By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE LIberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts called yesterday on FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner to distance themselves from Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins' statement that a future FNM government could make void agreements relating to Baha Mar that it does not support.
Dr Rollins' statement came as he raised concerns during his budget communication on Thursday about the government's relationship with China Construction America (CCA), the lead contractor for Baha Mar that has been in dispute with developer Sarkis Izmirlian over the quality and consistency of its performance as contractor.
Dr Rollins emphasised that CCA should not receive certain significant concessions to remobilize construction at Baha Mar.
He expressed concern that this would happen because of pressures the government may face in the lead-up to the next general election.
Mr Roberts called Dr Rollins' statements "reckless and irresponsible", adding that the public no longer takes him seriously.
"The significance of this statement," Mr Roberts said, "is, due to the fact that it was made in the presence of both the present leader of the FNM, Dr Hubert Minnis, and that of Mrs Loretta Butler-Turner, who has signaled her intention to challenge for such leadership at the upcoming convention of the party. Their silence has the potential to cause persons outside of the country to think that Minnis and or Butler-Turner condone such remarks.
"All investors, regardless of nationality, must have confidence in the country and governance, regardless of the party in power,” he continued.
“Dr Minnis and Mrs Butler-Turner must each affirm his or her personal commitment to policies which affirm that principle.
“He and she must make clear that nationalisation of privately held property will not be an instrument of public policy of an FNM led by him or her; similarly each must make clear that he or she respects the independence of the judiciary. This is particularly relevant because the entire Baha Mar matter is in the hands of receivers and liquidators, all of whom are being supervised by the Supreme Court of the Bahamas, and thus any agreement on Baha Mar can only be finalised with the approval of the Supreme Court."
Mr Roberts called on the prominent FNM members to "speak now, loudly and clear”.
"Rollins' allegations of the government conspiring with the Chinese is utter nonsense and is reflective of Rollins being used to spread sick propaganda," he said. "It is worthy of note that MP Rollins, who was elected by the good people of Fort Charlotte, during his two hour diatribe never mentioned the people of that constituency. Clearly Rollins has lost his way."
Comments
proudloudandfnm 7 years, 10 months ago
If any project ever had to be stopped and reviewed its Bahamar.
That thing needs to be investigated and inspected thru and thru.
Lets be real chinese construction aint exactly known for quality....
ohdrap4 7 years, 10 months ago
is this guy deputy chairman of the fnm?
sheeprunner12 7 years, 10 months ago
Can anyone fathom Bradley Roberts' audacity???????? ........... his party has totally F#@% up this FDI opportunity for thousands of Bahamian businessmen and workers and he has the gall to advise FNMs about Rollins comments?????????? UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!
TalRussell 7 years, 10 months ago
by TalRussell
TalRussell 7 years, 10 months ago
by TalRussell
SP 7 years, 10 months ago
.................... Bahamians "CALL" for Bradley Gargoyle Roberts to STFU! .......................
truetruebahamian 7 years, 10 months ago
Do the world a favour, Roberts and shut up or move to China or just drop dead.
TalRussell 7 years, 10 months ago
Comrades! There is little wonder after listening to the back and forth of both sides of the political divided that there are posters to these hereto Tribune blog pages who openly are attempting to talk Bahamalanders into raising the white flag of surrender.
It does make you feel as if all all hope is lost but we must fly high and proud The Bahamaland's black triangle situated at the hoist with three horizontal aquamarine, yellow and aquamarine bands.
Are we really prepared to surrender our flag over to the foreigners?
Testimony and words of Jim Caviezel, the actor who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ film.
.../////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ejaw...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ejaw...
John 7 years, 10 months ago
This is almost a reverse to the situation where the Republicans in the USA have blocked President Obama from appointing a replacement judge to the supreme court to replace judge,Antonin Scalia, who died in February. Even though President Obama had almost a full year left in his term they say they will block anyone Obama nominates to become a judge simply because they feel the new appointment should be made by the new president next year. In the main time they see nothing wrong with the highest court in the land operating one member short for one full year. In the case of Bah Mar, Andre Rollins represents the majority of Bahamians when he says Bah Mar should not receive further significant concessions to complete the resort, if any at all. Bah Mar has already received over 1/3 its value in free bees! It should actually be penalized for being two years late. And if the Chinese see the need for more gifts from the Bahamian people then what does this say about Izmirilian's failure to get the resort open? So now the Bahamian people are paying for the national stadium 'gifted to us, five times over. To ask FNM leader, Minnis, and Lorretta Butler-Turner to distance themselves from Rollins remarks, especially when they don't know what the concessions are, is like saying 'it's ok to give away the whole country, as long as it gets Bah Mar to open." And what about Peter Turnquest? Must he also be a signatory on a blank check to the Chinese? BTW what concessions are the Chinese getting on 'The Pointe' project, in addition to constructing without proper permits and using exclusively Chinese labor?
sealice 7 years, 10 months ago
HE MUSSE AIN GOT NO SPINE HE DOES BE FLIP FLOPPIN SO MUCH....
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