Bahamas News
05-04-05, - 10:38 AM
DPM Says Gov’t Won’t Skip A Beat
Candia Dames
The Bahama Journal
Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt moved to reassure Bahamians yesterday that the government will not skip a beat even though Prime Minister Perry Christie has been hospitalized with high blood pressure.
"I want to reassure the Bahamian public that collective responsibility of the Cabinet is still intact and the government is very much functioning as intended in such instances," she said.
The deputy prime minister also said that as a result of his health scare, the prime minister has been made aware that "he’s made of flesh and bones."
While the DPM was giving her briefing at the Cabinet Office in downtown Nassau, Minister of Health Senator Dr. Marcus Bethel was providing an update on the prime minister’s condition at the Princess Margaret Hospital, announcing that the nation’s leader was resting comfortably and was expected to make a full recovery.
When asked whether an acting prime minister will be appointed, the DPM told reporters that there was no need for that.
"He’s still with us," Minister Pratt said, referring to the PM. "He’s just at Princess Margaret Hospital resting."
She added, "He will be abreast of what is going on as it relates to the government and of course the country. But at the same time we want to give him that period of time that he needs to rest and recuperate…I keep saying to him, ‘You’re not made of iron. You’re not made of steel. You’re not invincible. Everybody must take a break.’ And I believe he realizes now that he needs to take a break."
When he spoke to The Bahama Journal on Sunday, the eve of his government’s third anniversary in power, Prime Minister Christie said he was exhausted.
On Friday, he went home much earlier than usual to rest after suffering a relapse of the flu. After a three-hour church service at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, he headed to his Cable Beach home planning to change his clothes and return to town to participate in the National Youth March.
But Mr. Christie told The Bahama Journal soon after that he did not want to try be "a hero", given that he had spent much of the day in Freeport and Exuma on Saturday without resting.
Without being asked whether he had any regrets about his first three years in office, the prime minister said, "I’ve had regrets. I think I’ve pushed myself too hard. I haven’t taken a break since the elections [in 2002] which meant two years of campaigning before the elections and now three years after the elections.
"I have an enormously difficult agenda in terms of the things that I have to do. Even though I know I can’t be all things to all people, I still make the mistake of trying to be and so as we go on I’m learning.
"But I’m very grateful after three years that I have been given the opportunity to lead our country at this time and I hope that I am able to demonstrate how meaningful and sincere it is by my continued application to doing good in our country for Bahamians wherever they may be and I’m going to be proud because I think I am the prime minister at a time when Bahamians will truly make meaningful moves to expand their involvement in very meaningful ways in this economy."
The deputy prime minister said yesterday that the government will carry on a very busy agenda. She noted that there was nothing unusual about yesterday’s Cabinet meeting because Ministers meet every Tuesday.
"Cabinet dealt with several matters on the agenda, including matters that will need to go before the House of Assembly when that body meets at 10am [Wednesday] morning," she said.
Last night, government officials also signed a heads of agreement with Cape Eleuthera Resorts Limited for the expansion and development of that resort in Eleuthera.
The DPM said there will also be the formal closing of Baha Mar’s purchase of the Cable Beach properties during a ceremony at the Radisson Cable Beach Resort today.
She added, "All ministers of the government are currently in the capital, but will travel in connection with their portfolios and responsibilities to various locations, including overseas travel during the course of the week."
Minister Pratt said, "We have every confidence that the prime minister will recover in the very short term. We continue our prayers and thanks on his behalf. We wish to acknowledge with thanks the great outpouring of concern, love and prayers which have been offered to us for the recovery and well being of the Right Honourable Perry Christie."
Among those offering prayers for the prime minister’s speedy recovery was Free National Movement Leader Tommy Turnquest, who cancelled a highly-publicized report card rally where his party was expected last night to blast the government’s performance over the past three years.
Mr. Turnquest released a statement saying, "On behalf of the leadership, officers and members of the Free National Movement, I would like to express our deep concern for the health and overall well-being of the prime minister."
A day earlier, the FNM Leader had expressed sympathy to the prime minister "and his lazy, ineffective PLP government on the passing of what most Bahamians, including many PLP’s, consider a dead and lifeless three years in the one term of the new PLP government."
But Mr. Turnquest recognized yesterday that it was no time for playing politics.
"As I am sure, with most Bahamians, this has come as a shock to all of us, and in respect we have made the decision to postpone our report card mass rally…to next Tuesday, 10th May at the same time and venue [Prince Charles Shopping Centre] pending any further developments."
Mr. Turnquest said, "We are sensitive to the fact that although we engage in daily political activity, there indeed is a time for everything. Now is the time for all Bahamians, regardless of their political affiliation, to offer our prayers and well wishes.
"Certainly, the prayers of the Free National Movement as well as my family and I are with the prime minister and his family. We pray God for his speedy recovery."
Candia Dames
The Bahama Journal
Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt moved to reassure Bahamians yesterday that the government will not skip a beat even though Prime Minister Perry Christie has been hospitalized with high blood pressure.
"I want to reassure the Bahamian public that collective responsibility of the Cabinet is still intact and the government is very much functioning as intended in such instances," she said.
The deputy prime minister also said that as a result of his health scare, the prime minister has been made aware that "he’s made of flesh and bones."
While the DPM was giving her briefing at the Cabinet Office in downtown Nassau, Minister of Health Senator Dr. Marcus Bethel was providing an update on the prime minister’s condition at the Princess Margaret Hospital, announcing that the nation’s leader was resting comfortably and was expected to make a full recovery.
When asked whether an acting prime minister will be appointed, the DPM told reporters that there was no need for that.
"He’s still with us," Minister Pratt said, referring to the PM. "He’s just at Princess Margaret Hospital resting."
She added, "He will be abreast of what is going on as it relates to the government and of course the country. But at the same time we want to give him that period of time that he needs to rest and recuperate…I keep saying to him, ‘You’re not made of iron. You’re not made of steel. You’re not invincible. Everybody must take a break.’ And I believe he realizes now that he needs to take a break."
When he spoke to The Bahama Journal on Sunday, the eve of his government’s third anniversary in power, Prime Minister Christie said he was exhausted.
On Friday, he went home much earlier than usual to rest after suffering a relapse of the flu. After a three-hour church service at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, he headed to his Cable Beach home planning to change his clothes and return to town to participate in the National Youth March.
But Mr. Christie told The Bahama Journal soon after that he did not want to try be "a hero", given that he had spent much of the day in Freeport and Exuma on Saturday without resting.
Without being asked whether he had any regrets about his first three years in office, the prime minister said, "I’ve had regrets. I think I’ve pushed myself too hard. I haven’t taken a break since the elections [in 2002] which meant two years of campaigning before the elections and now three years after the elections.
"I have an enormously difficult agenda in terms of the things that I have to do. Even though I know I can’t be all things to all people, I still make the mistake of trying to be and so as we go on I’m learning.
"But I’m very grateful after three years that I have been given the opportunity to lead our country at this time and I hope that I am able to demonstrate how meaningful and sincere it is by my continued application to doing good in our country for Bahamians wherever they may be and I’m going to be proud because I think I am the prime minister at a time when Bahamians will truly make meaningful moves to expand their involvement in very meaningful ways in this economy."
The deputy prime minister said yesterday that the government will carry on a very busy agenda. She noted that there was nothing unusual about yesterday’s Cabinet meeting because Ministers meet every Tuesday.
"Cabinet dealt with several matters on the agenda, including matters that will need to go before the House of Assembly when that body meets at 10am [Wednesday] morning," she said.
Last night, government officials also signed a heads of agreement with Cape Eleuthera Resorts Limited for the expansion and development of that resort in Eleuthera.
The DPM said there will also be the formal closing of Baha Mar’s purchase of the Cable Beach properties during a ceremony at the Radisson Cable Beach Resort today.
She added, "All ministers of the government are currently in the capital, but will travel in connection with their portfolios and responsibilities to various locations, including overseas travel during the course of the week."
Minister Pratt said, "We have every confidence that the prime minister will recover in the very short term. We continue our prayers and thanks on his behalf. We wish to acknowledge with thanks the great outpouring of concern, love and prayers which have been offered to us for the recovery and well being of the Right Honourable Perry Christie."
Among those offering prayers for the prime minister’s speedy recovery was Free National Movement Leader Tommy Turnquest, who cancelled a highly-publicized report card rally where his party was expected last night to blast the government’s performance over the past three years.
Mr. Turnquest released a statement saying, "On behalf of the leadership, officers and members of the Free National Movement, I would like to express our deep concern for the health and overall well-being of the prime minister."
A day earlier, the FNM Leader had expressed sympathy to the prime minister "and his lazy, ineffective PLP government on the passing of what most Bahamians, including many PLP’s, consider a dead and lifeless three years in the one term of the new PLP government."
But Mr. Turnquest recognized yesterday that it was no time for playing politics.
"As I am sure, with most Bahamians, this has come as a shock to all of us, and in respect we have made the decision to postpone our report card mass rally…to next Tuesday, 10th May at the same time and venue [Prince Charles Shopping Centre] pending any further developments."
Mr. Turnquest said, "We are sensitive to the fact that although we engage in daily political activity, there indeed is a time for everything. Now is the time for all Bahamians, regardless of their political affiliation, to offer our prayers and well wishes.
"Certainly, the prayers of the Free National Movement as well as my family and I are with the prime minister and his family. We pray God for his speedy recovery."