Consider the following. We have always attempted to cooperate with the United States. This is what I stated in my last piece. If the appearance was made, as I listed some pieces of legislation, that I am under the impression that our Bahamian Parliament passed the U.S. Patriot Act, nothing is further from the truth. Again space did not allow me to expand.
The U.S. Patriot Act has articles that require that our institutions, primarily financial, comply with the Act. Ramifications exist for those institutions which have Bahamian-based offices which are in some way related to an entity in the U.S.
Accordingly it behooves them to comply. That is a form of cooperation, even if it is unwilling. Presently the U.S. seeks the Bahamian government’s support with respect to the world court. If we do, that again would be another instance.
If one were to wonder why Samuel Knowles is so important, think about this: General Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State has visited the Bahamas. Although this was to meet with the CARICOM foreign ministers it was also to send a signal. Coupled with how the present American Ambassador has ignored all established diplomatic conventions to make his point as to the corruption in our government and security forces, all of this is appears to be an effort to secure the extradition.
To personalize an example, imagine you had a chocolate cake, and you cut a little slither, that wouldn’t be so bad the majority would still be there. However each time you went back the remainder would become smaller. The same with all the legislation; the U.S is seeking small pieces until they have achieved their objective and we as a nation will have nothing to show for it.
What we desperately need are politicians who understand this and realize sooner or later we will lose what little bargaining power we have. For those reasons we need to request the financial assistance that I have highlighted on two previous occasions. After all the United States used to aid, and I believe still do give foreign aid to Colombia to eradicate the drugs at the source.
With granting us foreign aid, although in the region of $500,000,000 dollars, they will be aiding not the eradication at the source but the cutting off of the major supply channel.
These are serious times that we live in and we need a bold and innovative solution.
CABINET SHUFFLE REQUIRED
The system of government as practised in the Bahamas is based on the English model, commonly known as the ‘Westminster Model’.
It is sometimes referred to as an elected dictatorship. This was especially true when Margaret Thatcher was the British Prime Minister. This is because the Prime Minister alone has the power of appointment, namely of Cabinet and other Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries. In addition to government boards, and in our case consultative commissions.
I preface with this because it is the Prime Minister alone who can make changes and it is time that the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie exercise his constitutional power and shuffle the cabinet.
The most ardent of PLPs feel as though the first eight months the government has been ineffective.
Therefore I ask the Prime Minister to rectify this problem and urgently. One way in my humble opinion would be to have a shake up at the highest level.
I say this because the Prime Minister would have had an opportunity by now to evaluate those that he has appointed to high office. It is clear that some of them were not suited for the positions into which they were thrust, or worse, still not suited for Cabinet at all.
One thing is clear. We appear to have a situation of the tail wagging the dog.
Of immediate concern is the situation at BAIC. Never has there been to my brief recollection, two more polarized souls in the same ministry.
Either the Hon. Leslie Miller, or Mr. Stubbs has to demit office immediately.
In the case of the Hon. Bradley Roberts, Bahamasair has to be removed from his portfolio, and placed in the hands of the Minister of Transport.
The Hon. Bradely Roberts should be allowed to pursue the banking institutions, from his ministerial bully pulpit. It is a shame, as he used to point out so frequently, that banks are able to profit so much from the Bahamian public.
Specifically, the rates on Wednesday 5th February, at First Caribbean International are as follows: 2% on a regular savings account; 2.5% on a Golden Eagle, and 3% for sums in excess of $25,000.00, whilst the regular new car loan rate is 12% over five years; used car, 13%, and the mortgage rates are 9% residential and 10% commercial.
To be fair to the institution, you can, if approved and buy before the end of February, able to secure a car loan at 9%.
It is not my intention to single out one bank but this is the bank that I use; but on calling around all the others are similar in rates.
The small man loved it, when in opposition, the Hon. Minister would address these concerns, and would love it if the Prime Minister gave him leave to do so again.
One area of legislation that is required is to require banks to provide business loans to suitably qualified Bahamians.
This is by and large the main way of moving the Bahamas along. It is empowerment of the people.
I realize that the decorum that is required when you are the government is different than when you occupy the benches as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. But the government cannot let the role of governance stop them from helping the small man.
If this is the only positive thing that is achieved in the next four years, it would have by leaps and bounds improved the financial position of the average Bahamian. For to do so the average Bahamian would be able to access loans more readily.
We as Bahamians have to live up to our obligations on a timely basis however, and learn that when we are going to be late on a payment, call the bank and tell them why, but don’t ignore it as if it doesn’t exist.
As to Culture, the Prime Minister needs to see that this matter is resolved at once. Would it not have been better to buy these now infamous bleachers and place them in the Sports Center? Although a loss may have been incurred, it would have belonged to the Bahamian public at the end of the day.
I will seek to discuss the Emerald Bay development project at a later date. In trying to secure the Heads of Agreement, I have called the Cabinet office, spoken to Ms. Bastian and Mr. Smith on the documentation, who told me that they could not give me the same.
At the Ministry of Financial Services & Investments, I was put on to Dr. Bethel who was not available, and then to Dr. McKenzie, who stated that I could not get a copy as there was no agreement reached yet.
Well if that is the case, under what authority is the project moving ahead? And why is it then that Dr. B. J. Nottage was able to highlight the points that I noted earlier in the week from the Heads of Agreement debated from when he was a parliamentarian, at my Rotary meeting on Thursday 30th January.
I fear that something is afoot here.
By Craig Butler
The Nassau Guardian
