The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Were I an executive of Rubis Bahamas, I would be quite happy today, all things considered.

More than 20,000 gallons of gasoline were leaked into the ground from a fuel station in Nassau bearing the company’s name, in the process driving businesses from their premises and allegedly contaminating the water supply of nearby residents.

Thus far, however, the public outrage sparked by this incident has fallen squarely on the shoulders of the government, in particular the member of parliament for Marathon, Jerome Fitzgerald.

In the circumstances, Rubis seems to be getting a free pass.

The government has appointed a retired court justice to conduct an independent review of its own delay in releasing a report on the fuel leak – a futile exercise that will only waste more time

What the government should be doing – what they should have done two years ago when the matter first came to their attention – is launch a full investigation into the circumstances behind the leak, and bring appropriate prosecutions where necessary.

Why all the smoke and mirrors? What could be more clear-cut than an investigation that seeks to place blame where it really belongs?

Politicians the world over are experts in deflecting negative press away from themselves, they are masters of the elsewhere-pointing finger. Why then, does our government suddenly want to spend time and public money on a review of its own actions in this matter, when the appropriate target for an investigation is sitting there in front of them?

Bahamians must ask themselves why our government is willing to take the brunt of the ever-growing criticism over this leak. What could possibly be in it for them?

As for the MP for Marathon, I would urge him to act alone if he must in demanding that the actions or inactions of Rubis in the run-up to and aftermath of this leak be fully probed and the facts laid bare for all to see.

After all, whatever the reasoning behind his colleagues’ reluctance to take appropriate action, it is Fitzgerald and no one else that has been left out in the cold, his career swinging in the harsh political wind.

TOM PAINE

Nassau,

June 13, 2015.