By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREEPORT – Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis believes that Prime Minister Perry Christie should use the brand new $185,000 Mercedes Benz that was ordered for use by the former Prime Minister just before the last general election.
The Tribune has learned that the new 2013 Mercedes is now in the possession of police, who have outfitted the vehicle with cameras and a police siren.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who lost office following the FNM’s defeat in the May elections, never got a chance to use the luxury vehicle.
The use of such a vehicle has raised eyebrows amongst some political observers who believe that it would be in poor taste for the PM to use such a vehicle during such tough economic times. In fact, it has been suggested that Prime Minister Christie should sell the vehicle at auction, and donate the monies raised to his much touted Urban Renewal programme.
However, the Deputy Prime Minister believes that with the vehicle being purchased for the office of the Prime Minister Mr Christie should utilise it.
“I have heard of a new Mercedes but I have not seen it yet. I think it was bought for the Prime Minister and I think the Prime Minister should use it. It was bought for that Prime Minister (Hubert Ingraham), whether our Prime Minister will use it, I don’t know. But since it was bought for the office, I think he should use it,” said Mr Davis.
Mr Davis’ comments came during his visit to Grand Bahama yesterday.
Comments
vinceP 11 years, 7 months ago
I'm sorry Mr. Davis, but I'm disappointed that you would even suggest that the PM use this car. Clearly the former PM had no conscience when it came to wasting tax payers money, and frankly there is no way to justify keeping that vehicle with the current financial state of the government. If I'm not mistaken, I've seen the PM being driven around in a very nice vehicle. I
reverendrichlive 11 years, 7 months ago
It is right, appropriate, befitting and justifable that the Prime Minister untillise this beautiful automobile. After all it was ordered for that purpose. Only the small, narrow, poverty-minded would oppose this Mercedes being used and enjoyed by the person who occupies the high office of the Prime Minister. The so-called current financial state of the government is no reason for not enjoying this luxury. England, America and other nations with so-called financial uncertainty still afford their leaders the luxuries that is fitting. The so-called Queen of England still rides in her many Rolls Royces. I don't hear these poor-mind folks vinning about that. Mr Prime Mister, you have my permission to go ahead to use and enjoy this lovely Mercedes with your drop-dead gorgeous wife. PS : If you do not want to use it, I will be honored to releave you of this fine driving machine...ha...ha ! Rich-Blessings....Reverend Rich L. Kemp
JohnDoes 11 years, 7 months ago
I hope that car is bullet proof with all that money spent. I would hate to think that its all on luxury. Sad.
Mayaguana34 11 years, 7 months ago
He should absolutely use the car - It goes with the office, as do the personal aides, the police escorts and the cash allowances. Its silly to have it sit and not be put to use. The car is appropriate and befitting of the office of Prime Minister of the Country. While we are at it we need to invest in an official residence for the Prime Minister and have a place befitting of the stature of the office and the need to have the PM host visiting dignitaries and other official events and receptions. Barbados and Jamaica made these investments decades ago and I am certain that the cost savings have been realized.
242 11 years, 7 months ago
R U serious?
TalRussell 11 years, 7 months ago
Every time I get close to finally ignoring the lawyer/fisherman from Cooper's Town he past while in office keep tempting me not to ... not just yet, cause the natives still got's lots to learn about the inner workings of this "humble" man?
That's your man Hubert. He ride fancy while he leave the middle class moving down to the ranks of da poor. Them some sad economic faces when you're among the 60,000 who could not find jobs, or paying customers for their businesses. Yet, he thought it was OK to ride luxury soft?
His red shirts believe it's an soft of enough of an luxury ride, but only for they Hubert ass.
The red shirts could land a luxury Benz in Bahamaland, but them much need Ambulances, them ain't here yet. Even the handful police cars just started arriving at the docks.
by TalRussell
Observer 11 years, 7 months ago
So, public funds were expended to purchase a vehicle for the Office Of The Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Honestly, Bahamians, what is wrong or immoral for the Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to be driven in a luxurious vehicle. It's not Mr. Christie's car; it belongs to us for the use of the holder of the office of Prime Minister. Think straight and focus on the facts that pertain thereto. Is our Bahamas Prime Minister not 'good enough' to be driven in a Mercedes vehicle. It seems our problem still is that we really believe that things are better than a person. Low self esteem is our major disease.
242 11 years, 7 months ago
Well put
Bril 11 years, 7 months ago
There is nothing wrong with the PM driving a nice car. You are absolutely right I want and all Bahamians should want our PM whoever he/she is to have the best. The problem here is that the FNM with is so called fiscal prudence have really been lying to the Bahamian people. We are apparently in such economic straits and the Bahamian government can afford to purchase a car for nearly $200,000. It is gratuitous and Mr. Laing and Mr. Ingraham as Ministers of Finance at the time could have shown more fiscal prudence. This argument has nothing to do with pride for self or country. We all love our country. But it doesn't give any PM the right to just spend government money any way he pleases. This is the same nonsense the FNM blamed the Late L.O. Pindling for. I've made my disclosures on numerous occasions on these blogs about being a PLP. I think both of these parties have been out of control. No FNM or no PLP can give me any reasonable excuse for this purchase during these serious financial times. Not when people are losing their homes and can't put their kids in school. The vehicle is the cost of a low cost home. We need to get our mind right in this country. Common sense is common sense. It has nothing to do with pride. If we were doing better financially and things weren't so rough I could see the government investing in such a vehicle. But I cannot accept that the the FNM government who claim that they are so clever with the people's money could make such a purchase.
jackflash 11 years, 7 months ago
I don't have a problem with it.
I do have a problem with the preacher man driving a flash car and adorned with all kind of Bling.
But it seems that is OK...
TalRussell 11 years, 7 months ago
If the only part of the $5 Billion debt we were left with was $185,000 for a nice car to transport the current PM around Nassau Town, how financially lucky we Bahamaland would be.
by TalRussell
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID