The Tribune

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said the government is not serious about its attempt to retake the majority share of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company.

He claimed Prime Minister Perry Christie’s pronouncements on the matter so far are just “fluff”.

When questioned by the media yesterday on the government’s impending efforts to retake a 51 per cent ownership in the telecommunications giant, Mr Ingraham said that he did not believe Mr Christie’s administration was seriously making a bid to do so.

“I don’t think so. I think that is all fluff. And I believe that the owners of BTC believe that is all fluff,” he said.

Mr Ingraham added that he thought it would be better if the Prime Minister followed through with the FNM’s plans to widen the ownership base in BTC by offering nine per cent of its 49 per cent holding to the public.

These shares, Mr Ingraham said, should be sold to the public at the same price that Cable and Wireless Communications was able to purchase its 51 per cent majority stake.

He said: “This government is going to spend the next five years completing my agenda. They have no choice but to do that.

“They have no choice but to complete the Airport Gateway Project. They have no choice but to complete the New Providence Road Improvement Project. These are agreements with international organisations and/or the Chinese government, Chinese banks. They’re not stupid – these are very sensible men.”

When contacted yesterday for reaction to Mr Ingraham’s remarks, the government said it is firmly committed to and will regain the majority shares of and controlling interests in BTC from Cable and Wireless Communications.

“The government has met with the relevant authorities at BTC and this process is fully underway. Mr Ingraham, an opposition Member of Parliament with no responsibility for governance, is free to say whatever he wants, to engage in obfuscation and political posturing without consequences.

“The government has the responsibility to protect the interests of all Bahamians, to govern circumspectly and to be accountable to the Bahamian people for its policies,” their statement read.

Prime Minister Christie has gone on the record to confirm that his administration is committed to “exploring all lawful means” to recover majority ownership of BTC.

Mr Christie has taken personal responsibility for the government’s relations with BTC, placing the matter within the Office of the Prime Minister’s portfolio.

Tony Rice, London-based Cable and Wireless Communications’ chief executive, said despite the change in government in the Bahamas, the “underlying driver” for the Christie administration – as it had been for the FNM – was that BTC provide the right infrastructure, services and prices for its customers and the wider economy.