By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
FORMER BTC CEO Leon Williams will be appointed the senior Bahamian policy adviser on the Cable and Wireless board, the Tribune has learned.
According to sources, the government and CWC executives have promised the job to Mr Williams, who was a member of the government’s negotiating committee in BTC’s take back talks.
When asked if Mr Williams was chosen to be the liaison between the government and CWC on the board, CEO of Cable and Wireless Phil Bentley said: “Many people were up for consideration” and it would be “inappropriate” for him to comment on one person.
Mr Williams was fired as BTC’s chief executive in 2008. A short time later, he filed suit against the company. Both parties reached a settlement in 2011.
Following the termination, then chairman of BTC Julian Francis claimed Mr Williams was not an expert in communication and was “pretending”. In fact he said it was just a smokescreen and Mr Williams was incapable of properly running the company.
However PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts came to Williams’ defence saying he is a “highly qualified man” who was a “defining leader when the PLP was in power.”
Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government will announce the Bahamian policy adviser after the new deal is tabled in Parliament.
At a press conference on Wednesday night, Perry Christie and CWC CEO Phil Bentley signed off on what they both described as an “historic agreement”.
At that time Mr Bentley said he will “appoint a Bahamian policy adviser, to assist in ensuring the company is managed to the good interest of the Bahamian people”.
The new deal between the government and CWC will result in the transfer of 5,930,200 shares back to the government to be placed in a foundation that will hold the shares in trust ‘for the Bahamian people.’
“In addition to these shares, the new foundation will also hold all of the dividends and other income and all other economic benefits that will come from ownership of the shares,” said Mr Christie.
“We confidently expect that annual dividends from the required shares will be in the low seven figure range based on historical performance,” he added.
“The income will be separately held and used for the foundation so as to ensure that money will be used only for permitted purposes. Mainly to improve and expand the Bahamian people’s access to and enjoyment of telecommunication technology through the Bahamas. Secondly to assist in the development of athletics and other sporting and recreational activities in the Bahamas and thirdly to assist in the war against crime by expanding the use of CCTV and telecommunication technology as tools of law enforcement.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 3 months ago
Following the termination, then chairman of BTC Julian Francis claimed Mr Williams was not an expert in communication and was “pretending”. In fact he said it was just a smokescreen and Mr Williams was incapable of properly running the company.
However PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts came to Williams’ defence saying he is a “highly qualified man” who was a “defining leader when the PLP was in power.”
Well then Mr. Francis is obviously not qualified. Ya don't need anything to be a defining leader in the PLP. LOLOLOLOL!!!
ohdrap4 10 years, 3 months ago
Qualified: He must be a graduate of the University of Wulff road
GrassRoot 10 years, 3 months ago
Ok Stop whining. In the old days, Mr. Williams would have brought along his 5 comrades to share in the work but not the pay.
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 3 months ago
BTC board of directors last week - CWC -7, government - 4 BTC board of directors today - CWC - 7, government 4
Policy advisor? Crony job.... No power. Nothing
banker 10 years, 3 months ago
Ask the Reverend Patrick Adderley who was on the BTC board at the time. He will not lie. The chief reason for firing Leon Williams was corruption. This is political cronyism at its best. The PLP is rot infested and there is not a true patriot anywhere. Otherwise they would not disrespect the Bahamas in the way that they do. That's right. When they do this garbage, they are disrespecting the country. A true patriot would root out corruption and cronyism. It makes me sick.
HolandObserver 10 years, 3 months ago
And yet another crony gets a lofty title and a bag full of money...
concernedcitizen 10 years, 3 months ago
this was pure and simple ,a penny ante shake down w .threats of union unrest / that got a few cronies jobs ,,even the union got used and abused ,,Mr Williams will be paid handsomely to not meddle in any of CWC business
GrassRoot 10 years, 3 months ago
Nice tie Mr. Williams!
JohnDoes 10 years, 3 months ago
This title is very misleading, they need to change it to "Leon Williams, one of many that may be considered for Senior Adviser on C&W Board"
realfreethinker 10 years, 3 months ago
At least someone got what they really wanted. While the rest was negotiating on our behalf he was setting up he own play GOOD JOB BRO. F... Perry them I gat me
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 3 months ago
So how is the crony going to be paid? Out of the fund? Will the fund have an office? How dat getting paid? Will the fund need cars? How many? Who paying? Will the fund need office supplies? how dat getting paid? Will the fund need lawyers? How dat getting paid?
B_I_D___ 10 years, 3 months ago
Chaaaa CHING...someone gonna be getting paid...while the masses get PLAYED by their own party...perfect!!
hj 10 years, 3 months ago
PC may not have been able to buy BTC back,but he did make sure his friends "got straight". Maybe that's why the negotiations took so long to complete.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 3 months ago
THIS MAKES THE PATRIOTIC BAHAMIAN SICK TO THE STOMACH
LEON WILLIAMS IS AN OPPORTUNIST
CWC IS CRAFTY......................... ZNS???????????????????????
PERRY IS OUT TO LUNCH (IN ATLANTA)
THE REST A WE................................ SCREWED
John 10 years, 3 months ago
The phone card vendors are crying as we speak. their incomes havd been taken away by C&W and so have the companies that sell phones. BTC did false advertising and told the public that phones purchased from other companies (competitors) may not work on their network. Marlon Johnson took to the airwaves and lied through his teeth (BTW what qualifications does he have except that of a well oiled puppet?). But they say when you spit in the wind it will blow back in your face. Just sit and watch what happens. In fact it aint long now you may also stand and watch, BTC sales is a good measurement.
Ocaba 10 years, 3 months ago
John when will you understand that the BTC Phone cards are not a "Social Welfare" program. There is a cost to doing business. GET HELP DUDE
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Unfortunately, for Comrade Leon or anyone else having anything to do with the PLP, facts/truth is a dead commodity on the pages of the Tribune. Some of you might find it a learning experience not to be peddling your so-called facts/truths based on nothing more than he say's, I heard. How can you judge Comrade Leon so aggressively only on what you heard? Many of you have never even had personal or other contact with this man, yet you talk what you heard and you talk it as if it will stand the test of truth. Disagree with a man's politics is fair political game but it's no game when its intent is to re-manufacturing his character to suit your own politics.
Ocaba 10 years, 3 months ago
Tal grow up. The man was fired and rightly so
Puzzled 10 years, 3 months ago
"...facts/truth is a dead commodity on the pages of the Tribune.."Tal don't forget where you are writing this. If you are correct it could be seen to apply to a comment from you!
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Is this the same Comrade Julian who served as the President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority?
banker 10 years, 3 months ago
Julian recused himself of the decision to fire Leon Williams, and the board was led by the Reverend Patrick Adderley when the decision was made. I have direct knowledge of this. Julian made his remarks after he was verbally attacked. On that fateful day, there were others (notably a woman who was sweethearting) who came close to being fired as well. The board had documentary proof of corruption.
Ocaba 10 years, 3 months ago
Tal if you ever had the occasion to deal with he man when he was at BTC you would not be defending him.
Ocaba 10 years, 3 months ago
Incompetent . Enough said
sheeprunner12 10 years, 3 months ago
Amen to dat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLPs seem to be like Lodge boys. Dey good at covering up dirt and wickedness
Tal mussy on a dem
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 3 months ago
I don't know the man, but the claims posted here of corruption and incompetence, the fact that he was fired...how did Perry Christie entrust him to the negotiating committee? To represent all of us? What must CWC have thought of that? If he stole money from the company, they obviously have access to his HR records.. further what must they have thought of Perry Christie for appointing such a man? It's really weird. Shane at NIB??? BOB? Nygard? It's almost as if someone is deliberately appointing mini hand-in-the-cookie-jar men to ensure they get their take but retain deniability for any movement of funds.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 3 months ago
Its da Lodge effect ....................... darkness, wickedness run tings in dis town
Sleight of da hand.............................. tricks of da craft
Dem Royal Eagle/Arch, Scottish Rites, UGLE fellas
Read MORALS & DOGMA by Albert Pike
SP 10 years, 3 months ago
Mr. Williams appointment is the single best asset the country gained in the negociations.
"Careless and Worthless" now have a seasoned professional to monitor them and look out for the best interest of OUR SHARES.
SP 10 years, 3 months ago
"One Man Jackass" had to get rid of Williams before making a dumb, stupid, bad deal with "careless & worthless".
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