IT SEEMS almost inconceivable that Keith Bell will keep his job after yesterday’s developments in the ongoing row over issues at immigration.
Let us start with the first thing, Mr Bell himself – or rather his absence.
Last week, he said he would speak in the House to “appropriately answer all questions thoroughly, substantively and put this thing to rest once and for all”. His date for doing so was yesterday. He did not appear. Instead, there was a statement issued with a number of questions responded to – but not all, and certainly not putting things to rest once and for all.
To be fair, there was an extensive list of responses, point by point, to a number of the allegations put forward – but some of those answers, such as those stating an absence of arrest or detainee reports on file or in the system prompted new questions of their own.
The statement – which came from the ministry not Mr Bell - also admitted that his statements about being in Switzerland at the time of receiving a call regarding the situation that led to him administering a citizenship ceremony at a funeral was untrue – he was in Miami, somewhat closer.
What the answers do seem to show is a variety of ways in which discretion was shown or decisions were made based on incomplete information.
With regard to the issue of Chinese nationals being detained but then released after the intervention of the minister, the statement leans on the claim that “to avoid disruption to the major ongoing construction project on which they were working, it was considered futile to detain them overnight”. The statement says the issue was corrected the following day – which means that the disruption would have been limited to one night, presumably, hardly a matter of national interest, one would have thought, that required top-level intervention.
The statement says that the workers’ employers “were in the process of applying for their work permits”. There should be no occasion where dozens of workers are brought into the country and start construction work as in this instance without permits being in place beforehand.
So the statement is welcome – but the answers are incomplete.
Then we come to the second half of yesterday’s developments – in which the Prime Minister spoke on the issue.
Philip “Brave” Davis said the government would review how decisions were made and strengthen the processes.
He said that in many cases the Opposition’s questions were based on inaccurate information – but note he says many and not all.
He went on to say that he has “had a lot of conversations with Bahamians in recent weeks about immigration – and I want to let you know that I hear you. I hear your concerns about how things work in this country and intend to address them”.
The nature of the review has not been spelled out – whether it will be public, whether it will be independent, the timeframe it will take place in and when the public can expect a resolution.
But to review the events of the day clearly, the minister had promised to give answers in the House and he did not, his ministry issued a statement instead which included an admission of error by the minister himself and issues with a lack of information on a number of applications. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has moved to try to reassure the public that he will address concerns about how things work.
Ultimately, the minister is responsible for his ministry. If public confidence has been dented, it is on his shoulders. And in the face of this, he has not even kept his promise to stand up in Parliament and face the music.
So what happens next? At every public appearance, these questions are going to be waiting for Mr Bell. Does he avoid the public, the press? How does that affect the work of his ministry going forward if he still has these issues hanging over him until whatever date in the future any review concludes?
He promised to “put this thing to rest once and for all”. We are very far from that.
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 months ago
I was of the view that persons entered the country with their permit, something was going on they were in a hotel did they come by boat or plane how and when did they enter the country , but what about the opposition leader the most honorable threats to bury people and kick backside to and it is just fine no out cry interesting indeed
stillwaters 9 months ago
There was no out cry because we all want to 'bury' Bell and 'kick' his backside.....'bury' means to put an end to his position.... and 'kick his backside' means to make sure he faces his due punishment
jamaicaproud 9 months ago
I love watching news from the Bahamas, its a break from my own trifling country. Imagine News came out about overpayment of hundreds of millions and no one cares. Unoo only care about 2 or 3 people who were granted citizenship.
I needs to get that citizenship it must be gold or diamond. KMT
stillwaters 9 months ago
Proudy.....37 Haitians were caught making illegal entry into Jamaica last week. At first, Jamaica was all about being great friends with Haiti and a conversation was had about letting the illegals stay. This week.....taaadaaa....the conversation is about how Jamaica has laws and rules......soooooo.....the Haitians will be deported this week.
themessenger 9 months ago
@birdiestrachan, You once said that common sense is still the best. Unfortunately, in your case, when the Creator was handing out that precious commodity, He was obviously scraping the bottom of the barrel and nuttin was leave over fa you. As dey say, and particularly in your case Birdie, common sense ain't common!
ThisIsOurs 9 months ago
From the moment Bell announced that he'd give a statement during question and answer time I knew something would happen to prevent it. I said here, ~"if there is a next time". I thought thered be an orchestrated row and the PLP side would be fake incensed and cancel everything! No question time for you! I did not fathom that Bell would allow himself to be "patsified" again by not showing up. Cuz now, all the blame on him. It defies belief that he would invoke Chester Coopers name without speaking with or getting a response from Chester Cooper. But here he is alone butt in the wind
Sickened 9 months ago
Bell was a very loose cannon on the PLP pirate ship. He has now been tied down and gagged. ROFL!!! He too shame to speak now.
birdiestrachan 9 months ago
Switzerland or florida he was away and there is no need for the FNM choir to sing, Pintard wants to decide who should resign in the PLP first it was Mr Sears now it is Mr Bell he Mr Pintard does not have that power more is going right than wrong and he and his followers do not like that so there is toggie and boggie and smoke to make trouble
SP 9 months ago
To start with, politicians are untrustworthy and well-known liars. PM Davis gained notoriety by successfully defending the worst of the worst in criminal trials.
Bell has lied himself into a corner with no way out. What everyone is missing, is that Bell by his own admission operated with the blessings of Cabinet.
Davis is busy trying to do damage control before people realize he is 100% as culpable as Bell because as leader of the Cabinet, he obviously authorized Bell's actions and must now use him as a scapegoat to save his own skin.
We should soundly applaud the Civil Servant whistleblowers for bringing these things to light in the interest of the country and encourage more of them to do the same as politicians' main interest is lining their pockets regardless of the negative impact on the country and people.
The PLP will soon be forced to the realization that winning the government with 35% of the electorate is a piss-poor mandate which actually translates to 65% of the populace being against them.
It is not business as usual on the political scene where political henchmen placed in high places to cover up corruption allowed politicians to get away scot-free without consequences.
Bahamians of all walks are sick and tired of the PLP and FNM.
Indeed, the PLP is finding out it is truly a "New Day" but not in their favor!
birdiestrachan 9 months ago
It is wrong for FNM civil servants to give information to their party leader, it was not about country it was always about Polotical power ,
realfreethinker 9 months ago
Bullshit birdie. When will you remove the scales from your eyes and realize the plp is not good for your or country?
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