Dr Bernard Nottage accepts the donation of $1.2m from China to pay for military equipment.
THE People’s Republic Of China yesterday presented The Bahamas government with $1.2m to assist the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in enhancing its duties.
Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage told reporters, as he received the “gift” from the Chinese government, that it was the result of discussions that happened last year where the RBDF was given the opportunity to list its needs.
The money will be used to purchase military equipment, including armoured vehicles, anti-riot grenade launchers and tear gas grenades, among other things.
He accepted the donation during a brief ceremony at the Ministry of National Security in the Churchill Building at Bay Street.
Dr Nottage said: “This is a gift of US$1.2 million for the defence force and the (RBDF) was given the opportunity to indicate what they would wish to assist in its development.
“So we have got a short-list here of 33 different types of items which include two armoured vehicles for the defence force, two 38 automatic anti-riot grenade launchers, 10,038 smoke tear gas grenades, anti-riot gear sets, (and) portable low-light level night vision goggles - 60 of those.”
The RBDF’s youth band, the Rangers, also will be outfitted with new instruments.
Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Yuan Guisen said the Chinese government was delighted to make the donation with a view to better enhancing the duties of the RBDF.
Comments
Publius 8 years, 2 months ago
Were the Tribune and other media houses drunk and high at this press conference? How can they report on this in a manner that indicates they clearly did not hear or understand what the government claims it is stocking up on with this money? Is the media in this country completely blind and stupid or is it just this compromised?
Do Bahamians not understand how deathly serious this is?
Romrok 8 years, 2 months ago
Sorry Tribune, you misspelt "government" as "military equipment".
asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago
So the PLP getting ready for riots, I wonder why? Funny how this PLP government is the first time cabinet ministers needed to be armed with hand guns and now the government needs riot gear and armoured vehicles, seems to me they are getting ready for something, could it be a backlash because of their corruption and mismanagement of the country?
banker 8 years, 2 months ago
Over 10,000 tear gas cannisters -- presumably to use against the population when they rise up against the governing scumbags.
asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago
I tell you they are scared of something!
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
they ein guh use them on themselves or the tourist. That us leaves us and the potcakes!
All4One 8 years, 2 months ago
What's the proverb? "There are none so blind as those who WILL NOT see."
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
look at BJ big smile jhed. And now at the end of the day the Chinese will have both the gov't and the military (deference force / RBPF) in their pockets. Maybe after the FNM dem finish falling apart, the new RED party can arise.
1voice 8 years, 2 months ago
I am wondering what the money is really for! Because if I can refresh my memory, when the so called mini riots are developing the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is never anywhere around. The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) are always in the front line catching hell for it. Where was the RBDF some time ago when the people of Nassau Village were rioting (oh my bad the government called it civil unrest!). The RBDF was not there. So tell me why they are getting the money for armored vehicles, riot gear equipment.
Just another day and another dollar in the hands of some politician that will buy shoddy pieces of crap and pocket the bulk of the money.
DisgustedBahamian 8 years, 2 months ago
The money is to put more ammunition in the hands of the police & Defence force so they can continue to commit most of the crimes.
Alltoomuch 8 years, 2 months ago
This frightens me enormously. I just do not understand a) how anyone can make jokes about this! & b) why there isn't a much more alarmed response to the whole scenario!!? Whatever happened to this wonderful peaceful country we once had. This is serious business. Sounds like we're going to be living in a war-zone anytime soon!!
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
"Comrades Hands up, don't shoot your new Chinese projectiles!
Prime Minister you must reject the $1.2 million for "military" equipment and if not the people and media must demand its rejection. PM it is unwise to risk adding to your list of 2017 risks already in play.
Comrades why don't you ask the kids of Tiananmen Square student demonstrators for democracy of 1989, why the $1.2 million that can be used for military style population control projectiles, and not "rubber bullets" is a bad idea?
PLP Cabinet never issue your policeman's, the types military equipment you are not prepared to watch your people being fogged with, right before the projectiles start firing at the people.
Maybe one day, brought out to be used against the very government that did the issuing.
PM and PLP Cabinet; "Hands up, don't shoot your new Chinese projectiles!
by TalRussell
Abaconian 8 years, 2 months ago
Tal, you still PLP? lol
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Abaconian, they sure work pretty damn hard at not making it worthwhile stay in the battle. I hope this has more to do with surrounding the PLP cabinet with the worst media consults big money shouldn't be buying and not the way the government really thinks.
Hopefuls, its a Photoshop fake but he sure looks like the minister.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
PLP would never reject a handout
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 2 months ago
They ain't giving these people any money, they are signing the paperwork for the gift. The CHINESE military equipment will be sent here or may be on the dock now for all we know. This is real serious shit. This is a crew that can't secure one damned thing and when the gangs get this shit to use against them that will be the end of the game. When the Bahamian people are really fed up and march on the Capital they will be mowed down CHINESE style.
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 2 months ago
10,038 smoke tear gas grenades - anyone know what the case/pack is on these. They must come in a slanted box to have such odd numbering.
by MonkeeDoo
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrade Jamaican's say NO to their government accepting £25millon from Britain to build a new prison?
Comrade Bahamlander's the same message must be delivered to the PLP Cabinet. No to accepting the Chinese's $1.2 million in military style equipment and hardware.
. .........////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-vLC...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-vLC...
Abaconian 8 years, 2 months ago
This is BS on so many levels. Aside from the shady reasons for China giving us money to spend on military equipment, why in the hell are they spending it on tear gas, and anti-riot grenade launchers and the sort of things that can be used against us Bahamians? What about all the illegal immigrants and drugs coming in from the south? Or what about the dominican pirate fisherman who are STEALING our natural resources at an incredible rate? Surely our Defence Force should be focusing on the real issues at hand?! The PLP has the lost the plot. They have got their priorities all F^$%^ up and China has got them by the balls.
GrassRoot 8 years, 2 months ago
RBDF has no business on our streets. RBDF's job is at the border and the border is out in the water. As to the armored vehicles, I am not worried, they will be broken before they get used.
GrassRoot 8 years, 2 months ago
the only useful thing are the instruments.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades I been hearing why the DNA politicians are in Singapore on official party business. Did Bran issue one his many press releases alerting the media re his green the party's offical travel plans?
thomas 8 years, 2 months ago
Does the RBDF have a commodore yet?
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
Good Question, Maybe China will donate that too...
BetweenTheLines 8 years, 2 months ago
Quid pro quo, my people. The Chinese aren't giving the Bahamian government $1.2M out of the goodness of their hearts. There is or there will be payback in some form or another. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Also, I predict a huge blowup about this money in the future when it is revealed that a large portion of it was never spent on what it was intended for and nobody will have any idea where it went. Ain't that how it go?? Millions disappear and nobody saw nothing.
The_Oracle 8 years, 2 months ago
They can't be trusted to keep this stuff secure, never mind use it! It'll end up on the streets soon enough. Scary proposition though, Arming the Defense force for land based military operations.
TheMadHatter 8 years, 2 months ago
Sounds like another Cuban missile crisis. Will the USA blockade the Bahamas and prevent ALL Chinese ships from entering (regardless of what they are carrying?) I sure hope so.
Last week I would have said that things in the Bahamas could t get any more stupid or serious. Obviously I would have been wrong.
I deeply apologize to my fellow citizens for my lack of foresight.
There must be something we can boycott to show our distaste for this? Any ideas? Will Bahamians come together to do something? or will be bend over as usual and stock up on Vaseline?
TheMadHatter
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 2 months ago
The corrupt Christie-led PLP government buying military and other warfare equipment from China is absolutely the best news I have heard in a long time. I can already hear the U.S. special ops forces (with sharp shooters) in South Carolina being readied along with stealthy drones controlled from MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa for the close monitoring and possible taking out of newly identified hot targets that pose a clear and present danger to the national security interests of the United States of America. They will be coming and will be working closely with the FBI invited by our brain-dead Minister Nottage and his buffoon of a side kick Bell who foolishly think U.S. law enforcement reps will be here in the Bahamas marching to their wishes and the interests of the PLP. It's too easy to guess who is most likely on the U.S. top ten strike list of Bahamians! ;-)
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
I seriously suspect the Chinese are here for other than business (tourism). Our gov't is the dumb one that wants international espionage between the two biggest world-powers to play out on our tiny island. We need to bring back the death penalty for these stupid azz politicians
Cas0072 8 years, 2 months ago
Deciding what gift to give is difficult when you don't know the recipient very well and are just going through the motions. Riot equipment as a gift is really odd or ominous. Our best case scenario is that this gift of riot equipment will stay parked or on the shelf, but knowing that 1.2 million could have gone very far if used for almost any other purpose.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
Talk about odd 'gifts', the stadium is definitely one. And our gov't was already ready to sell out they soul at the word stadium
EnoughIsEnough 8 years, 2 months ago
What frustrates me to no end is the presence of media (Tribune and Guardian) at these things and it does not appear that even one of their "journalists" asks questions! Have any of the Tribune staff asked any of the people in that room what the purpose of these particular items is? If the PLP/ RBDF requested these items then why? Why now? Why specifically riot gear and 10,000+ cannisters of tear gas? Who do they expect to use it on? And if we did not really ask for it and instead the Chinese decided it would be nice to "give" to us, ask what strings are attached? Why would the Chinese think that our relatively peaceful nation would require being armed to the hilt with riot gear? What the hell is wrong with our press? Tired of them simply regurgitating government rhetoric without getting to the meaning behind some of these actions. If the press asked for answers and none were given, then indicate in your story that you approached Ministers x, y and z and they refused to comment. Darn it - do something!! Absolutely pathetic journalism. You should not have to have formal training in order to have natural curiosity, should you?
sansoucireader 8 years, 2 months ago
The TRIBUNE needs real reporters again like Athena Diamanos and Gladstone THurston from the 1980s. Remember them? Real journalists not these 'writers' of today who are definitely NOT journalists.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
The media is politically controlled!!!! they are not there to ask questions, they are there to forward what their political benefactors want them to say. If you stir the pot and ask questions on this small island watch what gone happen to you!
sansoucireader 8 years, 2 months ago
Do the Chinese know something we don't know? Where did this 'short list of 33 items' come from Dr. Nottage? Your request or did the Chinese just give it to you? Don't trust them anyway, look how they treat their own people.
happyfly 8 years, 2 months ago
Dr BN so smug in the photograph. You think he's dreaming of the next time Ms LBT talk bad about the PLP he can run her over with an armored car or shoot 300 tear gas at her ?
BMW 8 years, 2 months ago
Tienamin square, Rawson square! Election 2017 will be a deadly one. We are quickly heading towards dictatorship. Why in the hell would they be stockpiling weapons for controlling crowds? VAT, then NH ( along with more taxes to fund it) and now a penalty if one chooses not to join, no Baha Mar. They must feel that unrest is not far off. This is a very serious situation!!!!
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
I ein know why people dem ein more up in arms with all the things going on these days. I guess we need to run out a fried chicken first of something. Then you gone see civil unrest SMH
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades bad decisions lacking common sense by government can and should be challenged without tossing unfounded accusations of criminality into the mix. Fact is such poor decision making standards have evolved over the administrations of the Bay Street Boys, UBP, PLP and Red Shirts parities.
While it can be temptingly popular among reds rushing to equate false allegations exclusively with the PLP government's unwise decision to accept $1.2 million for riot control military style gear, it will do nothing to challenge the government to cancel this unwise, looks bad decision with the Chinese.
I have never thought of Minister Nottage as an individual being the corruptible type?
Shouldn’t we be demanding to know how this deal came about? Like how is it that a magic short-list of 33 different types of items which include two armoured vehicles for the defence force, two 38 automatic anti-riot grenade launchers, 10,038 smoke tear gas grenades, anti-riot gear sets, (and) portable low-light level night vision goggles – came about?
Like who decided what and when/what was the minister’s "early" involvement? Who were the other government officials?
And, is the minister security now saying it will be the military, not the policeman’s, who will be using these two 38 automatic anti-riot grenade launchers?
Tell me minister. What role, if any, did the Commish of Policeman's play in this $1.2 million military deal with the Chinese?
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrade lkalikl you are not alone, thousands feel the crime and economic pains being inflicting upon the nation and her people's.
Each and every one of the opposition political parties is promising to provide relief from the governing ways of the PLP, but in NOT any different ways from how the old Bay Street Boys ran government.
Why are you and so many others afraid to look a new ways different governing for real solutions to real problems?
Crime of murder, rapes and gangs were escalating under the red shirts government and I have seen zero evidence much if anything have changed with the thinking red party.
What makes this even that much more dangerous is even the damn British are not interested in the "full" re colonization of our Bahamaland.
The DNA are presently in Singapore studying their police state form of governing. Charlie's UBP party is not even sure if they will stick around to even run as a party come the 2017 General.
Do we as a people revert back to the one and only option. Replace the PLP with the red shirts?
If so, good luck and may Jesus stick it out with the nation.
TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago
look here at the end of the day, is a messed situation, because while the PLP are death to the wellbeing of this coutry, all the alternatives are just baby PLP's waiting to get they hands on the reigns and see how much they could juice this country for.
The only other political option is garrison politics. That means however that the street gangs will be local neighborhood gov'ts. This again, will only further division and oppression in our country.
The final, feasible, realistic solution, is to leave the damn country. If you want to live in a country without corrupt and incompetent leadership, you have to leave somewhere OTHER THAN the Bahamas. PLP = FNM = Criminals = Teefin no Good = Fools dem
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
When the government can train their guns on a peaceful protest (like the Chinese did) and massacre thousands ........... then why would we want to take weapons from them????? Or are our leaders contemplating using a similar tactic in the future????????
truetruebahamian 6 years, 11 months ago
So is Rawson Square to be the new Tiananmin Square?
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