FREEPORT NEWS ARTICLE
“PM SHOULD RESIGN”

SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

I noted with some alarm a front-page story in the September 30, 2004 edition of The Freeport News, entitled, ‘PM Should Resign’ with quotes attributed to one Fred Smith, a lawyer and self-proclaimed human rights activist. My alarm over this story stems from my belief that commonsense is not a rare commodity and is available to everyone. Unfortunately, Mr. Fred Smith has not availed himself of such a commodity available to all.

The facts of the matter concerning my government’s response to relief for hurricane victims has its genesis in the reality that it takes time to mobilize every available agency when wholesale disaster strikes a chain of islands. While Mr. Smith would have the concern of Grand Bahama as his focus, my government likewise has Grand Bahama at the forefront of its concern, along with San Salvador, Abaco, Exuma and any other Bahama island that has been affected by hurricane disaster.

It is easy for someone to sit in their places of comfort and claim that my government should resign. For after a person makes such remarks, he can go back to doing whatever he does for a living, while my government still has to be the one to get the job done.

The government in which I proudly serve is at work in bringing relief to everyone affected by hurricane disaster. Based on reports from the Ministry of Social Services and other agencies, Bahamians and residents in immediate need in Grand Bahama are being accommodated by family, friends and The Ministry of Social Services, Rental Assistance Program. Likewise, for other persons dispossessed by damage to their homes, my government has further moved to have mobile homes used by workers in Exuma dismantled and sent on to Grand Bahama. Though some materials are in hand and proper and legitimate assessment of those in need are taking place, additional orders for building materials have been put in place. But anyone with commonsense would recognize that any delay in receipt of these additional materials would be because of the hurricane damage done to parts of the United States that have our suppliers in their areas.


As far as the responsibilities attached to my portfolio, I would believe that fair-minded persons would say that The Ministry Of Works, BEC, BTC, Water & Sewerage and Bahamasair has responded adequately in the extreme circumstances and in some cases, admirably.

It is also alarming to note that Mr. Smith offers no advice nor criticism for the Grand Bahama Port Authority, but yet he demands that my government resigns because of a devastating crisis, that obviously Mr. Smith cannot really comprehend, for if he did he would fathom the magnitude of the problems and the time it will take to resolve them all. However, I believe that if the Bahamian people would recognize that the PLP Government is still dealing with disaster from Hurricane Floyd of 1999, they would then appreciate that my government is working for them on their behalf to restore their lives back to a modicum of normalcy.

Since Mr. Smith is long on advice as to what my government should do, I would suggest that he take his own advice and engineer assistance from his resources and contacts to suffering hurricane victims, or resign himself to the fact that the government is moving with a much haste as is possible under such devastating circumstances and based on that he can best help the nation by staying out of the Press with his unique brand of histrionics.

True. I think we should use that $30 million donnation from the chinese for a sports stadium to help with this situation, and also add what is left over (if any) to help towards the remaining issues we still have to fix..

True. I think we should use that $30 million donnation from the chinese for a sports stadium to help with this situation, and also add what is left over (if any) to help towards the remaining issues we still have to fix..

I agree Rory.

I agree Rory.

Unfortunately, the money for the stadium was a "gift." As such it must be used for that purpose. However, if I was the PM I would contact the Chinese and ask if the funds could be diverted to the Hurricane relief program. Would the Chinese agree to this? I am not sure. China wants a "foothold" in the West. They are using the Bahamas as that foothold. A building that one can point to and say "This is a bit of China," is important to them. (No doubt, there will be a large plague stating that China gave us the building.) Money, spread out over many islands, with no name attached as to whom was the giver, is not what they want.

Notice, China did give money to the Hurricane relief fund, I stand to be corrected but I think it was something like 100,000. One hundred thousand dollars to relieve suffering. Thirty million to sport?

I have said it before, I will say it again. Watch out for the Chinese! You think Harajchi was trouble? You ain't seen nothing yet!

Unfortunately, the money for the stadium was a "gift." As such it must be used for that purpose. However, if I was the PM I would contact the Chinese and ask if the funds could be diverted to the Hurricane relief program. Would the Chinese agree to this? I am not sure. China wants a "foothold" in the West. They are using the Bahamas as that foothold. A building that one can point to and say "This is a bit of China," is important to them. (No doubt, there will be a large plague stating that China gave us the building.) Money, spread out over many islands, with no name attached as to whom was the giver, is not what they want.

Notice, China did give money to the Hurricane relief fund, I stand to be corrected but I think it was something like 100,000. One hundred thousand dollars to relieve suffering. Thirty million to sport?

I have said it before, I will say it again. Watch out for the Chinese! You think Harajchi was trouble? You ain't seen nothing yet!


Hey CG,

I think your warnings should be noted :tup:
I know that this stems from the recent persecutions of religious groups by the Chinese government. ie: The Tibetans.

However, we should be cautious about the monies that we accept from any person, group or nation who makes an announcement of their gifts. I don't see the need for an announcement when they can simply drop off the check to the nearest bank.

Hey CG,

I think your warnings should be noted :tup:
I know that this stems from the recent persecutions of religious groups by the Chinese government. ie: The Tibetans.
Not so recent. In the case of Tibet- from today, all the way back to the 1950's

However, we should be cautious about the monies that we accept from any person, group or nation who makes an announcement of their gifts. I don't see the need for an announcement when they can simply drop off the check to the nearest bank.

In my religion, as in yours, the gift given quietly is the real gift.

:bahamas: :realmad: :realmad: I work in the Tourism Industry and over the years I have developed a passion for service. When you decide that you want to be in the Service Industry your service must or should meet the standard . If it does not then you should and will be open for criticism. What the Honorable Minister needs to remember is that while his Government is providing a service to the Bahamian Tax Payers , they are also servants of the people. They were elected because they claimed that they were the better alternative to the pervious government. They had solutions to the problems. I do not accept the fact the a Government Minister tells us that his government is working to bring relief to the affected. The persons affected should be saying that the government is being them relief. Mr Roberts has taken great issue with Mr. Smith leveling criticism against his leader. He must remember that when in opposition, one only needs to bring an issue to the table. However governments are elected to foresee, prevent, plan and solve problems( My grandmother told me that what you say, sometimes depends on where you sit),( I was amused the other day to hear Mr. Christie bestow upon himself the honor of being the longest serving Member of the House, saying that he served Four Years as a Senator prior to being elected. I was waiting to hear him name some positive achievement that he was directly responsible for). Mr. Roberts should feel ashamed that rather than working on issues facing the suffering of countrymen affected by the Hurricanes , the government chose to debate an issue facing Sidney Stubbs. If it was his fundamental right to the appeal then why was it subject to approval by the House ? It would seem to me like The Bahamian Public should be grateful for what ever is done for us by the present government!!!!Wake up Bahamians , before it's to late!!!!!

The grass is growing and the Horses are dying!!!!!!!!!!! :realmad: :realmad:

One hundred thousand dollars to relieve suffering. Thirty million to sport?



I know, its like one of those wooden shacks with a Satalite Dish and a Brand New Mustang GT, yet they cant afford clothes for the kids or food on the table ...

a 30 million $ sports stadium in a 3rd world country ....

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE SORRY BECAUSE THEY VOTED FOR THIS GOVERNMENT(SO CALLED CARING GOVERNMENT) WHILE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING IN GRAND BAHAMA FROM THE HURRICANE :hot: THE GOVERNMENT CHOOSE TO DEBATE AS THEIR AS THEIR PRIORTY TO SAVE SIDNEY STUBBS FROM HAVING TO RESIGNED HIS SEATAND ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE TO MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE COURT SYSTEM :hammer: SINCE THE PRIME MINISTER IS SO CONFIDENT THAT THE BAHAMIAN LOVES HIM HE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO CALL A BY-ELECTION :realmad: AND SHOW PPLS THAT HIS COD OF ETHICS MEAN SOMETHING...............PS :shhh: : FIRE LESLIE

Hey CG,

I think your warnings should be noted :tup:
I know that this stems from the recent persecutions of religious groups by the Chinese government. ie: The Tibetans.

However, we should be cautious about the monies that we accept from any person, group or nation who makes an announcement of their gifts. I don't see the need for an announcement when they can simply drop off the check to the nearest bank.


am with you on this one, it is too much taking going on here and no one is giving account to the people that the money is use for,or the people see where the money goes.MP'S be careful on that taking all the time one can become slave

I know, its like one of those wooden shacks with a Satalite Dish and a Brand New Mustang GT, yet they cant afford clothes for the kids or food on the table ...

a 30 million $ sports stadium in a 3rd world country ....



am so proud of you guys,given then the fact of live ,but what we need to do as people stop talking and start taking action if not we become slave again and guest who is going to put us back into slavery our own people let take action it is too much talking and nothing been done,,

CG has it right. I can't think of anything other than a trojan horse when a $30,000,000 stadium is funded by a country that really has no respect for anyone that isn't Asian. What do you think the Chinese will want once the stadium is completed? How much will it cost to run this stadium and who will pay for it's upkeep and usage? How come a stadium is a priority when the roads are torn up? The Chinese would be better benefactors if they provided funding for an international ferry terminal in Nassau, or offered financing for mailboats that actually met an international standard. Even a downtown monorail (a Chinese expertise) would be a better investment than a stadium. Something isn't right here...

CG has it right. I can't think of anything other than a trojan horse when a $30,000,000 stadium is funded by a country that really has no respect for anyone that isn't Asian. What do you think the Chinese will want once the stadium is completed? How much will it cost to run this stadium and who will pay for it's upkeep and usage? How come a stadium is a priority when the roads are torn up? The Chinese would be better benefactors if they provided funding for an international ferry terminal in Nassau, or offered financing for mailboats that actually met an international standard. Even a downtown monorail (a Chinese expertise) would be a better investment than a stadium. Something isn't right here...

Thank you, Casualobserver. You are more than a casual observer, you understand! Something is not right indeed!! We are heading into dangerous territory, we Bahamians, when we embrace the Chinese without thinking! Beware of the Chinese carrying gifts!!!!

CG has it right. I can't think of anything other than a trojan horse when a $30,000,000 stadium is funded by a country that really has no respect for anyone that isn't Asian. What do you think the Chinese will want once the stadium is completed? How much will it cost to run this stadium and who will pay for it's upkeep and usage? How come a stadium is a priority when the roads are torn up? The Chinese would be better benefactors if they provided funding for an international ferry terminal in Nassau, or offered financing for mailboats that actually met an international standard. Even a downtown monorail (a Chinese expertise) would be a better investment than a stadium. Something isn't right here...


darn right, something, anything that is more useful to the country than a stadium; speak of the devil, how about a new back up generator for BEC!! :-0

Please correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that the GBPA is a private entity. They are not expected to pony up relief funds as a government would. The fact that the Port Authority did provide some relief is a charitable (and commendable) action. As one of the major revenue generating operations in Grand Bahama, it is in the best interest of the Authority to provide some relief. Mr. Smith's focus on the goverment is probably not exclusively for the benefit of Freeport, but for any island in need of hurricane relief. I think it's unfair to point at and expect private entities to respond in the same manner as the goverment. This doesn't mean that I personally endorse Mr. Smith's statments, but Mr. Roberts isn't exactly on target either.