The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Sidney Collie yesterday fired the latest shots in the ongoing war of words surrounding that $2.1bn agri-fisheries proposal with Chinese investors, as he criticised Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray for his admission that he had not revoked his letter authorising the Bahamas ambassador to China to discuss the plan.

Mr Collie, in a statement released last evening, questioned what it would take for the Christie administration to stop its “ill-advised efforts”, contending that the party seems dedicated to its plans despite “enormous outrage from the people”.

On Wednesday, Mr Gray confirmed that he had not withdrawn his now controversial letter to Bahamas Ambassador to China Paul “Andy” Gomez in which he gave the diplomat the approval to pursue investment opportunities in China, centred on agriculture efforts in Andros.

Speaking to this declaration, Mr Collie said the PLP’s Chinese allies have to be “very impressed” with the government’s “resolve to ignore Bahamians”.

Mr Collie went on to say that it was the kind of loyalty “only money can buy”.

“Public uproar, calls for his resignation, and thousands of Bahamians signing a petition against this give away be damned, Minister Gray continues to move forward with this scandalous proposal that would do irrevocable damage to our people and their birthright,” Mr Collie said.

“He continues to offend the Bahamian people every day that he continues to support this proposal and refuses to resign. Sadly Minister Gray’s actions have become common place to the Bahamian people who know Gray’s allegiances lie with foreign allies, not to the people he should serve,” he said, adding that Mr Gray has no credibility.

The FNM chairman renewed calls for Mr Gray’s resignation, insisting that the move would better serve the Bahamian people, more so than the minister’s “ridiculous comments suggesting Bahamians are not interested in farming and that we need Chinese experts to show us how to fish our waters”.

Mr Gray on Wednesday responded to the two initial stories on the controversy that were printed in The Nassau Guardian last week.

As anger over those initial reports surfaced, Mr Gray fired back at the daily, criticising the paper for its reporting of the matter.

However, in his recent comments he softened his stance, on Wednesday indicating that when he previously stated that the initial story was “utterly false,” he was in fact referring to that story’s headline, which he said Wednesday was “very misleading” because “if you did not read the story, it would be easily concluded that there was a deal or a proposal before the government for its consideration.”

It was at this time Mr Gray told reporters that his initial approval to the ambassador to discuss the proposal had not been rescinded, stating: “I have not withdrawn the letter.”

Mr Gray has previously stressed that the controversial proposal was based on ideas from Ambassador Gomez, not Chinese officials. He has also said the matter is not before the government for consideration and that the proposal had not been discussed with Chinese investors.

Mr Gray has maintained that his ministry is operating in the best interest of the country. He has called FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis a “hypocrite” for his calls for the government to back away from potential investments from the Chinese.