The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

There’s an old so-called negro hymn which goes: “ It’s me, it’s me. it’s me oh Lord, standing in the name of prayer.....not my mother, not my father, but it’s me oh Lord....” The words of that hymn could well apply to individuals and the very nation itself. The Bahamas enjoys a veneer of apparent economic success and upward mobility, but it is only a veneer and not the real thing on the ground.

We all want this administration to succeed in it’s declared mission to “do what is best for the nation”. Now, how that translates into reality is another question that seems to have no answers. It has been almost two years since the FNM was returned to office. It is agreed that Bahamians voted in droves for the FNM in 2017 because they were “tired” of the then-led PLP by Brother Christie. The perceptions of corruption and the manifested “do not care” attitude of countless PLP ministers and operatives were the political nails which sealed our coffin.

The FNM came into office with gung-ho gusto and wild-eyed visionary programmes and projects. Apart from continuing to roll out projects and Heads of Agreement which were negotiated and signed off on by the Christie-led PLP, the administration led by the Most Hon Prime Minister, nothing much has been achieved, so far, on the ground that one is able to see; touch and feel. This is not too good and does not bode well for the eventual success of this regime.

The current PM seems to have adopted many of the traits and characteristics ascribed to Brother Christie: lazy, allegedly, politically speaking; too slow in making decisive and sensible decisions; prone to talking before engaging his brain, apparently; disdain for the media and the stark lack of empathy for the unwashed masses of Bahamians. The most glaring “fault” however, in my view, is the inability of the Most Hon Prime Minister to rein in his seemingly out of control or out of their depth ministers.

I know that the hymnal refers to “me”, but The Lord Jesus Christ has to know that while it is “me” it is also the nation from a collective point. The Bahamas is geographically located in the right place. Our national income is the third highest in the region. While we have a huge national debt it is, so far, manageable. I am concerned with the extraordinary rate increase in VAT and I am equally concerned with the proposed funding of the National Health Initiative. Some say that VAT will be going up during the next budgetary exercise. Others say that the private sector and the insurance companies will be required, by law, to make up the anticipated “short falls” in any necessary funding.

”This me, oh Lord....standing in the need of prayer...” Apart from the welcomed announcements relative to the Carnival Port in Freeport; the proposed port in Eleuthera by Disney and, of course, the development launched by the Sterling Group over at Hurricane Hole, Paradise Island, the economy is still sputtering and clunking along. Some say that unemployment has gone down, but we who interact with the unwashed masses on a daily basis, know better. Statistics are down, in my view, because of persons who are discouraged from seeking employment or those who have long stopped looking for it.

The high costs of utilities here in New Providence and over in Freeport are detrimental to the economy and economic growth.

Some in the Family Islands have been told to pay bills for electricity in excess of B$300 immediately or face disconnection. It is, indeed, the people’s time and we believe in all of you unwashed people.

Crime continue to trend down in some cases but homicides continue to plague us. No, crime is not the direct fault of the FNM, but when employment is an issue crime becomes one also. An unemployed; unskilled and a dead hungry individual is a deadly concoction. The Commissioner and his team are doing a wonderful job in crime prevention; detection and apprehension. If the law enforcement agencies appear to be defective it is not on the police level. One cannot say the same thing about immigration where persons are held in detention, apparently indefinitely and without formal charges and, to add insult to injury, deported to parts unknown without a court order.

The Attorney General’s Office has lost over 75% of any case, civil or criminal, brought before the courts. Why is this? Incompetence or a rush to prosecute? The learned AG refuses to tell us how many dollars were spent on importing a QC from the UK to prosecute Frank Smith. No doubt, others will be brought in if and when the Hon. Shanye Gibson et al, are finally tried in court.

The Most Hon Prime Minister is between a rock and a hard place but it is the people of this wonderful nation who are in need of prayers. Minnis and crew will be just fine. In any event, I wish them well and all the best as they wander around like headless buzzards of the Androsian sort. Yes, Lord, it is me, standing in the need of prayer. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR.

Nassau

February 21, 2019