The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

In worldwide politics it has always been fashionable to ‘blame’ the outgoing administration for the apparent political failures and omissions of good governance. When a current administration shuffles cabinet posts and individuals the opposing party will cry wolf and suggest that such changes reflect lipstick being applied to a pig.

The recent adroit reshuffle by the Most Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, KC, MP, our hardworking and innovative Prime Minister, was met with a broad and unrealistic assault by the still shell shocked opposition FNM. A rant and rave generated by the putative leader and Chairman of that entity? Both of whom were reshuffled, for want of a better term by former leader, the Most Hon Dr Hubert A Minnis once upon a time.

Brother Pintard was obliged to step down as National Chairman while the erstwhile Dr Duane Sands was ‘banished’ while serving as Minister of Health. Their replacements were not, in my view, good ones. The Hon Renward Wells, the then MP for Bamboo Town, was appointed Minister of Health and he appeared to be oblivious of the bare necessities in being such a minister, God bless his soul. Thank God, by the same token that a good alternative National Chairman was found. It is also a surprise that Minnis did not appear to apply lipstick to a pig, but rather to a huge and hairy wild boar from North Andros.

The recent shuffle by the PM is just what the doctor ordered and is designed to bring rationalisation and heighten efficiency going forward with the second half of the agenda for the Davis administration. Cabinet shuffles lie within the domain of the PM of the day. It is no different with Mr Davis. The changes were well thought out and came at the right time in my view. May I suggest why with your leave? This is a great cabinet shuffle.

The Hon Alfred M Sears (PLP-Fort Charlotte), a highly trained and skilled lawyer, was in over his head, in my view, when he held the Ministry of Works & Public Utilities. It is a strange phenomenon in The Bahamas and perhaps elsewhere that merely being a lawyer is the fount of all knowledge and progressive traits. Brother Sears meant well, I am sure, but the PM made an excellent decision in transferring him to the Ministry of Immigration & National Insurance. His legendary legal skills will serve the nation well on this new posting.

I am particularly pleased that the Hon Pia Glover-Rolle (PLP-Golden Gates), who served with distinction as Minister of State for Labour and the Public Service, has now been elevated to the substantive post of Minister of Labour, inter alia. She has a bright future within the PLP going forward. The choice by the PM of the Hon Jomo Campbell (PLP-Centreville) to serve as Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources is yet another bold example of pragmatism on the part of the PM. Campbell comes from a long background of farmers, starting with his late paternal grandfather who cultivated extensive plots here in New Providence and Cat Island, to my personal knowledge. He will do us proud, I am sure.

Brother Clay Sweeting (PLP-Central & South Eleuthera) is a seasoned businessman and well understands the infrastructural necessities throughout The Bahamas generally and his home island in particular. My good friend, the Hon Keith Bell (PLP- Carmichael) was under political assault for many weeks and months for gestures of goodwill but perhaps, in hindsight, ill advised politically. One or two missteps, however, in my view, is no necessity to be jettisoned from cabinet. As a senior former police officer and a real estate and housing lawyer I have no doubt that he will excel as Minister of Housing & Urban Renewal.

The high costs of fuel and energy in our wonderful nation has become and has been a vexing problem for quite awhile. We all also know of the innate desire and goal of most Bahamians to own their own home. As Minister of Transport & Housing, the Hon JoBeth Coleby-Davis (PLP-Elizabeth) gained a tremendous amount of experience in those areas. Under her watch scores of new and affordable homes were built. She is now able as Minister of Energy & Transport to apply her hard work ethics on a larger level.

It is also to be noted that several current Ministers were retained in their cabinet positions, as they should have. I am particularly impressed with the mighty works being done by the Hon Wayne Munroe (PLP-Free Town) as Minister of National Security. The Hon Glenis Hanna-Martin (PLP-Englerston) as Minister of Education has also performed well. The other appointments announced by the PM will go far in the ultimate delivery of the commitments made by the PLP in its contract with a grateful Bahamian nation. The PM himself and the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon I Chester Cooper (PLP-Exuma) are, of course, in a class all by themselves. The nation is in good hands.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

September 9, 2023.