The Tribune

AS WE have said in this column before, at least Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe has had the guts to face the facts that crime is not only destroying our people, but it is also destroying our economy. We have always found that the best way to solve a problem is to face it.

Mr Wilchcombe is now being criticised for reporting prostitution — particularly among young boys — in the area of Festival Place, where cruise passengers arrive. On our website – tribune242 – Mr Wilchcombe has been told that there are certain secrets that one does not talk about in public, particularly in front of our tourists. Of course, the PLP thought nothing of raising large billboards along all tourist routes proclaiming the country’s crime statistics during last year’s election campaign. At that time, all they were concerned about was winning an election — the country be damned. Now with the country in their grip, there are those among them who would cover up the ugly secret, pretending that this country is still the same happy land of sun, sand and blue seas of yesteryear. This recalls the 1942 riot when the Colonial Office was warned of the brewing unrest here, but dismissed the thought with the comment: “Only tourists happen there!”

If something is not done about our crime wave, even tourists will not be happening here for much longer.

The feared American travel warning is now out and in this electronic age there are no secrets any more. This country has gone gun crazy, and coupled with the drug industry there’s mayhem. The late Paul Adderley was one among the PLP who supported bringing in foreign police officers to assist our local force.

If this is what it will take — at least they will have no uncles, aunties and cousins in the community to protect — then the political ostriches would be well advised to get their heads out of the sand and seriously consider the matter.

Coupled with Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell’s pronouncements about a stricter Immigration policy, this government has done everything possible to frighten off investors — the very people needed to create some of those 10,000 jobs that it promised Bahamians it would deliver on being voted into office.

It seems that there’s a tug-of-war within the cabinet with Peter not knowing what Paul is doing.

It is now time for Peter, Paul and this community to come together to save this small nation, once noted for its friendliness and goodwill.

It was irresponsible the way Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis was attacked in the House of Assembly earlier this month when he warned that senior banking officials — as far away as Europe — were “having discussions” about moving certain banking sectors from the Bahamas because they feared the new immigration policy, as announced by Mr Mitchell. Financial Services Minister Ryan Pinder accused Dr Minnis of “misleading” the entire country and “instilling panic”. He even called Dr Minnis’ warning “unpatriotic” and “dangerous”. He demanded that Dr Minnis withdraw his comments if he had no proof. “Those are dangerous statements,” said Mr Pinder. Yes, they are particularly dangerous if — like London in the forties — this government ignores them.

House Speaker Kendal Major went so far as to tell Dr Minnis that he would not allow any “hearsay evidence”, but if he had evidence he invited him to share it with the House.

Of course, Dr Minnis would not divulge the names of the bankers with whom he had discussions.

We do not know who Dr Minnis was having discussions with, but we don’t have to go as far as Europe to know that on our international network we are hearing the same concerned rumblings. Only last week, an investor, who seemed to have great plans for this country, suggested that maybe this was not the right time to go ahead.

As someone commented, an investor is not necessarily enamoured with the Bahamas for the sake of being in the Bahamas. They just want a place where they can settle and do business without being hampered by government bureaucracy. Many are coming to the conclusion that the Bahamas is no longer that place.

Unfortunately, Mr Mitchell is not a businessman, and obviously does not appreciate how business persons think. The way he announced his Immigration policy was certainly playing to his political supporters, but in doing so he was destroying the confidence of those on whom he and his government have to depend to create employment for those same supporters.

Mr Mitchell has to appreciate that business persons frighten easily when too many hurdles block their forward movement.

Not only has his pronouncement frightened the foreign investor, but even locals are having second thoughts.

His revised statement saying that “we will grant work permits for positions where Bahamians are not readily available” has not done much to erase his earlier pronouncement. And so, there seems to be a holding pattern to give him a chance to prove himself.

It’s now up to Mr Mitchell. It certainly would be folly if persons like our Minister of Financial Services either does not recognise the threat to our economy or has decided that this is one of the state secrets that has to be carefully hidden.

It is now time to face the problem squarely and lay down sensible rules so that people — both Bahamian and foreign — will know where they stand.

We also think that Prime Minister Christie is the one who should make this statement — after all, he is the head of state.