The Nassau Guardian
Roberts calls Minnis ‘unpatriotic’
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday called Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis “unpatriotic” over his comments about the government’s announcement regarding the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).
Minnis said Prime Minister Perry Christie’s announcement that Cable and Wireless Communications will transfer 5,093,200 of its shares to the government to be held in trust for the Bahamian people does not result in a change of ownership.
He said the deal is nothing less than a “shameful” failure of the PLP’s campaign pledge to regain the majority ownership of BTC after the Ingraham administration sold majority shares to CWC in 2011.
However, Roberts said no reasonable Bahamian would object to the government striking a win-win deal, which provides the Bahamian people with majority ownership.
He said what is good for the Bahamian people does not appear to satisfy the “selfish interests of the FNM”.
“To our detractors, gainsayers and critics, I invite you to eat crow; to do so liberally and to choke on it,” said Roberts at a press conference at PLP headquarters.
“In the end, this pursuit was not a fool’s errand. It was not a waste of time nor was it a chase after an elusive rainbow as some have gloated.
“There was indeed a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow payable to the Bahamian people in perpetuity. The value and national developmental benefits for our youth are incalculable.”
The trust will be managed by the BTC Foundation, which will be created as part of the deal.
The shares, which are non-voting shares, represent just under two percent of CWC’s total share equity in BTC.
The Foundation will also hold all of the dividends and income from the shares, which will be used to develop and expand closed-circuit television to assist in crime fighting, the telecommunications sector, sporting activities and other civic projects.
Roberts said the government and its negotiation team should be commended for what has been achieved.
He said as the government’s political enemies “spin, split hairs, brood and complain” the government will focus on its next mandate — to liberalize the telecommunications sector.
BTC’s exclusivity deal will end in April.
PULL OUT QUOTES
“To our detractors, gainsayers and critics, I invite you to eat crow; to do so liberally and to choke on it.”
—BRADLEY ROBERTS
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