Prime Minister Perry Christie speaks at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association seminar yesterday.
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
THE Christie administration is forging ahead with plans to construct a new House of Assembly complex and Prime Minister’s residence with recommendations for both undertakings to be made before a Parliamentary committee.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, who made the announcement yesterday, said it was an appropriate time to consider the matter especially regarding locations for both facilities as New Providence currently sees a spark in new developments.
In the infant stages of the plan and amid considerable fiscal constraints, Mr Christie said it was also his intention to ensure that the new complex allowed for each elected official to have an office. The new complex will also house the Senate among other things, Mr Christie said.
It is not yet known how much the new buildings could cost taxpayers.
Mr Christie was speaking during the opening ceremony of the Post Election Seminar - Bahamas Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The two-day meeting, which comes to a close today, was held at the Beach Towers, Atlantis Paradise Island.
Mr Christie said: “When we entertain guests on behalf of the country, we have to go, in the case of the former Prime Minister and myself either in a dining room or a hotel or a private room in a hotel. Or in the case of actual travelling, borrowing Sol Kerzner’s suite in this hotel to entertain on behalf of the Bahamian people.
“Therefore, I would like to propose before a committee of the House of Assembly as the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in as near in the future as can be constitutionally arranged, meaning that if the committee is still standing that is listed in the House (of Assembly) to look into conditions and benefits for Members of Parliament.
“If that committee is still standing then I would like to appear before the committee with a view to presenting specific recommendations about the establishment of a new Parliament that would house both the House of Assembly and the Senate that would embrace the possibility of all of the modern conveniences of the House of Assembly, inclusive of offices for Members of Parliament.”
Mr Christie said Opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis should also be in support of the move, as, if he is successful in becoming Prime Minister at some point, he would benefit from the new facilities.
“If you become Prime Minister one day it will affect you. You would be the beneficiary of it, not so much me because I am in the twilight of my political career. But these things are so serious that somehow we have allowed the political will to be lacking. We have caused there to be a feeling that the institution of Parliament must be a budgetary concern. It’s like having a cathedral.”
Last February, Mr Christie announced that despite fiscal constraints, the Government was considering a new Parliament and Prime Minister’s residence.
As a result, he faced considerable backlash from political pundits who said Mr Christie should be more focused on pressing issues, including unemployment and the national debt.
Comments
ohdrap4 10 years ago
shopping spree with vat money and the people just take it like sheep
JohnDoes 10 years ago
I wonder how this became priority before Her Majesty's Prison.
BahamianAway 10 years ago
So what's the point of Government House then...They have that big house sitting there for pretty. Utilize that if you want to entertain guest on behalf of the Bahamian people. I am sure there are enough rooms in there to facilitate such a thing.
thomas 10 years ago
Let the good times roll.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
I like that he according to the Nassau Guardian said, it should be on the beach (well his residence of course), and as one of the reasons to have a PM residence was that if there ever was a PM from the Family Islands. Well. right. as if this were ever to happen.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
Build both on a deserted cay. Then you have ocean view and time to consider the world.
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
He is clearly not clinically sane.
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
...besides..don't we already have a Prime Ministers residence that was built with the tax payers money...on Skyline Drive?
TalRussell 10 years ago
Stop playing so damn red financially stupid? Taxpayers could have built like 10 Official PM Residences out of what has been paid out in Housing allowances alone to to our PM's over the years. An official PM Residence is a positive spendthrift way to spend taxpayers hard-earned dollars. Can you imagine what a chunk of prime real estate would fetch in today's real estate market, if only Sir Stafford had built an Official Residence for Premier Pop Symonette? Comrades, I don't want believe how low you reds will go when it comes to any sitting PM getting around to finally constructing an Official Prime Minister's Residence. Not going to argue against the PLP's reputation as a big spenders, but using public funds for a PM residence shouldn't invite personal criticism, regardless who occupies the office. Some of you Comrades have gotten much too emotionally detached from supporting what is good for Bahamaland. I don't think the PM Christie should stop with just a PM Official Residence but while he's at it, construct an Office Residence for the Official Leader Of The Opposition., even if in 2017 it be a red Minnis, Loretta, Duane, Daron, or even it be for the real dark horse in the race, Cooper's Town Papa Hubert. After all, we all knows who Hubert had in he mind, when he placed he special order in Germany for that luxury quarter-million-dollar Mercedes Benz.
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
All we have to do is kick Dame Marguerite out of the Prime Ministers residence.
GrassRoot 10 years ago
Good Point. Maybe we should expropriate the U.S.A. and PM should move into U.S. Ambassador's residence, no one there anyhow.
jlcandu 10 years ago
I agree. There already is a PM's residence on Skyline Drive -- why hasn't Dame Marguerite gotten her eviction notice. She should be able to afford her own place since she is being paid $80,000/year from the state for doing absolutely nothing, a car, a driver, a butler and maid. Not to mention all the money LOP hid away in Swiss bank accounts.
Why do we need a new Parliament anyway? It's not as if anything actually gets accomplished there. All the MP's do is talk and talk ad nauseum .... hell they could do at the beach!!!
There are more pressing issues in this country that to build a new house for the PM. The PM needs to be on the telephone with the MD of BOB and the Mortgage Corporation to find out which Bahamians are being evicted from their homes and step in as Minister of Finance to see what he could personally do to help them, since their Mortgage Relief programme was just another broken promise never realized.
jackbnimble 10 years ago
Lol. I agree. I always thought that Skyline Drive was the "official" Prime Minister's residence. Godo one B_I_D! Lol.
ohdrap4 10 years ago
Fred mitchell needs a place to work out. There will be a Gym in it.
I think some of the portentous MPs could use the gym too.
rony 10 years ago
Agree also!! Our PM obviously is blind, brain dead or a gold digger!
hj 10 years ago
Is this man so out of it or he is simply trying to distract the attention of the Bahamian people? With so many serious issues the country s facing, he is talking about new parliament and PM''s residence?
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
Who else also saw the headlines of this article and thought it was a new Parliament as in...push for an early election or vote of no confidence and replace the PEOPLE in Parliament? ;-) LOL
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Because we as a country can afford to. I can't for the life of me fathom how on one hand the country is in deficit and that we are looking at a 15% rate for VAT. But then on the other hand we can afford to construct residences for the PM and for entertaining dignitaries from other nations.
Just an idea but could we possibly look at getting our country out of debt first...but then again judging from the way we are going those residences might just be built by the Chinese government. They are building everything else around New Providence.
I propose a reduction in the salary of Mr. Prime Minister to help facilitate the building of the new residences. Furthermore going forward every PM should be charged some type of rental fee to occupy the residence. After all who will pay for the electric, cable, and water in the residence- none other than the hard working public service employees who can barely afford the roof over their own heads but must now pay VAT and any other additional taxes these politicians come up with to offset their exorbitant spending.
banker 10 years ago
I love this man! He is the best Prime Minister that the Bahamas has ever had! He is my hope and my salvation! Because of his cursed policies, his abject stupidity and his reckless spending pushing the Bahamas into a downward spiral, my employer has decided to get the hell out, and instead of losing my job, I get a ticket off this cursed, pathetic limestone rock with its dysfunctional society. God Bless the PLP and Perry Christie. I am saved! This is better than a Christian rapture! Goodbye cruel land of my birth ... hello opportunity and a decent life!
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
At least someone got a free ride out of here!! Time to get while the getting is good!
ohdrap4 10 years ago
Send that Tsunami!!!
jlcandu 10 years ago
Congratulations!!! I'm currently trying to sell a triplex in order to pay off our mortgage and get off this cursed rock with my family.
Anybody want to buy a triplex? And yes, the property taxes have been paid!!
BahamianAway 10 years ago
This is the problem with the Bahamas now...why would you not stay and attempt to be a voice to make it better. Change can only occur when people stand together and make it happen.
But if every Bahamian with a sensible voice gives up and moves away it just leaves idiots behind. Furthermore no matter where you go things will never be perfect, and you will always be a stranger in someone else's land.
Why not be a positive change in your own...we complain and we moan about things but at the end of the day we don't have the gumption or the balls to step and at least try to evoke a change.
Never mind my name says BahamianAway...that is temporary. As soon as I have completed my education to the point where I can contribute something of value to my country I will be back. I don't want to be one of those Bahamians who complain endlessly about what can be changed but then make no effort to be one that at least tries to.
/just food for thought.
ohdrap4 10 years ago
the problem is that this a govt of septuagenarians.
they had their 3 score and ten and should be kicked out, but they got young fools to vote them in.
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Well who are the young fools representing but the Bahamian people. The government has Bahamians right where they want them...blind and being led to slaughter like little meek lambs.
They go to these political rallies and looking for free food, TV's, t-shirts, musical entertainment and other free things. The government knows exactly how to keep the Bahamian people blinded to the real truths...throw them a few Kaliks and some rake and scrap.
Until Bahamians stop looking for the free ham and turkey and school books and pencils they will always get bamboozled. When you MP comes around, when it's election times this is when all this lip should be used.
Ask for laws that only allow for a Prime Minister to be in for 2 terms, laws that limit budget spending on certain things...instead Bahamians get hooked by legalization of flipping numbers.
My goodness...smh!! It pisses me off that when given the chance during election season to ask the pertinent questions and to make known the legitimate concerns of the people suddenly everyone quiet. Oh we got our ham and turkey, our washer and dryer, free t-shirts, and every rally is a free for all party with the winner being who can provide the best good time for all to have.
Then two years into a new term NIGGAS (and yes I said niggas because I swear that's the mentality we still have at times) want to complain.
Don't f'in complain after you already elected someone who didn't have your best interest as a country at heart. You were to busy being swung by the glitter on the surface to see that underneath was just a bunch of tin.
JohnDoes 10 years ago
Rebuilding those Facilities before Expanding and/or Relocating Her Majesty's Prison will be a complete shame and waste of the country's money. This is more proof that they are more concerned about their personal comfort rather the comfort of overall Bahamians.
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Please you think they care about the state of the prison. Do you know how many more valid and useful things can be done with any money spent to create a PM residence.
The Prison -as you said needs to be expanded, which in truth there is no where to go. It's like the landfill, they need to relocate the prison to a remote island and only keep holding cells and minimum security at the facility in Fox Hill. All others will be ferried to the island - maybe this would speed trial dates up as well.
They are just looking at upgrading PMH...there is no much more that can be done. Kudos we have a new A&E but what about the surgical wards, the neo-natal units etc...all could use a good upgrade.
COB- they are doing what they can but there is still room for expansion of degree programmes as well as upgrading the campus, Maybe then more Bahamian students might actually be interested in attending COB instead of going away to school.
There is so much that can be done...and that is just three of them.
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
Plenty of space still out by Gladstone Road for a new prison...and it's a shorter drive for the circus clowns in the prison buses to get to Thompson Blvd/Nassau Street for courts...or even to Bank Lane and Parliament Street for that matter.
BahamianAway 10 years ago
While that may be...they need to get the criminals off the island. You commit a serious crime don't be looking for family visit day. That's the problem with these people...they have to many luxuries afforded them while in prison. Keep it to the basic minimum to sustain life.
People working a hard 9-5 and could barely afford to buy milk, bread, cheese, and eggs. These dudes eating three times a day and ain't have to worry about BEC turning lights off or losing water cause they ain pay the Water and Sewage bill.
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
You have a point about the family visits thing...I like it. I've passed the prison many times when it was 'feeding time at the zoo', you can barely get down Fox Hill road sometimes they have it so jammed up with cars and people moving about to visit. I am definitely one for NOT making your stay in prison a pleasant one. By all means, it must be sanitary and safe, but not the Ritz Carlton (relatively speaking) that some of the newer US prisons are...complete with Cable TV and many more perks.
Bahamianpride 10 years ago
Pure Stupidity... Ass Backwards... there u have it unions your case is made that they can afford your raises..
Bahamianpride 10 years ago
Time for a tribune/ Bahamas news break for a few months, the reparation thing got me to the edge, this just pushed me over, don't want to read anymore of the foolishness..
sheeprunner12 10 years ago
Think about this
We have a Government House where the rep of the Head of State lives..... QE2
We have NO official residence for the CEO of the country
We cannot own Skyline Drive mansion for the people........ thats Pindlings $5 million dollar home....... courtesy of his ex-pat friends and connections
Yes I have been calling for a new Prison on a deserted cay long time
WE NEED AN OFFICIAL RESIDENCE FOR OUR PRIME MINISTER.
Bahamianpride 10 years ago
its really bad timing, money is being borrowed constantly to fill budget shortfalls, and cries of being broke are echoed from the politicians.. when committees for reparations are being formed, when people are losing there houses, unions are protesting in the streets for better pay and benefits, new taxes are coming online, and the list goes on..
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Just goes to show where the priority lies.
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
We have no money. In my wildest dreams I didn't think they would spend the VAT money this quickly. John Rolle must be holding his head right now.
Cornel 10 years ago
Just build all the buildings and consider them the same a property taxes or a BEC bill and simply don't pay for them once they are finished.
sheeprunner12 10 years ago
Bahamianpride
Whats the difference????????? Add up ALL of the housing allowances that we have paid to Pindling, Ingraham and Christie since Independence. Say $3000.00 per month x 480 months = $1.5 million. That could have contributed towards an official residence.
Dont you think we would have saved some money by now????????? THINK!!!!!!!!!!!
realityisnotPC 10 years ago
Thinking would be good, but yours does not appear to be very clear. A monthly allowance is an expense, building a new residence is a capital investment. People take out a mortgage and make their monthly payments for the same reason why it makes sense to pay an allowance instead of building a PM's residence, i.e. because they cannot afford to pay cash up front to buy a house, just like the government cannot afford to build a PM's residence right now.
You're not even considering the fact that there is NO WAY these guys in power would consider spending a tiny $1.5m on a PM's residence. With today's building costs and the opulence that you know they would want to surround themselves with, you wouldn't get much change from $10m or even $15m. And if you are even considering the ridiculous idea of a new Parliament, I hope they have a spare $100m lying around.
JohnDoes 10 years ago
There is nothing wrong with Parliament, just the people in it.
TalRussell 10 years ago
I have a question for all you self-professed Comrade Church members on this hereto Tribune blog, and there are many, to kindly educate readers, why do you allow collection plate monies and your church ties to foot the living expenses for your big shots preacherman's fancy homes? Collection is somewhat voluntarily but your Ties are like a church tax, right? Why so spendthrift when it comes to a taxpayers owned and funded Official PM's Residence, but keep your damn mouths taped shut when it comes down to all the fancy houses ya preacherman's be living in luxury comfort and either not owned by the church, or living in all expenses paid church built and owned parsonages? Comrades, get real with your collection plates and ties, before criticizing PM Christie for trying rush help Papa Hubert have an Official PM Residence done under construction by 2017, after all, Hubert did leave behind that newly delivered brand new luxury Benz for he former trusted law partner. No, Loretta you ain’t moving in.
JohnDoes 10 years ago
What does this have to do with the price of rice in China?
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Because if you believe in the Bible the money you place in the collection plate is the 10% you are required by the Lord to give. The way I look at it is if I give my 10% I get my blessings regardless of whether they use the money to buy the preacher a Benz or to pay the light bill. What they use God's money for is between them and God- I have done my part. Now that isn't to see if I see a church with extravagant spending I won't be saying something...but you get the point.
JohnDoes 10 years ago
Thats all, Comrade Tal worrying about the wrong thing, you did your part, let the 'Preacherman' be held accountable for what he did with the money on behalf of God. Im sure he'll get judged 50x times harder.
concernedcitizen 10 years ago
@BAHAMAINPRIDE ,no where in the bible does it say give 10% ,The part where Jesus supposedley says "pay under to ceaser etc" was put in by King James b/c he was having problems collecting taxes ,,and it appears you are saying you buy blessings ,gee the Church used to have a price on forgiveness from sin now its the doctrine of prosperity ,i can talk to the creator on the beach at sunrise and give 20 bucks to someone hungry or buy a needy child school clothes privately ,i think thats what God wants
BahamianAway 10 years ago
Don't be an idiot please...
The Bible doesn't say what percentage to give but it does say to give God the first fruits of your labour. Furthermore that scripture you are supposedly quoting was in reference to taxes, however if you read the rest of the passage you would see that the question was posed to Jesus in order to trap him- his response was a diplomatic one that in no way endorsed the payment of taxes to Caesar but more so to say if it is his then give to him what is his. - read a Bible cause I don't have to time give you a Bible lesson on things that are fundamental (especially if you quoting scripture).
I am in no way attempting to buy blessings, I am doing that which was instructed by God in various passages in the Bible. Giving freely and of a good heart because God loves a cheerful giver, giving a portion of that which he blessed me with. No on is saying it has to be monetary. If you are a farmer and all you have are fruits then give fruits, if you are a butcher and you have meat give meat- God will still be pleased. I was merely trying to explain to TalRussel why this situation cannot be compared to tithing in church.
I am able to work and make money so I give a portion of the money he blessed me with- that's my tithe and I speak for myself.
Islandgirl 10 years ago
Have Dame Marguerite deed the Pindling mansion as a gift to the Bahamian people, that is to be used as the Prime Minister's official residence. After the mess this country turned into after the drug running years, it is the least she can do. We don't owe her like she declared during a speech many years ago. It's the other way around.
realityisnotPC 10 years ago
It's not hard to make an argument for the need for an official PM's residence, BUT you have to be completely brain dead to think NOW would be the appropriate time to spend millions of dollars on such a project. It is pure insanity and shows a complete and utter disrespect and/or misunderstanding of the desperate need for our country to put its fiscal house in order. If a political leader in any developed democracy in the rest of the world were to make such a suggestion under such circumstances, he or she would immediately face a vote of no confidence and be out of the job in weeks. It is just shameful.
GQ 10 years ago
NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have the answer to The Prime Minister's plan to build a new parliament etc.
Build a new prison and put the inmates in it.
Put all the parliamentarians in the existing prison and throw away the keys.
B_I_D___ 10 years ago
Perfect!!
sheeprunner12 10 years ago
U guys dont understand national pride............. my God dont u think we can do better in an independent country than using a 200 year old bulding built by white American refugees?
ThisIsOurs 10 years ago
National pride? UR joking right? Putting fresh paint on a crumbling structure fools nobody. Can you imagine the conversation PGC had with US delegates as he told them about the new wonderful idea of selling sand to them? National pride? If we had any we would chose leaders we could be proud of.
sansoucireader 10 years ago
Will the stupidity ever end??!! The PM's residence is the current home of whoever is Prime Minister. Go to Nassau Plastics, The Sign Man or one of those sign making businesses and get a sign made that reads OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS and nail it the wall outside the house. Problem solved! Fed up with politicians who are living in Fantasy Land.
BahamianDiaspora 10 years ago
The headline should have read: Time for a new government!!!
Has this idiot loss his mind: "But these things are so serious that somehow we have allowed the political will to be lacking. We have caused there to be a feeling that the institution of Parliament must be a budgetary concern. It’s like having a cathedral." WORST PM IN THE HISTORY OF THE BAHAMAS
John 10 years ago
If you do a search for the happiest countries to live in, countries like Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Canada, Austrailia and Sweden would come up. The common denominator among these countries is that they have a large GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy from birth, and a lack of corruption in leadership. Citizens have a sense of social support, freedom to make life choices and a culture of genorisity. In Denmark which is often rated the number one country to enjoy your life in, citizens are their brothers keeper, there is gender equality, health care is a civil right and priority is given to parenting. The national wealth of these countries is distributed amongst the people.
Amongst the saddest (worst) countries to live in are countries like Chad, Syria, Libya, Brundi, Central African republic, Afghanastan, Congo and Togo (that used to be the center of the west African slave trade. While many of these countries have national assets in the form of oil, minerals, including gold and diamonds, much of the citizenry live in abject poverty, some malnourished, while the wealth of the nation is horded by a chosen few or even foreigners. Violence and civil unrest is common in these countries and many of the governments have seized and held on to power by force.
Of the 12 "worst' listed countries to live in, TEN are black, Haiti is rated number 30. We may have a long ways to go to becoming amongst the most happy nations, but the Bahamas is still better off than most.
TalRussell 10 years ago
How can your pride in your Bahamaland allow my dear Comrades to say the most silly things in opposition to PM Christie moving ahead to construct an official prime minister's residence. What better time to move forward with securing a prime chunk of real estate than during a period when financial restraints on government spending are being called for.
John 10 years ago
Governance is an ongoing exercise Tal. The right decision will not always be made and neither will the best decision be made all the time. Fortunately in the Bahamas we have a democracy, where when we feel decisions are not made in our best interest, we can exercise the power of the vote. Remember some of the attributes in the happy countries:
Can one say he is contributing towards progress when he sits in front of a computer and criticizes everything and everybody on a daily basis?
TalRussell 10 years ago
Comrade I am one of but a small handful Tribune bloggers when it comes to criticism I offer no assurances of enjoying a political clear-free sailing, be you a PLP, FNM or Green. How could we as a nation continue flourishing as an open-society if opposing voices became silent?
The_Oracle 10 years ago
Nero Fiddled while Rome Burned..... We are a constitutional Monarchy, with Democratic Voting rights. We have the rule of law and constitution outlining rights, protections and obligations! Which we have and continue to ignore. (at our own peril) This foolishness follows the idiocy of the elected predominant since independence, throwing out the existing system and replacing it with petty arbitrary garbage. Note most deposed leaders of other countries spent their last days in their Palaces.... surrounded by their pillaged treasures. Whom the Gods would destroy, they first make mad.
TalRussell 10 years ago
I see the building of an official prime minister's residence as one of the most precious tourist attraction jewels that Hubert will never be able to take credit for building. Go for it PM Christie,
sheeprunner12 10 years ago
We need a new paradigm shift in governance............................ new Parliament, new politicians, new constitution........................ DNA all the way
SP 10 years ago
Only thing worse than a corrupt Prime Minister is STUPID & CORRUPT Prime Minister.
Between Hubert and Perry I'm having a hard time distinguishing which is the biggest jackass!
Meanwhile former Israeli PM & Pakistan leaders charged with bribery & treason...hmmm
http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-court-c...">http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-court-c...
http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan...">http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan...
BahamianAway 10 years ago
This is just another reason why they need to put a time limit on how long a person can be the leader of a country. So by the time the power of being leader goes to their head and they start on with this kind of shiite their time in power would be up.
TalRussell 10 years ago
Comrades it is clear PM Christie has been spendthrift with taxpayers money. How so? Cause he assigned a driver to opposition leader Minnis but cut back on providing him with a car. In fact, Minnis told the PM that it's good thing he has his own car for his driver to drive him around, or he'd be sitt'in on back of a 'bicycle built for two," while his driver peddles him around Nassau town from event to event. I swear I didn't just make that up, Minnis actually said it to the PM.
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