, one West End resident, Ruth Woodside, said she felt that Mr. Wilchcombe was "doing his best."
"I like Mr. Wilchcombe and he has been performing in my view," she said.
"We may not see him as much as we would like to but there are things happening in the community. Very little is happening in Grand Bahama because of the economy but there is nothing that Mr. Wilchcombe can do about it; he is doing his best."
September 27th, 2010
jonesbahamas
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Baha Mar project is a political hot potato
Baha Mar project still needs consideration
tribune242 editorial
THE BAHA MAR development is not one of easy solution -- politically it is a hot potato. The only reason it is being considered is that many Bahamians believe that in these economic hard times a big project is needed to get Bahamians back to work -- and Baha Mar happens to be that big project.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham does not necessarily agree. One day the Bahamas is going to run out of big projects -- certainly the need for them in New Providence. There are still the Family Islands to develop, but as time moves forward the Bahamas will have to find something other than "big projects" to sustain growth.
Nor does the Prime Minister believe that Baha Mar, even at this time, is the "saviour for the Bahamas."
However, what appears to many Bahamians to be an answer to prayers could present enormous problems in the future. Certainly enormous political problems.
For example, if government agrees to allow the Chinese to employ over the period of the $2.6 billion contract, 8,100 of their countrymen with Bahamians only on the periphery of construction, then future investors can expect the same. Certainly Kerzner International, which has preferred investor status, has every right in future to ask for the same concessions. And don't forget local business people, who should be entitled to employ the best talent for their businesses, will also expect to have more freedom to go abroad if the required talent cannot be found here. This is something that Bahamians should ponder very seriously. At the pace at which this country is developing -- especially with the unlimited vistas being opened by new technology -- there will be no place for D grade students. Of course, this is something for students and their parents to come to grips with now. They have to settle down to reality -- government can no longer protect them. They have not had to make the effort because their mediocrity has been protected by Immigration restrictions for too long.
But there are other worries. As Mr Ingraham pointed out, if Baha Mar is completed as planned will the investors be able to fill the added 3,500 rooms when many hotel rooms already here are empty?
"We will be building the largest single resort development in the country with exclusively foreign labour, foreign labour where there is no transfer of any knowledge to locals," Mr Ingraham said. "At the same time be putting a number of rooms that is larger than any we've got in the country, without any major hotelier being involved to date."
"Well if I have difficulty dealing with less than 1,800 rooms what is it likely to be the case if I put 3,500 rooms there? What makes me feel and what gives me the level of confidence that all of a sudden I've become a magician in terms of the management of a hotel and I'm going to have a very successful operation with high levels of occupancy and good levels of revenue to repay the loan of $2.4 billion?"
Added to which the Chinese now have a hotel in Freeport which they cannot fill.
"And if I am having discussions about the question of repaying a loan of $200 million that is dragging on and on, does that raise any question that I ought to be concerned with? These are all matters that the government has to be concerned with," Mr Ingraham said.
What is now exercising the minds of many Bahamians is what happens to the large resort and the land on which it sits if the land is transferred in fee simple to Baha Mar, which in future might default on the loan to the China Export-Import Bank. Does the bank, and eventually the Beijing government become landlords of 1,000 acres of Cable Beach? This is of great concern to many Bahamians.
Mr Ingraham said he would feel more confident about the development, if like Atlantis, it were brought on stream in stages, opening only 1,000 rooms to start with. Atlantis developed its mega project in three stages. The fourth stage is being held until the Baha Mar resort is resolved. Obviously, the Kerzners -- experts in the resort business --also believe that the Bahamas cannot fill the rooms of two mega resorts operating on one island at the same time.
However, Mr Ingraham believes the Baha Mar project and Atlantis can co-exist without one being detrimental to the other if the phased approach to development is taken.
If one kills off the other by over reaching it is the Bahamas and its people who will suffer. As each resort fights for guests, room rates will fall and so will local employment.
Mr Ingraham and his government -- and the Opposition if it will take its responsibilities seriously -- have a lot to think about as they do their best to protect the future of the country and its people.
October 01, 2010
tribune242 editorial
tribune242 editorial
THE BAHA MAR development is not one of easy solution -- politically it is a hot potato. The only reason it is being considered is that many Bahamians believe that in these economic hard times a big project is needed to get Bahamians back to work -- and Baha Mar happens to be that big project.
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham does not necessarily agree. One day the Bahamas is going to run out of big projects -- certainly the need for them in New Providence. There are still the Family Islands to develop, but as time moves forward the Bahamas will have to find something other than "big projects" to sustain growth.
Nor does the Prime Minister believe that Baha Mar, even at this time, is the "saviour for the Bahamas."
However, what appears to many Bahamians to be an answer to prayers could present enormous problems in the future. Certainly enormous political problems.
For example, if government agrees to allow the Chinese to employ over the period of the $2.6 billion contract, 8,100 of their countrymen with Bahamians only on the periphery of construction, then future investors can expect the same. Certainly Kerzner International, which has preferred investor status, has every right in future to ask for the same concessions. And don't forget local business people, who should be entitled to employ the best talent for their businesses, will also expect to have more freedom to go abroad if the required talent cannot be found here. This is something that Bahamians should ponder very seriously. At the pace at which this country is developing -- especially with the unlimited vistas being opened by new technology -- there will be no place for D grade students. Of course, this is something for students and their parents to come to grips with now. They have to settle down to reality -- government can no longer protect them. They have not had to make the effort because their mediocrity has been protected by Immigration restrictions for too long.
But there are other worries. As Mr Ingraham pointed out, if Baha Mar is completed as planned will the investors be able to fill the added 3,500 rooms when many hotel rooms already here are empty?
"We will be building the largest single resort development in the country with exclusively foreign labour, foreign labour where there is no transfer of any knowledge to locals," Mr Ingraham said. "At the same time be putting a number of rooms that is larger than any we've got in the country, without any major hotelier being involved to date."
"Well if I have difficulty dealing with less than 1,800 rooms what is it likely to be the case if I put 3,500 rooms there? What makes me feel and what gives me the level of confidence that all of a sudden I've become a magician in terms of the management of a hotel and I'm going to have a very successful operation with high levels of occupancy and good levels of revenue to repay the loan of $2.4 billion?"
Added to which the Chinese now have a hotel in Freeport which they cannot fill.
"And if I am having discussions about the question of repaying a loan of $200 million that is dragging on and on, does that raise any question that I ought to be concerned with? These are all matters that the government has to be concerned with," Mr Ingraham said.
What is now exercising the minds of many Bahamians is what happens to the large resort and the land on which it sits if the land is transferred in fee simple to Baha Mar, which in future might default on the loan to the China Export-Import Bank. Does the bank, and eventually the Beijing government become landlords of 1,000 acres of Cable Beach? This is of great concern to many Bahamians.
Mr Ingraham said he would feel more confident about the development, if like Atlantis, it were brought on stream in stages, opening only 1,000 rooms to start with. Atlantis developed its mega project in three stages. The fourth stage is being held until the Baha Mar resort is resolved. Obviously, the Kerzners -- experts in the resort business --also believe that the Bahamas cannot fill the rooms of two mega resorts operating on one island at the same time.
However, Mr Ingraham believes the Baha Mar project and Atlantis can co-exist without one being detrimental to the other if the phased approach to development is taken.
If one kills off the other by over reaching it is the Bahamas and its people who will suffer. As each resort fights for guests, room rates will fall and so will local employment.
Mr Ingraham and his government -- and the Opposition if it will take its responsibilities seriously -- have a lot to think about as they do their best to protect the future of the country and its people.
October 01, 2010
tribune242 editorial
Friday, October 1, 2010
Environment Minister Earl Deveaux's "free ride" on the Aga Khan's helicopter does not warrant dismissal - says Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
PM: HELICOPTER RIDE NOT WORTH DISMISSAL
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
EXPLAINING for the first time his reasons for not accepting the resignation of his Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday the controversy surrounding his minister's "free ride" on the Aga Khan's helicopter does not raise to the level of calling for his dismissal.
Acknowledging that persons could argue whether or not it was the right decision to make under the circumstances, Mr Ingraham still stressed that Mr Deveaux "did nothing" deserving of resignation.
"What I find very fascinating about this whole question about Earl Deveaux and resignation is the Opposition hasn't raised it in the House (of Assembly at all. At all. But I wonder why," he laughed.
"There was no basis upon which Earl Deveaux ought to resign. He's done nothing deserving of resignation.
"Whether or not he should have taken a flight to Abaco, judgmental, but it doesn't rise to the level of dismissal and Bell Island is a place that doesn't have regular flights.
" I've been there twice, I went there once on the Defence Force boat and once I went there on the Aga Khan's helicopter, and I went there to have lunch with the King of Spain and took my grandchildren to meet with the Aga Khan's grandchildren.
"And then I asked while I was there, 'Listen I can't come this far without stopping in Black Point to hail the residents there'. So we landed there and I went there and shook some hands in Black Point and came back to Nassau. Since that time, just yesterday, somebody told me, an official, he had to go to Cat Island on a developer's aircraft to check something and on the flight with him was the member of Parliament, the deputy leader of the PLP (Philip Davis) on the same private aircraft," Mr Ingraham said.
However Fred Mitchell, the Opposition's MP for Fox Hill, said the Prime Minister's comments only reinforce the notion that it was OK for Earl Deveaux to accept the Aga Khan's ride, because the Prime Minister himself had done the same thing.
September 30, 2010
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
EXPLAINING for the first time his reasons for not accepting the resignation of his Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday the controversy surrounding his minister's "free ride" on the Aga Khan's helicopter does not raise to the level of calling for his dismissal.
Acknowledging that persons could argue whether or not it was the right decision to make under the circumstances, Mr Ingraham still stressed that Mr Deveaux "did nothing" deserving of resignation.
"What I find very fascinating about this whole question about Earl Deveaux and resignation is the Opposition hasn't raised it in the House (of Assembly at all. At all. But I wonder why," he laughed.
"There was no basis upon which Earl Deveaux ought to resign. He's done nothing deserving of resignation.
"Whether or not he should have taken a flight to Abaco, judgmental, but it doesn't rise to the level of dismissal and Bell Island is a place that doesn't have regular flights.
" I've been there twice, I went there once on the Defence Force boat and once I went there on the Aga Khan's helicopter, and I went there to have lunch with the King of Spain and took my grandchildren to meet with the Aga Khan's grandchildren.
"And then I asked while I was there, 'Listen I can't come this far without stopping in Black Point to hail the residents there'. So we landed there and I went there and shook some hands in Black Point and came back to Nassau. Since that time, just yesterday, somebody told me, an official, he had to go to Cat Island on a developer's aircraft to check something and on the flight with him was the member of Parliament, the deputy leader of the PLP (Philip Davis) on the same private aircraft," Mr Ingraham said.
However Fred Mitchell, the Opposition's MP for Fox Hill, said the Prime Minister's comments only reinforce the notion that it was OK for Earl Deveaux to accept the Aga Khan's ride, because the Prime Minister himself had done the same thing.
September 30, 2010
tribune242
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The governing Free National Movement (FNM) is prepared to pay the political price over the Baha Mar labour resolution says Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
PM: FNM will pay political price over Baha Mar labour resolution
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday that he and his party are prepared to take whatever political ramifications will come if they are forced to go it alone on the controversial labour resolution for the Baha Mar project.
When asked yesterday during a nationally-televised press conference at the House of Assembly, Mr Ingraham said he will make the best decision available to him at the time.
"I will not take account of what the political consequences of it is. I will do what I think is the best for the Bahamas and if that means that there is a political price to pay then I will pay it, and my party will pay it," Mr Ingraham affirmed.
For some time now, the Progressive Liberal Party and the government have been at odds on this controversial labour component of the Baha Mar project. With some 8,100 Chinese labourers needed to complete the development, both political parties have voiced their "serious concerns" on the matter. Coupled with the fact that unemployment remains high throughout the country, and an election year is slated for 2012, many politicians are fearful of having to publicly vote either in favour of or against this colossal $2.6 billion project.
In one vein, Baha Mar promises to provide thousands of permanent jobs for Bahamians once the project is completed. However, at the same time, it will require the largest foreign labour input on any one development to complete the core project - again while thousands of Bahamian labourers remain unemployed.
And, even if the project is completed as planned, there still remains concerns over whether or not the newly-added 3,500 rooms could actually be filled.
September 30, 2010
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday that he and his party are prepared to take whatever political ramifications will come if they are forced to go it alone on the controversial labour resolution for the Baha Mar project.
When asked yesterday during a nationally-televised press conference at the House of Assembly, Mr Ingraham said he will make the best decision available to him at the time.
"I will not take account of what the political consequences of it is. I will do what I think is the best for the Bahamas and if that means that there is a political price to pay then I will pay it, and my party will pay it," Mr Ingraham affirmed.
For some time now, the Progressive Liberal Party and the government have been at odds on this controversial labour component of the Baha Mar project. With some 8,100 Chinese labourers needed to complete the development, both political parties have voiced their "serious concerns" on the matter. Coupled with the fact that unemployment remains high throughout the country, and an election year is slated for 2012, many politicians are fearful of having to publicly vote either in favour of or against this colossal $2.6 billion project.
In one vein, Baha Mar promises to provide thousands of permanent jobs for Bahamians once the project is completed. However, at the same time, it will require the largest foreign labour input on any one development to complete the core project - again while thousands of Bahamian labourers remain unemployed.
And, even if the project is completed as planned, there still remains concerns over whether or not the newly-added 3,500 rooms could actually be filled.
September 30, 2010
tribune242
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Foreign Workers on Bahamian Construction Sites
Foreigners on Bahamian construction sites
tribune242 editorial
THE DEBATE on the number of Chinese to be employed on the construction of the Baha Mar Cable Beach project -- six hotels, about a 100,000-square foot casino, a 200,000 square-foot convention centre, 20-acre beach and pool, 18-hole golf course and a 60,000-square foot retail village with additional residential products -- is going to be interesting, if and when it takes place on the floor of the House.
The number of foreign workers required by the Chinese as part of the deal is unusually large. But it is well known that the Chinese do not approve foreign loans unless their workforce is employed as a major part of the loan project. In the case of Baha Mar -- valued at about $2.5 billion - $1.918,965,693 billion has been negotiated with the China Construction Company as primary contractors. With that financial outlay it is amazing that government was able to negotiate any Bahamian presence. As Mr Ingraham said in presenting his resolution for this project to the House "the foreign labour component intended during the construction for the resort exceeds levels ever experienced in the Bahamas and is beyond anything ever contemplated by my government."
Under the UBP, construction up to a certain value was reserved for Bahamian contractors. Over that value it was agreed that Bahamians did not yet have the expertise or equipment to handle very large jobs and so those were left to foreign contractors, such as McAlpine, Balfour Beatty and others. In the 1950s, said Mr Ingraham, the government permitted 25 per cent of the labour force in construction and/or the operation of tourism development to be foreign.
During the Pindling era, however, the foreign labour component increased and newspaper articles recorded protests, either by foreign workers complaining of working conditions, or Bahamians questioning their presence in the Bahamas. For example, in 1988, 600 angry Indians went on hunger strike on the construction site of the Crystal Palace Hotel, Cable Beach. They accused the foreign contractor, Balfour Beatty, of treating them as slaves. Earlier - in 1981 - the Construction and Civil Engineering Union picketed the construction site of government's $66.5 million Cable Beach Hotel. "They import Filipinos to shovel sand. You tell me no Bahamans can do that?" complained a Bahamian worker. There were 40 Filipinos on that job site.
But the 1990 demonstration to protest the employment of common labourers -- truck drivers for example -- from Brazil on government's $55 million Nassau International Airport expansion was particularly interesting. The ratio of foreigners to Bahamians was 70 per cent on that construction site with government having to pay a large penalty if the number of Bahamians went over the agreed 139 or 30 per cent of the total work force. This prompted the carrying of placards that read: "It's Better in the Bahamas for Brazilians!"
At one point during the contract there were more than 340 Brazilians at the construction site, bringing the Brazilian count to 71 per cent compared to the 139 Bahamians that the company had agreed to use during this period.
The Pindling government had agreed that for every five Bahamians hired by the Brazilian company over the agreed 139 Bahamian workers, the government would have to pay $88,000 or $17,000 for each worker.
In the House on April 30, 1990, then Opposition Leader Hubert Ingraham revealed that the Pindling government had also agreed to pay all of the Brazilian company's Customs and stamp duties, work permit fees for their workers, and building fees on mechanical and electrical permits. In addition government was to pay all public utility fees -- connections and the like -- except for the actual electrical consumption.
The FNM found it preposterous that government would be penalised if more than 139 Bahamians were hired at the airport. "It is incredible that the Government has agreed to pay extra monies for Bahamians to work in their own country," said the FNM.
When the Ingraham government came to power its policy on foreign labour was established on the resort properties of Kerzner International -- the ratio of Bahamians to non-Bahamians on that site was not to exceed 30 per cent foreign to 70 per cent Bahamian.
And now here were the Chinese financially backing the transformation of Cable Beach into a mega tourist resort and asking for 8,150 of their countrymen to be engaged on the "core project". The projection is that some 1,200 Bahamians will be engaged in construction of the non-core projects.
Because of the unusual request for foreign labour -- 71 per cent foreign to 29 per cent Bahamian -- Prime Minister Ingraham has brought the matter to the House to give the Opposition an opportunity to express the opinions of their constituents on the matter. Both sides have to determine - in the words of Mr Ingraham - "whether this invaluable benefit of skills transfer and improved exposure to new technologies can or will occur in a project where contact between Bahamians and foreign experts is likely to be limited." Bahamians also have to decide whether in these lean years this project, with its foreign labour, is what they believe will jump start their economy.
September 28, 2010
tribune242 editorial
tribune242 editorial
THE DEBATE on the number of Chinese to be employed on the construction of the Baha Mar Cable Beach project -- six hotels, about a 100,000-square foot casino, a 200,000 square-foot convention centre, 20-acre beach and pool, 18-hole golf course and a 60,000-square foot retail village with additional residential products -- is going to be interesting, if and when it takes place on the floor of the House.
The number of foreign workers required by the Chinese as part of the deal is unusually large. But it is well known that the Chinese do not approve foreign loans unless their workforce is employed as a major part of the loan project. In the case of Baha Mar -- valued at about $2.5 billion - $1.918,965,693 billion has been negotiated with the China Construction Company as primary contractors. With that financial outlay it is amazing that government was able to negotiate any Bahamian presence. As Mr Ingraham said in presenting his resolution for this project to the House "the foreign labour component intended during the construction for the resort exceeds levels ever experienced in the Bahamas and is beyond anything ever contemplated by my government."
Under the UBP, construction up to a certain value was reserved for Bahamian contractors. Over that value it was agreed that Bahamians did not yet have the expertise or equipment to handle very large jobs and so those were left to foreign contractors, such as McAlpine, Balfour Beatty and others. In the 1950s, said Mr Ingraham, the government permitted 25 per cent of the labour force in construction and/or the operation of tourism development to be foreign.
During the Pindling era, however, the foreign labour component increased and newspaper articles recorded protests, either by foreign workers complaining of working conditions, or Bahamians questioning their presence in the Bahamas. For example, in 1988, 600 angry Indians went on hunger strike on the construction site of the Crystal Palace Hotel, Cable Beach. They accused the foreign contractor, Balfour Beatty, of treating them as slaves. Earlier - in 1981 - the Construction and Civil Engineering Union picketed the construction site of government's $66.5 million Cable Beach Hotel. "They import Filipinos to shovel sand. You tell me no Bahamans can do that?" complained a Bahamian worker. There were 40 Filipinos on that job site.
But the 1990 demonstration to protest the employment of common labourers -- truck drivers for example -- from Brazil on government's $55 million Nassau International Airport expansion was particularly interesting. The ratio of foreigners to Bahamians was 70 per cent on that construction site with government having to pay a large penalty if the number of Bahamians went over the agreed 139 or 30 per cent of the total work force. This prompted the carrying of placards that read: "It's Better in the Bahamas for Brazilians!"
At one point during the contract there were more than 340 Brazilians at the construction site, bringing the Brazilian count to 71 per cent compared to the 139 Bahamians that the company had agreed to use during this period.
The Pindling government had agreed that for every five Bahamians hired by the Brazilian company over the agreed 139 Bahamian workers, the government would have to pay $88,000 or $17,000 for each worker.
In the House on April 30, 1990, then Opposition Leader Hubert Ingraham revealed that the Pindling government had also agreed to pay all of the Brazilian company's Customs and stamp duties, work permit fees for their workers, and building fees on mechanical and electrical permits. In addition government was to pay all public utility fees -- connections and the like -- except for the actual electrical consumption.
The FNM found it preposterous that government would be penalised if more than 139 Bahamians were hired at the airport. "It is incredible that the Government has agreed to pay extra monies for Bahamians to work in their own country," said the FNM.
When the Ingraham government came to power its policy on foreign labour was established on the resort properties of Kerzner International -- the ratio of Bahamians to non-Bahamians on that site was not to exceed 30 per cent foreign to 70 per cent Bahamian.
And now here were the Chinese financially backing the transformation of Cable Beach into a mega tourist resort and asking for 8,150 of their countrymen to be engaged on the "core project". The projection is that some 1,200 Bahamians will be engaged in construction of the non-core projects.
Because of the unusual request for foreign labour -- 71 per cent foreign to 29 per cent Bahamian -- Prime Minister Ingraham has brought the matter to the House to give the Opposition an opportunity to express the opinions of their constituents on the matter. Both sides have to determine - in the words of Mr Ingraham - "whether this invaluable benefit of skills transfer and improved exposure to new technologies can or will occur in a project where contact between Bahamians and foreign experts is likely to be limited." Bahamians also have to decide whether in these lean years this project, with its foreign labour, is what they believe will jump start their economy.
September 28, 2010
tribune242 editorial
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