FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
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By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday formally accepted Prime Minister Perry Christie’s invitation to have a briefing on Baha Mar after the $3.5 billion resort’s shock Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in a United States court last Monday.
Dr Minnis insisted that the Free National Movement remains “completely committed” to assisting the government in any and all matters of critical importance to the wellbeing of Bahamians.
In that regard, Dr Minnis said the FNM is open to having the “meaningful and substantive discussion” needed on Baha Mar, but has requested that the Christie administration provide the opposition with all the information and documents related to the Cable Beach resort.
“These documents would assist us to better appreciate the details surrounding the decision of the Baha Mar bankruptcy petition,” said Dr Minnis in a statement.
“While it is our view that this unfortunate recent development is shocking, disquieting, alarming and unacceptable to all Bahamians, this national dilemma is bigger than political differences and we will remind the prime minister that his expressed desire for a bipartisan approach would have been more readily appreciated and met with less cynicism if the government had, from the outset of the Baha Mar project, observed higher standards of transparency by communicating with the public and the official opposition.”
He added: “It is our hope that the prime minister’s feeling of being blindsided by the actions taken by Baha Mar would cause him to have a greater appreciation and better understanding of the need at all times for full disclosure and transparency in matters of State such as this.”
The Killarney MP stated that unlike the government – which initially claimed it would take no sides in the ongoing dispute between Baha Mar and its contractor China State Construction and lender the Export-Import Bank of China – the FNM is firmly committed to the Bahamians affected.
“Our sole interest in this matter is the completion of the Baha Mar project and towards this end we are making arrangements to meet with all stakeholders in the Baha Mar project to explore solutions and give our support for an early resumption of this project,” Dr Minnis’ statement said.
“The Free National Movement remains committed to ensuring that the government accounts to the Bahamian people and we will insist that the government be frank, open, honest and transparent in dealing with this unfortunate national tragedy.”
Mr Christie extended the invitation during an emergency press conference held last Tuesday evening, hours after both the FNM and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) laid blame for the Baha Mar issue at the feet of the government.
Dr Minnis told The Tribune last Wednesday that he would first canvass his parliamentarians and senators for their views on the government’s offer before committing himself to the briefing. At the time, Dr Minnis claimed that Bahamians felt jaded by the government’s repeated failures and had lost both trust and faith in the PLP’s ability to govern.
In a statement on Thursday, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts criticised Dr Minnis’ decision, saying it was “disgraceful” for Dr Minnis to pretend to care about the 2,400 employees of Baha Mar affected by the resort’s bankruptcy filing.
Mr Roberts accused the FNM leader of using the situation to advance his personal political agenda.
Baha Mar was originally scheduled to open its doors in December 2014, but due to construction and financial issues, that opening date has been delayed three times.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 10 months ago
Minnis.....aahhh, what a fool!!!
duppyVAT 8 years, 10 months ago
And what will this solve??????? Perry & HAM locked in a room solving the Bahamar mess ..... LMAO
Problem: ............. both of these guys do not live on Planet Earth
Solution: ............. Let the three court cases play out for the next 12-18 months and do not let petty Bahamian politics get in the way
TalRussell 8 years, 10 months ago
Sworn to PLP cabinet secrecy.
Comrade Minnis has realize that once he is given what the 'PM considers' sensitive documents about Bah Mar's bankruptcy and financial matters, the PM has just bought his silence. In fact Her Majesty's Official Opposition Leader will be restricted when it comes to what he can share with his his own red shirts House of Assembly MP's.
If Minnis is only to be provided with what is available via public domain access, what's the purpose of the meeting? Silencing da official opposition makes sense?
duppyVAT 8 years, 10 months ago
Yep ........... misery loves company ......... Perry will have someone else to fall back on and blame when he starts to campaign for 2017 4real!!!!
TalRussell 8 years, 10 months ago
Comrade Minnis should have first received and reviewed ALL Chapter 11 Bankruptcy documents filed, before even thinking about a meet with PM Christie. Let's not forget Baha Mar is owned and under development by Baha Mar Ltd, where The Bahamas (the "Developer"). Residences within Baha Mar (the "Residences") are being OFFERED for sale by the Developer throughout the world. These particular disclosures, while potentially applicable to all prospective buyers, are intended as additional disclosures to RESIDENCE of the U.S. to ensure a mechanism for full and complete disclosure.
My question to the leader official opposition, are you even aware these documents were required to be on file, leading up to and after the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing. That purchasers of residences now face in the many millions dollars the loss of their deposits? Have you Minnis, even bothered to read what is on file? If not, why are you in such a rush to meet with the PM? To not have read, is to meet with PM, under ignorance. Not a winning label to tag a leader with.
saysomething 8 years, 10 months ago
Sart by finding the direct relationship of Baha Mar and NORTHSHORE MAINLAND SERVICES INC.
lucaya 8 years, 10 months ago
It is the right thing to do, like it is being said it's bigger than any one politics, and the Bahamian people are meet with transparent and clear words.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 10 months ago
Dr: Minnis should have no hesitating at all about these meetings. This is not a PLP Problem or a FNM problem It is a Bahamian problem. They both had some involvement in this matter. there is no need to point fingers. If the Project is near to completion some one will buy it. I am sorry for the persons who have lost their jobs. they are PLP's , FNM's and DNA's all Bahamians.
duppyVAT 8 years, 10 months ago
Has HAM held a post-briefing press conference yet??????? We want to hear his views on the status of the Bahamar project vis-a-vis our reputation, money, land, workers and entrepreneurs .................... any word?????????????????????
TheMadHatter 8 years, 10 months ago
While he does bumble around a bit - he's not too terrible, and I would suspect that if he would come out publicly and give HIS WORD as a MAN that if he became PM he would not allow ANY Act to pass through Parliament until AFTER a Freedom of Information Act has passed and been enacted into Law and all the accompanying regulations have been designed and put into operation in all related Ministries and Department - ie. the Act in full 100% operation - he may then have a chance of being elected.
Otherwise, I think people are tired of both parties and will elect neither.
Publius 8 years, 10 months ago
Minnis = Moron . Most recent proof ^^^this press statement of his. And how hilarious that he went down there thinking this was his crowning moment only to get played by the Prime Minister. These men are not even worth the insults one could very justifiably hurl at them.
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