The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Recently you said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had questioned “peace and security” with a threat to Bahamian security by an investor, although how this could be the case is not clear. You took this to mean Sarkis Izmirlian, However it could easily be another investor, for example, may I suggest Peter Nygard.

One has invested some $500 million of his own money, in the biggest development ever in New Providence, thereby employing thousands of Bahamians with spin-off for Bahamian shop and restaurant owners and their employees.

PN on the other hand has invested money in enhancement of his personal property, employing few Bahamians and flying in the face of all Government rules and regulations. I suppose the difference amounts to PN throwing big parties for his personal enjoyment, and boasting about his contributions to the PLP to help win an election.

Also, of course, he is somewhat responsible for introducing racism, in the form of Klu Klux Klan figures and Junkanoo. There has not been a hint of racism on the part of SI.

And now servitude is being introduced. Seemingly the Government is willing to transfer ownership of huge developments to a foreign Government. Hard to imagine any greater threat to sovereignty than this.

Furthermore to cause or force any change of ownership, would be no surer way of deterring local or foreign investment.

Also the AG and the DPM have lauded to the skies the Chinese workmanship.

This must come as somewhat of a surprise to the Government of Guyana that suspended work by the Chinese state company over missed deadlines and failure to do proper engineering studies.

Rumour has it that there is a lot to be desired, by the same people in the construction of Baha Mar.

However never fear, Minister, when both you and the PM have departed the scene, and faded into history the development envisaged by SI, will stand as a monument to his investment. In years to come, when perhaps you will be driving by Baha Mar with a visitor and perhaps young Bahamians, they will look and profess astonishment at this big development. If they ask who is responsible, no doubt you will reply “someone whom I tried to get thrown out of The Bahamas”. At which no doubt they will look at you in blank amazement and say “Why”.

In short SI’s investment is more than that of the entire Government, both in investments and employment of Bahamians. Not only that but SI and his family will no doubt still continue their worldwide projects and investments in their headquarters in The Bahamas, where they employ Bahamian professionals.

In case you may think that I am an employee of Baha Mar, or have been encouraged to write this, I have never ever met SI and would not recognize him if I saw him on the street. I only remain an:

INTERESTED

SPECTATOR,

Nassau,

August 6, 2015.