By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE $2.1 billion proposal for the development of agriculture and fisheries in Andros was pitched to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources by the government’s ambassador to China, and not the Chinese government or investors, according to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister V Alfred Gray yesterday.
Insisting that he would not be a “scapegoat,” Mr Gray took steps to further clarify his ministry’s role in the proposal during an appearance on the radio talk show Off Air with host Andrew Burrows.
Mr Gray explained that Bahamas Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Paul “Andy” Gomez had submitted the proposal as an overview of items that he sought clearance from the government to discuss with investors in China.
Discussions
“(Mr Gomez’s) remit from me was to discuss it,” Mr Gray said, “and once you discuss it, send me and the government a report to see what you might have concluded by way of your discussions for the government’s consideration.
“The remit that he submitted to me did not come from the Chinese that came from him, subjects he wanted to discuss. I gave permission for him to discuss those things and come back to me in two to three weeks to make recommendations, something to say no or yes to.”
Mr Gray added: “He has not even started his discussions yet, so how can you have a proposal?”
When asked how the draft letter of the proposal was leaked, Mr Gray said: “Mr Ambassador himself admitted to the government that once he got the letter of permission, he took it upon himself to talk with Bahamas National Trust, to talk with agencies of the government, to get their blessings.
“He told us that he provided the BNT and a few other agencies with a copy of my letter but it was no secret and it’s still no secret.
“The initiatives were Mr Gomez’s ideas and he wanted to discuss those ideas with investors and I gave that permission.”
The proposal projects a $2.1 billion injection into the local economy over ten years through an equal partnership between Bahamians and the People’s Republic of China.
Companies
According to an earlier report in a local daily, the proposed partnership will entail the incorporation of 100 companies, with the agricultural products and seafood to be used for local consumption, and exported to China and the United States for sale. The proposal also reportedly includes the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.
As the social media firestorm over the potential implications of such a deal continued yesterday, Mr Gray also took aim at The Nassau Guardian, which first published the proposal on Tuesday. He insisted that the newspaper was linked to an opposition candidate, and charged that he would not be a “scapegoat for their mission.”
“This narrative as it relates to the Chinese is led by politics,” he said, “and if the Free National Movement, including The Nassau Guardian, wants to be honest, this Chinese involvement in our country came at the hands of (former Prime Minister) Hubert Ingraham.”
Mr Gray underscored that it was the previous FNM administration that negotiated for Chinese workers in the Baha Mar deal and gave the Chinese licenses for the rerouting of the airport corridor, and to construct a dock in Abaco.
“The FNM did all of that and you ain’t hear a crack. Now the Progressive Liberal Party can’t talk to them (Chinese investors).
“The Hilton was up for sale. The owners of the Hilton sold it to (the highest bidder), that was a private property, that had nothing to do with the government.
“Now the word Chinese has become so dirty.”
On air yesterday, Mr Gray maintained that any investment in agriculture would be considered with a view to complement efforts to stimulate local, Bahamian-owned production at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in North Andros.
“At the moment the government of the Bahamas collectively imports almost $900 million,” he said. “We grow about ten per cent of what we eat. We are a long way from being able to feed ourselves, so if there is a proposal to invest in agriculture or agri-businesses, the policy of the Bahamas for the last 50 years allows for that.”
Comments
jackbnimble 7 years, 5 months ago
And of course the lies continue.
Why doesn't he just shut up because we all know Minister Gray has clean hands and is the most honest person in Parliament.
PLP Mantra: Deflect and Deny.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 5 months ago
This $2.1 billion agriculture and fisheries proposal is just the tip of the iceberg of outrageous concessions extorted by Red China from our dumb Crooked Christie by preying on his current political vulnerability and insatiable personal greed for power and wealth.
TalRussell 7 years, 5 months ago
Comrades! If V. Alfred, the Crown Minister at the centre of $2.1 Billion fishes proposal by the Chinese government is insisting that he would not be made a "scapegoat," then pray tell me sweet Jesus, if the Honourable Minister is not doing a full 360 degree blame over to the nation's Ambassador to China?
Exactly what is the pay scale of our Ambassador to China - not that pay scale ever stopped yellow turned red shirt Renward Wells from signing that still unexplained $650,000 Letter of Intent (LOI) on behalf of the peoples government.
Funny thing about that LOI .... the Red Movement party have come to accept both Renward and its issuance as conducting normal government business with foreigners. They don't even mention it anymore...not even by Long Island's Loretta, who will talk anything anti PLP.
The_Oracle 7 years, 5 months ago
So the Ambassador is over there playing "entrepreneur" on the taxpayers dime? How many shares of the "100 Bahamian" companies would he have to be given? Or Mr. Grey? Or any and all of them?
ThisIsOurs 7 years, 5 months ago
OMG he is the worst of the worst. A "leader" who throws his people to the wolves is the lowest among all jellyfish. He still doesn't get it, if your staff member comes to you with an outrageous nincompoop suggestion, you tell them that is an outrageous nincompoop suggestion, you do not tell them to discuss it with someone outside the organization. Not to mention, on Wednesday he already told the nation it was a wonderful suggestion (side eyes)
TalRussell 7 years, 5 months ago
Yes! The dreaded day will soon arrive when no foreigner will care about we Bahamaland. When our politicians have nothing left of interest to sell or lease to their greedy profits driven bank accounts!
Comrades! The Chinese first set their exporting eyes on the abundance Bahamaland's Seaweeds.
Back in January 2015 a Chinese delegation traveled to The Bahamaland to formally finalizea Memorandum of Understanding between our Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute and the Ocean University of China under an agreement of co-operation that will foster the academic links and the development of the north Andros.
Some could think the 2015 Chinese delegation's traveling to the Bahmaland was to kick start the using of BAMSI’s campus and infrastructure as the vehicle for the Chinese government's takeover and control of our farming, agriculture and fisheries industry?
Comrades! How many well established farms like Gladstone Farms and the Hatchet Bay Plantation's Poultry and Dairy Farm, have closed under both PLP and the Red Movement Party's, regimes?
SP 7 years, 5 months ago
................... FOOK Bahamians! "We Believe In Chinese" "Chinese First" .....................
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 5 months ago
Don't be fooled fellow Bahamians, our stupid, greedy, and power and wealth hungry Crooked Christie is the one who from the start was behind the $2.1 billion sellout of our agriculture and fisheries industries and the giveaway of tens of thousands of acres of our Crown Land to his RED China friends. Crooked Christie's use of the corrupt and very dumb Alfred Gray to get the word out is just a typical cowardly political ploy by Crooked Christie to distract and deflect attention and blame away from himself. Crooked Christie's Red Chinese friends obviously now have a very tight vice-grip on Crooked Christie's shrivelled smelly nuts that they can further tighten at anytime they want. Yes fellow Bahamians, it is Crooked Christie and none other than Crooked Christie alone who is in the process of selling our country to Red China as a result of his unconscionable and insatiable greed for power and wealth. Just ask Baltron "Bag Man" Bethel how filthy rich he, our AG Wicked Witch and Crooked Christie have become selling us out to Red China. These three evil creatures could not care less about our sovereignty and national security!
proudloudandfnm 7 years, 5 months ago
Gray is a proven liar. WHY IS THIS MAN STILL IN CABINET?!?!?
realfreethinker 7 years, 5 months ago
That's a damn good question. I guess it just shows how corrupt the leader is
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