Bradley Roberts
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts has blasted Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis for refusing to meet with Prime Minister Perry Christie over the government’s approach in the aftermath of Baha Mar’s chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
“Three days after being publicly invited to a briefing by the Prime Minister on the critically important issue of Baha Mar and its impact on the economy and Bahamian workers, Minnis remains a no-show,” Mr Roberts said in a press statement.
Mr Roberts said it was “disgraceful” that the Free National Movement (FNM) leader has pretended to care about the 2,400 impacted Baha Mar workers when his actions indicate clearly that he is hoping to use the the ongoing situation with its uncertainty to advance his personal political agenda.
“Even former Cabinet minister Brent Symonette rose above the political fray to defend the sovereignty of The Bahamas and the national dignity of the Bahamian people against abuse and disrespect; Brent Symonette got it right.
“Minnis, who is the leader of the FNM, should be setting this type of statesman-like example. At the very least, he should have demonstrated some level of interest in the work of the government on behalf of the Bahamian people to bring resolution to this national issue.
“Dr Minnis is reminded that he is a servant of the people, part of the government, holds a constitutional position and has a responsibility to the people of the Bahamas who pay his salary.”
The current commercial dispute between three private entities contractually obligated to each other is highly unfortunate, but governments must intervene to protect the public interest, Mr Roberts said.
He urged Dr Minnis to abandon his “silly and selfish political game” and make an attempt to appear to be interested in the wellbeing of Bahamians.
On Monday, Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirilian announced the $3.5bn resort had filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware Court in the United States “in order to complete construction and successfully open”.
The day after the announcement, Mr Christie revealed that the government was caught off guard by the bankruptcy filing. He said it had come at a time when his intervention was yielding results.
At the time he said he invited the FNM leader, in the name of transparency, to sit and discuss the issues. Mr Symonette has lashed out at Mr Izmirilian for what he called “a great degree of disrespect” and “contempt” for the country.
Comments
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
.............................. Dr Minnis Was Not Privy To Heads Of Agreements ..........................
Dr Minnis would be a bigger jackass than Christie if he allows himself to stick his nose into a situation he was not privy to prior to there being a problem.
PM Christie created the problem and now finds himself BY HIMSELF where he put himself!
Minnis cannot possibly be THAT STUPID!
ohdrap4 8 years, 9 months ago
misery loves company that is why he was invited
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
by TalRussell
OMG 8 years, 9 months ago
Was Minnis ever invited to discuss this project before the crisis, of course not. Now that there are problems suddenly we want to involve the opposition. Wondering why this project never had competent supervisors reporting at regular intervals to the Government, after all this poor workmanship and falling behind deadlines didn't happen overnight.
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
When Minnis showed up at BAMSI which is gov't owned they locked him out. Now they want send for him
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
Comrade Thomas, I might not agree with some issues you have raised of import to our Bahamaland but I'd have to insult me own intelligence, not to admit that what you have to say on Minnis, even thinking propping up this PLP Cabinet, aint' ringing true up in me head.
Why would Minnis want to stop them from wallowing in their own failures and denials.
if Minnis and his House MP's, walks over to the PLP camp, then voters might as well take it that, if the red shirts can trust this PLP Cabinet today - why not trust them with another majority government come the 2017 General Elections?
Comrade Thomas, you nailed it for even a simple-mined Comrade Tal to understand.
I thanks you making all we Tribune readers bring fresh hard thinking about this PLP Cabinet's suspiciously suspect offer to join hands with Minnis.
realfreethinker 8 years, 9 months ago
Minnis would be a real a..hole if he fall for that trick. Perry created the mess by himself so he should clean it up by himself.If Perry is so concerned about transparency.where is the neww deal for BTC
banker 8 years, 9 months ago
It's ironic to think that the dim-witted rapist would think that caring for the 2,400 Bahamian jobs entails swimming in Chinese vomit that Christie created. Rather, not going to meet the todger dunderheads shows the genuine concern for workers.
Here is the scenario. The government, in deep coitus in the Chinese, has blocked the Izmirlian funds, and will pay the workers for a month. Afterwards, they will all hang out to dry, and I don't blame Izmirlian if he lets them go after that. Make it the government's problem if they want to meddle.
He did this to get Baha Mar on the rails again quickly, and this perverted, sold-out government representing the Chinese are obstructing his efforts. If Izmirilian has his way, there is a possibility of no lay-offs. Instead with the government meddling, after the first month, with them dragging their heels on the Chapter 11, all of the employees may be on the street, unless the government wants to take them all on the payroll. After a month, I doubt it. They will be out of luck.
This government thinks that the initial show of paying the wages will make everyone forget about them not paying wages next month. Right now, the government is the biggest threat to the Baha Mar workers, and the stupid rapist can't even figure that out before he opens his smelly mouth.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 9 months ago
Obviously Perry is not up to speed on this Bahamar deal. Obviously he doe snot know what is going on. Meeting with Perry would be counter-productive. Minnis should meet with Sarkis and CCA and get the actual story then Minnis should go and brief Perry....
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