The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

It was widely believed that the PLP government was elected in 2012 simply because it ran a ”better campaign” than the FNM and the DNA. The foundation of the campaign has fallen apart, and voters, even the ones blinded by promises of gold, frankincense and myrrh, can now see that the many pledges made, ranging from crime to mortgage relief, and even to a better economy, were false promises and none have materialised.

What is even more concerning is that the PLP promised a better and more transparent way of governance and if we take a closer look at the crime warnings from the USA, the record murders, the failures to disclose financial information, and the colossal failures of the many ministers to do nothing other than to promote themselves and/or their constituents, the abuse of parliamentary privileges and immature use of comments such as “political garbage cans” as answers, the clear answer is that The Bahamian people are the losers, not the DNA or FNM. We can now see that it is not a matter of running a better campaign, it is a case of doing a better job simply misleading the Bahamian electorate with false promises and simple lies, with no plans for accountability.

I write today not as a DNA or FNM supporter, or even a disgruntled PLP, but as a concerned Bahamian who is amazed at the seemingly flippant way of governance and manner of dismissing or vilifying the credible questioner or curious Bahamian who rightfully seeks answers to any claim of ineffective leadership or political or financial dishonesty that the PLP has provided since 2012. Its Chairman’s way of attempting to bully and intimidate anyone who speaks the truth about the PLP’s arrogance, political dishonesty, failure to listen to the Bahamian electorate, and failed promises on all fronts, will be one of the principal reasons for the PLP’s defeat in 2017. The handling of Marathon, the lack of direction at the Bank of Bahamas, the many loans that PLP politicians have that are not being paid while enterprising Bahamians are evicted from their homes or automobiles repossessed while hundreds of millions of dollars in PLP based commercial and residential non-performing loans are not being managed, the nolle prosequi fiasco, the obvious financial crisis at NIB, the enrichment of Ministers who entered politics and amassed wealth significantly more than their earnings as politicians, the rush to pass stem cell and gaming legislation as obvious 2012 political paybacks, will all fly in the face of the PLP. These examples and many more that Bahamians can all instantly recall are examples that illustrate to the Bahamian people exactly how the PLP government misled us in 2012, and how it continues to mislead today.

Prime Minister Perry Christie said a long time ago that he would rather win an election doing what is right, than to win doing what is wrong! What a euphemism! And another misleading statement! He will do whatever he has to do, or say nothing and remain ineffectively silent while his ministers do his bidding, and refuse to speak, reprimand, or rein them in so that he can say he knows nothing about it, or the fact of the matter is that he is looking into it. In any business environment, this is called poor leadership and is grounds for immediate termination.

Look at the cases around the world, and in politics, where poor business leaders’ contracts are not being renewed or instantly terminated and dishonest or ineffective political leaders are not being re-elected.

The concern today does not stop here. With all of the revenue Government has collected from VAT and other forms of taxation, and notwithstanding spending $14m on Carnival in 2015 and another $8-$10m planned for this year for a party as their way to inspiring the Bahamian people and creating happiness for a weekend, and richness for others for a short time, can you please cause your investigative reports to determine why the Government of The Bahamas, led by Perry Christie, Phillip Davis, and Shane Gibson, are not ensuring that it pays the National Insurance Board for the monthly rental expenses, maintenance and upkeep for the various government properties that the Government has caused NIB to construct, and has entered binding lease agreements with NIB to pay the monthly lease and maintenance expenses timely to NIB, but chooses to instead spend its VAT and tax earning having street parties, holding non-binding referendums, and flying around the world with large entourages promoting themselves in the guise of promoting The Bahamas, and providing a stronger Bahamas for their families, and less safe and respected Bahamas for the electorate?

The impact of the Christi-led government not paying its NIB billings is causing significant cash flow issues at NIB at never seen levels and is leaving the investment team with a dwindling portfolio and little opportunity for any real investments to ensure that the NIB fund continues to grow. This is not a case of running NIB as a private enterprise as Gibson, Rowena Bethell and others claim, it is the case of running NIB as a functioning unit that seeks to collect the revenues owed from all sources, including the government. The real question is that as NIB is not being paid, where is the money going? Or will the Chairman respond with more hot air and not answer the question?

HENLEY

Nassau,

April 15, 2016.