Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis outside the House of Assembly. Photo: Terrel W. Carey Sr/Tribune staff
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A VOTE of confidence motion in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis passed the House of Assembly last night.
A division of the House was not taken to show who exactly supported Dr Minnis and who did not, although the opposition called for such a vote.
In bringing a no confidence motion, opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis accused the prime minister of “knowingly, intentionally and deliberately” misleading the House by claiming Brent Symonette was not involved in discussions and negotiations over renting the Town Centre Mall to host the General Post Office when he was minister of immigration and financial services.
After he resigned as minister, Mr Symonette, a part owner of the mall, revealed Dr Minnis called him to discuss the government’s plans to rent the mall before the resolution was brought to Parliament, an admission that appeared to contradict the resolution that was passed.
Progressive Liberal Party MPs walked out of the chamber after standing in dissent to the resolution, angered that Mr Davis was not allowed by House Speaker Halson Moultrie to close the debate.
Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells had earlier amended Mr Davis’ no confidence motion with the consent of majority members, deleting its criticisms and replacing them with full praise of the prime minister.
In a show of unity, FNM parliamentarians congregated at Cabinet Office yesterday morning and walked to the House of Assembly together, flanked by a few dozen party supporters.
Their revised motion listed many of what they view to be the administration’s accomplishments, including championing of small and medium sized businesses through the establishment of the Small Business Development Centre and implementing free tertiary education for Bahamians enrolled full-time at the University of the Bahamas and the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute.
“(Dr Minnis) has implemented a reform agenda designed to correct the many errors and abuses of the last PLP government and brought economic growth and diversification of the economy, systemic improvements in the public service, greater accountability and relief to thousands of suffering Bahamians,” the amended motion said.
Mr Symonette, the St Anne’s MP, attended the sitting, but did not speak.
Dr Minnis said the opposition was engaged in gimmicks and games.
“We are creating economic opportunities for Bahamians through job creation, through greater ownership and entrepreneurship opportunities and by enhancing the shareholder society,” he said last night.
South Beach MP Jeffrey Lloyd and others declared their “unequivocal” support for their party leader.
Some, like Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, dismissed Mr Davis’ motion as a “mere distraction” and “political gamesmanship on the part of the opposition” while Fort Charlotte MP Mark Humes presented life-size posters of news articles reflecting controversies involving Mr Davis when he was deputy prime minister.
Mount Moriah MP Marvin Dames declared the last Christie administration the worst in the history of the region, insisting PLP politicians believe they are “entitled to lead this country” forever.
Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands lamented that the opposition pressed forward with what he said should be a rare parliamentary procedure, not something “conducted as fiat.”
For his part, Marco City MP Michael Pintard expressed confidence in Dr Minnis but called for his colleagues to demonstrate a “greater sense of urgency” and be more collaborative with their approach to governance, especially in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.
Meanwhile, PLP Exuma & Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper highlighted the December 7, 2016 act of seven FNM parliamentarians to remove Dr Minnis as leader of the opposition, saying: “We were warned.” East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest recalled the same matter but noted he stood with Dr Minnis at the time because he believed the Killarney MP “had the best interest of the country at heart.”
Engerlston MP Glenys Hanna Martin highlighted Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller’s resignation from the FNM yesterday, calling it a “blow to the administration and a statement of lack of confidence unlike anything I could say.”
During the debate, FNM parliamentarians emphasised the deplorable state of the former General Post Office building on East Hill Street, a problem they met in place and addressed by moving it to the Town Centre Mall.
Comments
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
I don’t agree with the PM approach to everything.
Everyone is a critic, an expert, and knows how to solve this country’s problem it now seems.
The public administration of this country is far from perfect.
We have bad habits, bad rearing, bad and unreasonable expectations like hypocrites or bipolar children. I say unreasonable because we want the the govt, any govt, to give us everything we want full social welfare but we want to be rich too, we don’t wanna pay any taxes, we popping tags off things and doing funny business when it’s time to pay customs, businesses and merchants are not always practicing fair pricing. Yes, VAT needs to go, but income tax or some other form will have to take its place in my opinion - and the DNA ain’t the first to say. We allow people to lie to us because we don’t wanna hear the truth. We are jealous and envious of people. We wanna demonize ppl when they make something of their lives.
My Miller should do what he feels. But, I think this narrative about not caring for the poor is disingenuous. How can we the populace say we care about the poor and don’t wanna pay taxes. How can we the populace wanna say we just want a better life, but everyone who does a little something for themselves we hate them and act like they owe us something - these are often the same ppl we demeaned and laughed at before their success. That’s problem just a lesson to teach your children. I was told if I work hard and go to school, then I deserve every penny I make. But, I guess I should just be using my twenty’s to have babies and fun because people in this country are delusional. We care about the future and think the opposition telling the truth when they say they gonna remove all taxes some of these people lack of exposure Is a disservice. Michael halkitis said early this year in a guardian article that if the PLP won they were probably going to have to increase vat, but he did say that they wouldn’t have been so aggressive because when people don’t understand they start to reject things.
From MP Miller came last week in house talking about how he can discuss airline registry with his constituents, I was just sighing, more of this class politics. More arrogance, more if you don’t take my ideas I quit - however, I do think some of these cabinet members are arrogant.
But I think it’s easy to point a finger and hide away in tough times, but who is gonna tell us when we wrong.
geostorm 4 years, 4 months ago
@Hoda, I agree with your comment!
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
My thing is if ppl were only concerned with power wouldn’t they give in to everything just to keep us happy.
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
ppl = *people
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 4 months ago
Who does Minnis think he's kidding? Never has our country had such a grossly incompetent PM - more corrupt, perhaps - but never one so totally inept at governing in the interest of the Bahamian people.
Minnis has demonstrated time and time again that he's only capable of increasing our taxes, our light bills, our food prices and our national debt. Meanwhile the back-room corrupt deals are cut that unjustly benefit and enrich the select few among the political elite, their family members and their cronies. Make no mistake about it: Minnis knows full well that the vast majority of Bahamians are on to him and no longer have any confidence in him whatsoever.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
They're not creating any economic opportunities. It's serving the purpose of exactly what they used it for yesterday, political PR. They're doing what the webshops and churches do. Allow 2 people to "win", then post their pictures over the media as part of the campaign to sell "hope" and draw in more hungry people. The real question to ask is how much the SBDC's principals are being paid per registration, because their focus is clearly registrations. They consistently speak of a backlog but are constantly opening new offices and urging more people to sign up. Recall that at outset the rationale was a pay to access program. The idea is a great one but something is off...
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
What do you mean paid for registration? I dont know about other islands, but in GB participants seemed to be happy with the program. You have to complete a two week course or something, which teaches you how to prepare a business plan I dont know how many people actually complete it. But I know persons who did it and seemed to think it was helpful and you get your check after.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
For every person who signs up, the govt may "pay" the company a defined subsidy. That's what I mean by "paid". And if all you have to do is finish a course and get handed a cheque, what does that sound like to You? Urban Renewal 3.0? I am not saying the "idea" of an SBDC is bad, to the contrary I think it's exactly what the country needs. What I am saying is in my opinion, something is off with what is actually happening.
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
The govt may pay itself a subsidy? What company are you referring to? I’m not being facetious, I really am curious as to your thoughts. Despite my simplification of the process, I think it will be interesting to find out how many people actual continue when they realize they must take the course:
“While the Access Accelerator is not a direct provider of capital, we will ensure the seamless facilitation of access to capital for our clients. The Government of The Bahamas has committed $5 million per year for the next five years, a total commitment of $25 million, to be disbursed to Bahamian MSMEs through loans and equity financing. Using the government’s $5 million stake as a guarantee, the Access Accelerator has been able to secure even more in low-cost, guaranteed loans for disbursement. In addition, The Government of the Bahamas has earmarked $250,000 for business development grants to impoverished youth up to the age of 30 from New Providence and $200,000 to impoverished youth up the age of 30 from the Family Islands. These grants – none of which will be for more than $20,000 – will be disbursed according to a stringent regime, including the successful completion of the training and business advisory process, income tests and proof of citizenship. And, among other requirements, the money goes directly to vendors and is not applicable to working”
However, so you think the idea is good but you have a problem with the process, who gets it, what?
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
"However, so you think the idea is good but you have a problem with the process, who gets it, what?"
Firstly, yes, there are alot of bastardized "good" ideas in the world. Not unheard of fir politicians to hijack Ideas for PR purposes. Secondly there are alot of badly executed good ideas.
And yes pay per registrant. As I recall the initial model for this organization was for it to be self funding, registrants were to pay to attend the classes. then the govt said this is such a great idea we will subsidize it so persons can attend for free. Naturally that tells me that the subsidy is most likely a per seat subsidy. Also because the govt is providing a subsidy they're gonna want something out the deal. e.g. "PR"
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
I see, so u think it’s bastardisation for the govt to subsidize a Ministry of Finance/ UB/ Chamber of Commerce programme which seeks to give Bahamian business owners under age 30 skills and access to capital.
bogart 4 years, 4 months ago
....Something is off after painstaking and huge efforts to laud new businesses over da hill etc, create hundreds and expand, grow small businesses very own high profile govt program and have entrepreneurs with done future plans and costing business and then to shock them into immediate or pending increasing govt employees raise in minimum wage likely to then thereafter roll over into their done business calculations.
Hoda 4 years, 4 months ago
I am only speaking about participants who I have spoken to. They were all sole proprietorships or one man shops, a caterer, etc... they didn't really have any staff or were not at the level yet.'
But, I dont know if you are talking about the small business program?
bogart 4 years, 4 months ago
All startups, all small businesses some 73% startups, 25% small business some 3,500 registered at Centre employing large amounts etc. The mimimum wage announcement increased by Govt to its employees would have immediately put pressures and affected as many of the mom an pop stores have the lower wage level weekly paid employees (and plenty grumbling, suk teet)Thank goodness after announcement days ago now put on back burner. However still suk teet by those in govt not getting minimum salary increase amd those others who getting $1,400. cheque.
birdiestrachan 4 years, 4 months ago
Sand and Dames of the Frank Smith fame?. The PLP members knew it could not stand but it did bring to light much. Uncle Tommy Wells has sunk to a new low.
They May as well go along with doc. because they are well aware they most of them will not be reelected.
They are masterful liars. so they lie and lie some more. chief among them doc. Satan who is the Father of liars. most be very proud of his children.
doc has nothing to rejoice about. but of course he does not know that.
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 4 months ago
@twistedtweetybirdie: No Bahamian voter in their right mind would ever again vote for a PLP candidate running in their constituency. The PLP as a political party is corrupt to the core and well beyond any hope of rehabilitation. The vast majority of Bahamians today are for all intents and purposes enslaved to the point of being paupers in their our country thanks to the boundless levels of corruption by the political elite and their cronies within the PLP political party. That ship has sailed and been sunk!
sheeprunner12 4 years, 4 months ago
Mudda ........... you seem conflicted like Vaughn Miller .......... We must have a Government of our country - headed by those men/women who come forward to serve ..... for better or for worst, they represent The People (look in the mirror).
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
You and Minnis are in for a shock when you see the number of persons who voted FNM in the last election who decide they are neither voting PLP or FNM. Add to that the number of PLPs reinvigorated by the "persecution" of Shane Gibson and Frank Watson in the haphazardly arranged witch trials. (that's how they looking at it)
They do not represent the people, they represent the kind of follow the party line persons that the Party machine ensures are the only options we have to vote for.
bogart 4 years, 4 months ago
....oops isnt it Frank Smith, not Frank Watson.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 4 months ago
oops...Mr SpeakERH...I retract my statement!
bogart 4 years, 4 months ago
@ Thisisours I like your entire point just the last name needed amending.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 4 months ago
Proud to say I did not vote in the last election and looks like I will not be voting in the next one either....
As of now my only thought is what country should I move to. Tried Turks and Caicos, too damned hot and too damned expensive and an ignorant government.
Canada seems to be the only real option left. But man, it's so damned cold....
Whatever, best thing I can do for me and mine is to leave this country, it's going downhill and there's absolutely no one in line to lead us out of the descent we're stuck in....
TalRussell 4 years, 4 months ago
Yeah, no. What better defines comrade elected red shirts MP's be unapologetic suck a uppers to their boss man's, than Wednesday's charade of standing up on floor House as the colony's duly elected governing parliamentarians to knowingly prop up a prime minister, and minister of finance, who had again on Wednesday still had the bullocks to renew their false account of $6 billion in new investment monies under their governance by continuing to count OBAN's $5.5 Billion as the chief proponent of the $6 Billion falsehood? Comrade Peter Krieger, Oban Energies’ non-executive chairman who the prime minister offered up the fake signatory of, told The Tribune he was one of three defendants who were accused of misappropriating more than $3.7 million of investor monies by US government regulators. You can't make Wednesday's hypocrisy up, you just, can't that since February of 2018, the only accounting of the $5.5 Billion ever being spent in Grand Bahama is the $10,000 that the OBAN Junkanoo's, said they had donated to a local Christmas's Junkanoo group.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 4 months ago
Once again the FNM is ignoring the people just to pander to an empty suit. Minnis is without a doubt the worst leader the FNM has ever had....
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