The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

All of you know that for decades I have been privileged to be the biggest media supporter of the new Prime Minister, the Hon Philip “Brave” Davis, QC. When he was a mere lawyer @ Messrs Christie; Ingraham; Davis & Company at Victoria Avenue, I was there. When he established his own practice @ West Hill Street north, I was with him and now that he has ascended the greasy pole, I have more work to be done.

Most of the senior cabinet ministers and ministers of State are now in place with a small number of Parliamentary Secretaries to be appointed. I would hope that the Hon Leslia Miller Brice (PLP-Sea Breeze) is included in that number. Any Prime Minister has the constitutional authority to have any sized cabinet of his choice. Sir Lynden, God bless his soul, had one of the first so-called “gussie mae” cabinets way back in the day. My “boy” the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham had even bigger ones. The Rt Hon Perry G Christie had big cabinets also.

It is within the purview of the PM of the day to determine how best to deploy his parliamentary team. He should be guided by the severity and urgency of issues of public policy and not just to secure “jobs” for his caucus. The Bahamas is in a literal war on two fronts: we have yet to address the impacts and devastation of back-to-back hurricanes and the ongoing COVID pandemic is not going anywhere anytime soon. In wars, the four star general is mandated to deploy his troops as might be most effective and able to defeat “the enemy”. This is what Brave has to do.

The optics might offend some ill-informed Bahamians, especially those in the rump opposition, but there is a new sheriff in town. I am especially pleased with the appointment of the Hon Alfred Sears (PLP-Fort Charlotte) as Minister of Works & Public Utilities; the Hon Zane Lightbourne (PLP-Yamacraw) as the Minister of State within the Ministry of Education; the Hon Senator Michael Halkitis as Minister of Economic Affairs; the Hon Wayne Munroe, QC (PLP-Free Town) as Minister of National Security; the Hon Myles Laroda (PLP-Pinewood) and, of course, the Hon I Chester Cooper (PLP-Exuma) as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Aviation.

In fact, I endorse and love all of the appointments, so far. The Bahamas is waging war on multiple fronts and we desperately need and require all hands on deck if we are to overcome the common enemies anytime soon. I could care less if detractors call the cabinet “gussie mae” or any other names. The tasks at hand are not easy ones and must be dealt with efficiently and effectively. Minnis had a big cabinet also even if it achieved next to nothing.

I would be remiss if I did not reference the election of my “boy” Dr Michael Darville (PLP-Tall Pines) and subsequent appointment as Minister of Health. At some point within the next year we shall see and witness the introduction of a Real National Health Initiative. Again, I congratulate the PM and his team, but none more than his immediate family who would have been and are the wind beneath his wings.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

September 23, 2021.