The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Immediately following the radio announcement, and after watching the coverage on television of the governments taking back of 2 per cent shares of BTC, my reaction was, so who owns BTC now? They are even, and again Cable and Wireless yet runs everything! Also: ”What is the deal”? Come on, Mr Prime Minister, there are not many changes! Bahamians are not blind!

As mentioned by me before, I am not politically biased on any issue that affects the Bahamas and its people. Whether the government is PLP, FNM, or any other party, I merely give my democratic views on matters that can be productive to this country – The Bahamas.

There is no personal attack or a grudge held when I make any comments and releases on any matter. I only see it as an opportunity to criticise constructively not maliciously.

Now let’s look at the speech the Hon Prime Minister gave while visiting Atlanta to be inducted into the “Walk of Fame” ceremony. He, the Prime Minister, said that the government has received 49 per cent, and C & W received 49 per cent, and 2 per cent the Bahamian people, (a special trust) foundation; so who truly owns BTC and its operation! The answer is easy!

However, I applaud Mr Christie for trying to take back BTC. And I believe he had the Bahamian people at heart in the negotiations, but it seems he was not successful – not quite.

So a little advice to the governments of the Bahamas, whether PLP, FNM or other – don’t be too eager in selling vital facilities and corporations, unless you are sure of the controlling shares or that ownership stays with the Bahamian government and its people. I am saying that to say this, the words indecisive and decisive were being thrown around lately. Each can be good, as well as bad for having the ability in making decisions. Not doing it in a rational or caring way, where others or a country’s welfare are concerned, is just as bad as not having the capability, or being slow in decision making – which is the greater of the two defects, or the greater of the two evils?

Sometimes, when something is done, it is hard to correct. The former administration should never have sold BTC. It was a reckless decision, they made. It most likely caused or greatly contributed to the cause of hundreds of Bahamian families to go hungry, many businesses to lose greatly, many became unemployed, and others their jobs became one of non-gainful employment.

And subsequently, it was one of the prices the FNM government paid at the polls on the May 7, 2012 General Elections; they lost, just looking at both sides of the coin, in closing regarding the above matter, congratulations should be given to the Hon Prime Minister on his induction into the “Walk of Fame”.

WATCH D’

Nassau,

January 30, 2014.