The Tribune

"They did not do so for the Queen's birthday list and now have not done so for this New Year. This is surely disgraceful. Each year there are deserving Bahamians who should be honoured by their country." - PLP spokesman Fred Mitchell

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

CONCERNS have been raised over the government's failure to name any Bahamians as recipients of national honours for 2011.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, on Monday, December 13, 2010, awarded 24 persons who were honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours during a ceremony at Government House.

Mr Ingraham told the group their contributions were important to the country's progress and development.

Receiving the highest award was Kerzner International CEO Sir Sol Kerzner. He was given the Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St George (KCMG).

In light of that fact, the Progressive Liberal Party is now calling for an explanation of why there has been no honours given to Bahamians for more than a year.

In a press release yesterday, PLP spokesman Fred Mitchell took the government to task on their "disgraceful" actions regarding the awards.

He said: "The Free National Movement administration must explain to the Bahamian people why for the second time in a row, the government has not provided national honours for deserving Bahamians.

"They did not do so for the Queen's birthday list and now have not done so for this New Year. This is surely disgraceful. Each year there are deserving Bahamians who should be honoured by their country."

Noting that the PLP, had passed a law to abolish the Queens Honours system, Mr Mitchell said the FNM has refused to enact the law. He said as this is the case, the system should be used.

"So what we have is the system left to us by the British. Since we have it we should use it."

In addition, Mr Mitchell said he has made recommendations for recipients of the prestigious award, however nothing has crystallized.

"I have on two occasions provided recommendations to the Prime Minister regarding Queen's honours, one for a former Parliamentarian and the other for a deserving police

"The Prime Minister last year personally assured me that the honour for the Parliamentarian would be considered. Nothing has been done."

Mr Mitchell is now calling on the government to fully enforce the National Heroes Day legislation that will create the opportunity for deserving Bahamians to receive national honours.