The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) on the Christie administration's deal with Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTC) and Cable and Wireless

Bahamians are NO Fools!

The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is incredulouslydisappointed in the Christie administration, which, as failed negotiations withCable and Wireless further proves, continues to show no real plan forgovernance.

Many Bahamians voted for the Progressive Liberal Party onthe premise that Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) ownership would bereturned to them. They deserve an apology—one from the former Prime Ministerfor selling the corporation in the first place and one from the current PrimeMinister for selling such a far-fetched dream.

“Bahamians are no fools. They are no longer comforted bypromises that lack projection or feasible solutions. We deserve better. Wedeserve more. We deserve a government that can close the deal,” said Mr.McCartney.

Since the deal with BTC and Cable and Wireless took effect,Prime Minister Perry Christie blindly assured Bahamians that his Party could returnto them majority stake. However, according to a recent announcement, that didnot happen. “This is not surprising news” says DNA party leader BranvilleMcCartney “as, like many of their other initiatives, ending in complete andutter failure. Whether it’s the promiseof 10,000 jobs; the mortgage relief plan that provided no relief to anyone; thegaming referendum debacle or the proposed economy destroying VAT plan, thisgovernment string of failures in less than two years is the only recordbreaking thing they’ve done, unmatched by any government in our past.”

The past government sold BTC under such clauses that wereindefinitely irreversible. However, theChristie government has proved that they and the former Ingraham Administrationare two sides of the same coin. Theyboth seem to believe that government ownership of 49% equates to majorityownership.

“While we appreciate that BTC has pledged to give a littlemore in charitable donations, 2% is not a huge break considering that BTC isalready a major sponsor of most national events and initiatives,” said Mr.McCartney.

The DNA is demanding that the government, or BTC, share withthe public the value of what has been given to charitable organizations in 2013and the value of the 2% promised.

The Government is searching for answers in the darkness,wasting time and taxpayer dollars on schemes that result in no wins for theBahamian people. Crime worsens, unemployment rises and regrets soar, asadmitted by Mr. Christie, himself.

Perhaps now Mr. Christie can use his time and resources toplot rational plans to combat crime, create jobs, relieve homeowners andbusiness owners, and explore reasonable tax alternatives. He owes taxpayersthat much. As of this day, the Christie administration is known as the governmentthat makes promises that they can not keep.

January 23, 2014

Democratic National Alliance (DNA)

Free National Movement (FNM) Bamboo Town Constituency Association on Branville McCartney’s Resignation

Bamboo Town Association Blasts McCartney Over Resignation


By IANTHIA SMITH



For months tensions boiled within the governing Free National Movement (FNM) party and after remaining silent on the issue for quite sometime now, representatives of the FNM Bamboo Town Constituency Association are speaking out about Branville McCartney’s resignation.

In a press release issued late yesterday the association said, "We wish to express our considerable personal and collective disappointment over the resignation of Mr. Branville McCartney from the FNM and the abrupt manner in which it was done."

The release went on to say that Mr. McCartney did not inform the executives of the Bamboo Town Association prior to his decision adding that they learned of his decision at the same time it was made public.

The association said having worked for his election to the House of Assembly and on his behalf in Bamboo Town, they would have expected the basic courtesy of prior notification and consultation.

"Mr. McCartney had numerous opportunities to inform the association leadership of his decision, even as recently as last Thursday night, when two of our executives met with him. He could have telephoned our association chairman immediately prior to his resignation," the release added.

"Many in Bamboo Town still do not understand his abrupt resignation from the Cabinet and now his resignation from the FNM. The philosophy, manifesto, policies and leadership of the FNM have not changed since Mr. McCartney was elected to the House of Assembly as an FNM, and joined Mr. Ingraham’s Cabinet."

The association said it is its view that the majority of FNMs in Bamboo Town, as well as the majority of residents in the constituency support the government’s creation of a new partnership between the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Cable & Wireless to create a cutting-edge telecommunications company that will move The Bahamas forward.

The associations’ members say they were stunned that when the big vote came in the House of Assembly, Mr. McCartney seemed more concerned about his own personal decision than the broader needs of the people of The Bahamas.

"We will continue to work for the new and better direction the country is moving in under the leadership of Prime Minister Ingraham and the Free National Movement," they said.

"The Bamboo Town Constituency Association is proud of the work our party has done under Prime Minister Ingraham’s leadership during the worldwide economic downturn.

"We pledge ourselves to ensuring that in the next general election Bamboo Town remains FNM country."

Mr. McCartney resigned from the FNM on Monday.

March 24th, 2011

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

Say, Sway and Raw Power

The Bahama Journal Editorial



Available evidence suggests that, the Progressive Liberal Party and a number of unions are apparently finding themselves united as regards certain aspects of that deal that would –if approved- provide Cable and Wireless a fifty one per cent stake in BTC.

On the other hand, the governing party seems to be suggesting that they have been blind-sided by union leadership and that, in addition, they are adamant that, the Bahamian people are getting a good deal, moving forward.

These are the bones of contention between the governing party, its Opposition and the unions.

Evidently, politics matters.

And here, as we revert to some of what the Opposition is saying, we note where they say that, “…The PLP holds fast to the belief that the sale of BTC to C&W is a ‘national issue’ and not a political issue as there is a general concurrence on the Privatization of BTC.

“To this end the primary spokespersons outside the Halls of Parliament have been primarily the Party’s Chairman, the Leader and Deputy Leader. This position by the PLP has been clearly demonstrated with the ongoing Senate Debates, as opposition members, despite attempts to be censored, continue to hammer the Government for not making public the details of the Memorandum of Understanding on the BTC / C&W Deal…”

The PLP concludes on this note of warning, explaining that, “…the government continues to stubbornly proceed with this bad deal despite mounting national opposition by the People of the Bahamas. Considering the above factors, the PLP again call on the Prime Minister to make public the details of the sale by releasing the Memorandum of Understanding on the BTC / C&W Deal without further delay. More importantly, we call on the government to listen to the majority of the People and cancel the Government’s plans to sell BTC to Cable & Wireless…”

And so, the battle lines have been drawn.

Evidently, these battle lines recapitulate parameters that have proven decisive in times past – with workers and others ranged in alliance with one party or the other.

Only time will tell how this struggle will eventuate.

But even as we wait for time’s verdict, we can say with some high degree of confidence that, the struggle is on; and that, those who oppose the BTC deal are seemingly on the offensive; with their quarry – the governing Free National Movement now pulling out the stops in order to better sell the deal they thought they had in the bag.

But notwithstanding those aspects of this matter that turn on the use of raw power by some in the halls of parliament, we are today somewhat discomfited by some of the tactics used by the Speaker in the Assembly; particularly where it seems as if he ignored the right of Her Majesty’s Opposition to speak, once notice of adjournment was announced.

While –like others- we have no way of divining what could have motivated him to act as he did; suffice it to say that he left us and quite a number of other right-thinking persons with the sense that he was acting in the immediate political interests of the ruling party in the Assembly.

While we would like to think otherwise, the evidence directs us the clear conclusion that, Mr. Speaker erred when he acted as he did this Wednesday past.

But be that as it may, we hope that –in time- Mr. Speaker would have the good grace to explain himself to each and every member of that august assembly; this in order to convince them that he was not biased in his recent decision making.

Now while we are quite aware of some of those other aspects of this matter that now provide the Opposition with so much political fodder; we are still adamant that, they should have been given an opportunity to speak.

In addition, we would have much preferred that things had gone in such a way so that, those who lead and those who would lead might have had an opportunity to say Merry Christmas to each other and to send similar greetings to their constituents.

And clearly, we do believe that, the Opposition should have been given an opportunity – on the notice of adjournment to speak.

This is a time honored tradition in any number of countries that would hew to the democratic way of doing things; where while governments might have their sway, those in Opposition should have their say.

Evidently, while this nostrum might be heeded in other jurisdictions, there seems to be some difficulty with it as parliamentarians dicker and debate the matter concerning the proposed ‘sale’ of BTC to Cable and Wireless.

And so today, we regret the way things have happened in the Assembly; and as they might have done, we wish them all a Merry Christmas.

December 17, 2010

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Bahamas Blog International

...the Christie government's secret negotiations with Bluewater...

Bahamians being offered better deal
tribune242 editoial



WE ARE baffled by Opposition Leader Perry Christie's harping on the "secrecy" surrounding government's memorandum of understanding with Cable & Wireless (LIME). Surprised because on the desk in front of us is a file of the Christie government's secret negotiations with Bluewater that were then too sensitive to be shared with the public and of which no one knew the details until the Ingraham government came to office and opened the books. The union, by its own and Mr Christie's admission, was a part of the negotiations and approved the sale.

A week before the election, which resulted in the Christie government's removal from office, it was discovered that the privatisation committee for the Bluewater sale had submitted its report, which was approved by cabinet, but not signed by Mr Christie.

Today the public knows more about the Cable and Wireless proposal than it ever did about the Bluewater deal -- and even now information is coming out about Bluewater that the public is hearing for the first time.

Prime Minister Ingraham has promised that all information on the BTC sale with all documents attached will be made public two weeks before being presented to the House for a vote.

This full disclosure, we can assure our readers -- judging from the PLP's track record, especially recalling the "secret" land-giveaway in the Baha Mar Cable Beach deal -- would have never happened under the Christie government.

And so why does Mr Christie continue to harp on a deal being "clandestinely" dealt with "deep in secret" when there is nothing secret about it?

He believes government, avoided parliament yesterday morning, because it is afraid of the issue.

"They know that they are riding a tiger and you know old Confucius' saying: 'He who ride rides tiger dare not fall off,'" said Mr Christie.

We know that Confucius was a wise man, but this particular saying cannot be attributed to him. It is an ancient Chinese proverb, which says: "He who rides a tiger can never get off or the tiger will devour him."

Is this why Mr Christie cannot give up the secrecy myth? Maybe, he and the union representatives, who admit they were a part of the whole Bluewater negotiations, should come clean and tell the public why they were so secret when they were trying to hand over the Bahamian people's "jewel" to a group that had not been tested and had no track record in communications? No, Mr Christie, this is one tiger you will have to keep riding because if you fall off the people will indeed see that the Emperor has no clothes.

In yesterday's demonstration when a union member broke through the restraining barriers on Bay Street and was confronted by police, he taunted his colleagues, who remained behind the barricades: "They have y'all corralled like a bunch of animals. That is how they have you. Y'all look like a bunch of animals!"

Not only did they look like a bunch of corralled animals, but they were behaving as such without an independent brain in their heads. Imagine mounting a demonstration on the emotional hot air of politicians and union leaders without accepting the invitation to sit down with Cable and Wireless to discover for themselves what the negotiations are all about and the important role Bahamians are to play in it.

Today they now have a chance to sit down in the quiet of their homes and read the Cabinet's statement on page 7 of today's edition and see the bill of goods that the PLP was trying to sell them -- and if it were not for the election would have got away with -- and what they are being offered today.

This week a union leader accused government of giving away the country's cash cow. Indeed it is a cash cow that consumers are paying for dearly and unionists are milking without shame.

The backwardness of BTC has retarded the growth of this country's financial industry as well as local businesses that have been forced -- thanks to the computer -- to try to avoid the BTC monopoly as far as possible.

All we have heard so far is what the unionists want of BTC. It is now time for the consumers to be heard. Consumers want lower prices, better service and an ability to enter the world market without being hemmed in by suffocating monopolies.

Read the Cabinet statement and understand how Bahamians are being hoodwinked by politicians -- there is indeed no comparison with the Christie-backed Bluewater deal to what is being offered today by Cable and Wireless Communications.

December 16, 2010

tribune242 editoial

Bahamas Blog International

In Opposition to the BTC Deal

The Bahama Journal Editorial


That we live in perilous times is no longer a matter that incurs debate; it is simply taken as a given that, these are surely times when practically everything that was once stable seems hell-bent on being ripped from its moorings.

In this we would surely include certain givens as they related to how the Bahamas could and should orient itself to the region and to the world market.

In this regard, we would place all of what we once took for granted as it pertains to the supremacy and desirability of relying on foreign direct investment; and here sometimes to the exclusion of Bahamian investment.

For a fairly long season, this idea worked its magic; and here it had the salutary result of creating a fairly self-confident middle class [albeit one that lived heavily off borrowed money]. But as some of our people would attest and confirm, for a fairly long while, it sure did seem as if this kind of scenario would persist for a while longer.

And then, there was that other emerging trend where and when there arose such a high respect for the magic that was said to be inherent in market forces. As a consequence, very many governments around the world soon came to find themselves dragooned into becoming true believers in the new mantra.

This slew of new and true believers in the so-called magic of the market place included some of our leaders and their myriad of followers.

Indeed, such was the magnetic force of the new idea that some who should have known better were soon enough found to be dancing and sometimes even prancing to the same tune.

As we recall, this was the context wherein there emerged that consensus behind ideas to privatize this or that public owned entity.

Early on the Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation was identified for the privatization experience and treatment.

While the times have obviously changed and while practically no-one with an iota of sense continues that blather about the so-called magic inherent in so-called market-forces, BTC is set to be divested of majority control on the Bahamian side; with that control going to Cable and Wireless.

And yet again, we are learning that, there is currently a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] that the government signed with the regional communications giant (which is known as LIME throughout the Caribbean) provides for the sale of a 51 percent stake in BTC for $210 million.

We are also told that an additional $21 million will be collected by the government from the 10 percent stamp tax associated with the sale.

Note also that the said MOU also provides that the government will leave $15 million of BTC's cash in the bank to provide operating capital for LIME.

As reported, BTC had just under $66 million in cash at the end of September, according to financial records obtained by our Journal.

Evidently, this implies that if the sale is concluded in the next several months and BTC's cash reserves are significantly impacted, at least $51 million of that cash would go to the public treasury.

At this juncture, then, the word we get is to the effect that, if BTC maintains the cash it now has until the targeted sale date of February 15, 2011, the money generated by the sale of BTC would amount to more than $282 million.

While this is good as far as it goes, we are loath to support this move.

In this regard, [and as everyone would know], the potential buyer is Cable and Wireless.

In addition, we are now being told that, the proposed sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) could net the government nearly $300 million by the time the deal is done.

While this is apparently a done deal, we are adamant in our conclusion that, more effort should have been put into seeing to it that this entity stayed in Bahamian hands.

This is our view not only because of our enduring concern for the well-being of our country and its people; but because we are absolutely convinced [as in the case of Cable Bahamas] BTC could and should be owned by Bahamians.

And clearly, we continue to be impressed by arguments that tell us that, there are some utilities such as those relating to water, electricity and communications that should – in the interests of national security- remain in the hands of Bahamian nationals.

Furthermore, we are absolutely convinced that, there remains a crying need for the Bahamian economy to stand –as it were - on two feet; with one firmly planted in the Bahamas by Bahamians and with the other just as firmly planted by foreigners.

Such a move would put this country of ours on a much firmer footing.
And for sure, this is precisely why –in principle- still opposed to this proposed link-up by BTC with Cable and Wireless.

December 8th, 2010

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union does not support Bahamas Telecommunications Company's shares being sold to Cable and Wireless

BTC union rejects bidder
BY KEVA LIGHTBOURNE ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ kdl@nasguard.com:



The union that represents line staff at The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is objecting to the government's decision to enter talks with regional telecoms giant Cable & Wireless for a 51 percent stake in the state-owned entity.

Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans said the labor body would in no way support any amount of shares being sold to Cable & Wireless.

"Their track record as far as labor relations is not good and even given the potential model that they want to implement in terms of regional governance and control, it is not conducive to the Bahamian psyche that I know, that we know," Evans explained.

"We go on record as saying that we do not support any kind of sale to Cable & Wireless."

The Nassau Guardian understands that talks begun recently between the government and Cable & Wireless over the sale of the majority interest in BTC, which employs hundreds of Bahamians. This came despite the company turning down the chance to officially bid last year when a number of partnerships paid $25,000 to be a part of the process.

Cable & Wireless had been considered among the best prospects to purchase BTC when it opted out.

The Guardian reported recently that the talks that are now taking place between the company and the government sparked frustration among the two bidders that had been short-listed, with one saying it was actively considering whether it wanted to move forward in the process.

The two existing bidders — a JP Morgan/Vodafone combination and Atlantic Tele Network (ATN), partnering with CFAL — were among four proposals, which were short-listed last October.

Evans said the union is not supporting a sale to Vodafone either.

He said while privatization for BTC has been looming for a while, Bahamians should be given the first opportunity to purchase.

"And I believe the government was trying to get as much as it can get for the 51 percent sale for BTC, but given some of the figures we have been hearing it is not that attractive," Evans said.

"We are still reserved in that BTC is a very profitable entity. It is Bahamian-controlled, Bahamian-owned, and we believe it still should be Bahamian-owned and if [there is] any opportunity for any sale Bahamians should be looked at first," he said.

Last month, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told The Nassau Guardian that there would be no fire sale of BTC.

"We have given the BTC privatization committee some parameters as to what bid would be acceptable to ourselves," he said.

"They are still having discussions, we expect to hear from them soon, but they have not formed any recommendation yet. We gave them the parameters but we are not having a fire sale, we don't have to sell immediately," Ingraham said.

June 8, 2010

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International