There is an interesting twist engulfed in this public feud currently underway between The Bahamas Government and the Grand Bahama Port Authority that is less obvious than the demand for the $357 million which is naturally consuming the public’s point of view.
Clearly, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, is not letting up and in so doing is publicly flexing his “No Tolerance-Bahamians First” muscles. Since becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Davis has stood firm publicly on the topic of the Grand Bahama Port Authority which traditionally has been brushed aside by previous leaders. Instead, one of them is busy doing press interviews on being a victim of road rage, like anyone cares. But, that’s another story!
My view is that Freeport is a wonderful place. I like how it is run and it is the model of a modern, clean, island city. However, it is a part of The Bahamas and it is not independent of the rules and regulations of our country. A Prime Minister, his or her Cabinet members and their respective Ministries are sworn in to govern our country and all and sundry should acknowledge and respect that. That is how it is and that is how it has always been.
Grand Bahamians view the Grand Bahama Port Authority as the Government of Freeport. Even with the creation of the Ministry of Grand Bahama in recent times the seniority in terms of authority over this island, for the most part, still rests as the crown worn by the GBPA.
Older Grand Bahamians would attest to the value of the historic contributions of the GB Port Authority which has set the island apart from other islands in our chain. This knowledge of the value this entity previously brought to Freeport, Grand Bahama is what has caused the “value” of the current administration to be held under so much fire.
GB Port Authority is a far cry from that “value” now.
In the days of Sir Jack, Sir Edward and Sir Albert, Freeport, the city, flourished and this undeniable fact is how that city became known as the “magic city”, based on the visible growth and general unique ambiance it possessed. These are attributed to the original architects and developers who committed their lives and their resources to ensuring that Freeport looked and acted differently than the rest of The Bahamas.
However, the mortality of these individuals and the subsequent “handover” of this precious jewel to their children did not come with the same sense of pride, concern for preservation as did the original owners. Long story short, it is more than evident that the children just don’t care.
The best analogy is like when a parent dies and the children are left with the homestead. Their parents would have invested and maintained the home to impeccable standards as it was the center of family life and the most identifiable trademark of the parents. This homestead however will not hold the same value to the children when the parents have gone on to glory. It just doesn’t mean that much to them.
As is the case of Freeport, the inheritors simply do not have the same degree of love and dedication for the island city, as those from whom it was inherited. However, because of the prestige held by the GB Port Authority’s forefathers, this “undeserved level” of reverence has been bestowed upon them.
I’ve checked in with my Freeport, Grand Bahamian sources and they are saying by extension of this alleged abuse, the children/inheritors have created multiple cliques about this island under the guise of the “licensees of the GBPA” of which there are more than 3500. However, the chosen clique comprises about 300 of this 3500 number and consists of like-minded residents, largely expats, who hold high level positions in key employment areas.
Of course this crew shuddered at the thought of losing control of this island to The Government of the Bahamas. The thought of having to remit customs duties for their luxury vehicles or real property tax for their homes is an unconscionable nightmare, as it would change their view of this version of paradise.
This small fraction of individuals extends itself and attracts “voting” Bahamians who are disenchanted with the government of the present day creating this anarchy as it relates to a legal matter such as the one the GB Port Authority and Government are currently involved in.
From my view, these children or inheritors, if you may, have abused their authority and not honored the commitment of their parents to maintain and develop Freeport, Grand Bahama. Instead they use it as a platform to parallel themselves to the Government of The Bahamas. My message to them is to think this through based on the aforementioned – The Bahamas is a country run by a government and Freeeport, Grand Bahama is a part of The Bahamas. Simply put! The government is the government whether it is a PLP government or an FNM government.
Michael Pintard, leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition – FNM – has questioned the Davis Administration’s motive behind the fight with the GBPA. He says it is creating uncertainty for the people of Grand Bahama and is not in the national interest. Pintard says Prime Minister Davis is engaging the GBPA in a row for “narrow political reasons” and to give the impression he is fighting for Grand Bahamians.
The Davis Administration and the GBPA have been engaged in this row over the future of Freeport for some time now. In recent times the row came to a head when the Davis Administration demanded that the Authority pay over $300 million dollars or face arbitration. The GB Port Authority is pushing back, saying it owes the government nothing.
Prime Minister Davis is determined to remind the children that though different (as children with same parents often are) Freeport, Grand Bahama still belongs to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
I would advise Pintard to be very careful here. I would remove politics from this, if I were Pintard. This should not just be about “opposing”, but rather looking out for what is best for Bahamians. Grand Bahama is very “delicate”. I ask Pintard, is the GB Port Authority still good for the people of Freeport?
This matter of GBPA owing monies is not new, or sudden, or resulting from the central governments’ need for money as is currently being spewed from the lips of the political gossip mills. This is a matter of reminding the GB Port Authority of its contractual agreement with the governing authority of The Bahamas.
I’m looking at this with an eagle’s eye. What is really at play here?
I know that our Prime Minister cares about the people of The Bahamas. I also feel that the GB Port Authority needs to be checked. However, given the fact that general elections are just around the corner could this be a part of a calculated strategy to put the GB Port Authority in check as we enter the political season?
If he is successful in securing a second term for the PLP, Prime Minister Davis can easily dethrone and depower the GB Port Authority. This dethroning exercise will force the Authority to align with the Government to bring real growth and steady progress to the fallen city of Freeport as are other islands in this archipelago.
I feel that the value of this is worth far more than that when quantified through the eyes of the entire country who sees the GB Port Authority as the obvious stumbling block to “poor” Freeport’s progress and development. Think about it!
If this is the plan and if he is successful, Prime Minister Davis would have done what no other administration dared to do – open the Pandora’s Box of the GB Port Authority, exposing ALL hands that have fondled her jewels.
As for the inheritors of the GB Port Authority, and essentially Freeport, this depowering would be devastating as they are supposedly “cash poor” and exist only at their current status levels because they appear to have the Government of The Bahamas by the “family jewels”. No government should seek to stay in such a position. Well that’s how I see it, anyway.
“AS I SEE IT” DISCLAIMER – The views and opinions represented in this column, “As I See It” belong to the columnist and do not necessarily represent those of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. The views and opinions expressed in the column are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. This column is for informational purposes only.
