Branville McCartney
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
DNA leader Branville McCartney yesterday criticised the authenticity of concerns raised by the FNM over reported downsizing at BTC.
Pointing out that it was the Free National Movement administration that put hundreds of workers at risk during the initial sale of the telecommunications company, Mr McCartney again urged Bahamians to file a class action lawsuit against Cable and Wireless to recoup losses from last month’s blackout.
In a press statement yesterday, the DNA leader said: “Nearly four years after the sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) which was vehemently opposed by thousands of Bahamians, the chickens have come home to roost and the country is now forced to face the consequences of the bad decisions made by the former Free National Movement (FNM) administration.
“Unfortunately, rather than accepting responsibility, and seek forgiveness from the Bahamian people for their role in the obvious decline of the country’s communications sector, The FNM and its chairman have chosen to use the issue for political expediency.
“In his impassioned statement to the media, Cash seems full of contempt for what he asserts, is a deal shrouded in secrecy,” Mr McCartney said. “How ironic that he would comment on such secrecy when Bahamians are only now learning the details of the agreement struck between the then FNM Government and Cable and Wireless Communications which, as one of its conditions, cemented a monopoly for the company which has lasted for the past three years, dooming its customers to subpar service.”
Mr McCartney’s comments follow claims by the Free National Movement that hundreds of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) jobs may be out sourced as part of the government’s deal to regain majority control.
Franklyn Wilson, head of the Government’s negotiating team, told Tribune Business that the possibility of outsourcing, and the return of Leon Williams as the company’s chief executive, were “never, ever discussed” with Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) during talks that saw the latter agree to transfer almost 2 per cent of its equity stake into a non-profit foundation.
Responding to Free National Movement (FNM) allegations that there was much more to the deal between the Government and CWC than has been disclosed, Mr Wilson accused the Opposition, and its deputy leader in particular, of hypocrisy.
Yesterday, Mr McCartney said his party will continue to monitor developments at BTC, adding that if reports are true it “would indeed be the final nail in a coffin commissioned by the FNM, and laid to rest by this PLP Administration”.
He said: “Since the sale of BTC in 2010, dropped and failed calls, slow data services and unsent text messages for which Bahamians are being billed daily, have become synonymous with the company and its services; despite continued pronouncements of millions spent, and the introduction of new technologies.
“It is the hope of the DNA that the recent end to BTC’s monopoly will translate into additional competition, lower costs, and improved telecommunications services for Bahamians around the country. In the meantime however, the corporation and its executives must be made accountable to the public for its countless shortcomings, price gouging and system failures, the most recent of which occurred just two weeks ago, and by the company’s own admission affected more than two hundred thousand customers.”
Comments
TalRussell 10 years ago
Comrades, while polls have not yet brought recognition to Bran as a real leader, he has developed he own "past-da-time" occupation, while waiting for some polling miracle to occur, writ'in more press releases to be mess'in with Minnis head, is well underway from he Village Road office of da law practice
hurricane 10 years ago
I was just about to ask what happened to the "comrade" fool! LOL
TheMadHatter 10 years ago
Yall can call Bran a fool if you want. But yall the ones having to buy Vaseline to cope with what the previous and current governments are puttin on ya.
I think by the time 2017 gets here, you'll be first in line to vote for Bran and his other party candidates. You'll be like them people in the states when a new iphone comes out - camping out in the parking lot the night before waiting for the booths to open.
TheMadHatter
John 10 years ago
DOES BTC HAVE A GAMING AND/OR LOTTERY LICENSE? Right now they are running one of the biggest games in town and have their customers all over the place begging for money to keep minutes on their phone so that they can play. You have to answer some trivia questions for a chance to win a car as the grand prize and to win other prizes. BUT GUESS WHAT? YOU HAVE TO PAY FIFTY CENTS EACH TIME YOU PLAY! So you say ok 50 cents is no big deal,,,,
SO LETS DO SOME QUICK MATHS: Lets say one third of BTC's Cellular customers (family islands included) are playing That is about 30,000 people. Lets say that BTC asks 6 trivia questions a day, so at 50 cents, each person who plays will spend $3.00 a day. So 30,000 players @ $3.00 a day is $90,000.00 (NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY!) The Lottery/game is running for two weeks so $90,000.00 a day times 14 days is $1,260,000.00 ( One Million Two Hundred And Sixty Thousand Dollars). THAT IS HOW MUCH BTC WILL TAKE (RAKE) IN!!!
SO BTC CLAIMS THEY ARE GIVING AWAY A CAR AND OTHER PRIZES...Lets say the car costs $60,000.00 and the other prizes cost a total of $40,000.00 and say it costs BTC another $60,000.00 to run the game (did I say run a game?). That is a total of $160,000.00 expense wise. Now deduct that from the $1,260,000.00 they took in from the consumers who are playing the game. Rather than giving away a car and other prizes, BTC is actually SUCKING in $1,100,000.00 NET in TWO SHORT WEEKS! ELEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THE PHONE SERVICE STILL SUCKS!
Bahamianpride 10 years ago
Outsource this to Verizon, at&t, sprint, etc.. To much government.. I pay private phone, private water, private gas & electric, trash collection, etc. The service is great & if its not I switch to better or more affordable one.. Its call free market capitalism, it has many flaws but its the best of all the systems available. Stop looking to government for everything, government should only be the referee, private sector has to be the source of jobs & services moving forward. I'd rather deal with a private business any day over some government bureaucracy. For those who think capitalism sucks, well look @ what socialism has done to us with these massive wasteful bureaucracies sucking Bahamians dry & the service is pissed poor.
John 10 years ago
What do you call a company that is taking $90,000.00 a day from its consumers?
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