By Kendea Smith
Jones Bahamas
Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner says she’s “troubled” by Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) CEO Simon Potter’s recent comments that the financial terms his company “tied down with the Bahamas Government are second to none.” She is now questioning what those financial terms are and is calling on the government to respond to those claims.
Just last week, Mr. Potter told a room of potential investors in London that the financial terms with respect to any oil extraction are likely to be “music to people’s ears.”
Mrs. Butler-Turner says Bahamians are being “left in the dark” when it comes to oil exploration and BPC’s general activities.
The FNM deputy leader said it’s obvious that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is putting “foreign interests first and the Bahamian people “dead last” in terms of providing information and consultation on potential oil resources owned by The Bahamas.”
“The FNM reminds the Bahamian people that both Prime Minister Perry Christie, who is also the minister of finance, and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis both served as consultants for BPC prior to the 2012 general election, during which a referendum on oil exploration was promised,” she said.
“When exactly will that referendum be held so that the PLP can keep that promise as well as the promise of putting Bahamians First? Additionally, when will Mr. Christie and Mr. Davis disclose the handsome financial terms they received as consultants for BPC?”
Mrs. Butler-Turner said she also has questions about discussions BPC had with the government over a referendum for oil drilling.
“What does the BPC CEO mean that ‘underneath the surface’ that any discussion of a referendum has been removed,” the deputy leader questioned.
“Oil exploration is a monumental decision for the country. It must be approached with deliberation, accountability and transparency, little of which now appears to be the case. The Bahamian people and the Official Opposition deserve and demand greater transparency and answers from the Christie government relative of the claims made by the CEO of BPC.”
September 26, 2013
The Bahama Journal
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.
