PM told put up or shut up over BTC

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WITH Bahamians anticipating an announcement on whether the majority stake in BTC has been successfully acquired, FNM Chairman Daron Cash says Prime Minister Perry Christie should either “put up or shut up”.

Today, Cabinet Ministers, as confirmed by Mr Christie, are expected to discuss the terms of the deal.

On Friday he said: “Let me say one way or another the Cabinet will hear from me next Tuesday and it will never be a subject again in the Cabinet of the Bahamas.”

However, Mr Christie’s promise is not sufficient for Mr Cash who said the government has strung Bahamians along for far too long on the matter.

“If ever he does come forward,” he said, “we would hope that the information he gives is specific and unequivocal. Bahamians know that control means that they have 51 per cent. He should make public that we control appointments to the board and that the government of the Bahamas would receive the dividends commensurate of ownership.

“Also the responsibility of hiring and firing decisions and steps to exercise control of the company should be made known. Then and only then would there be no question that the government of the Bahamas is in control.

“Until there is a document to prove such, Mr Christie should either put up or shut up,” said Mr Cash.

Winning the lion’s share of BTC was a campaign promise of Mr Christie. Since then, he has been unwavering in his efforts despite conflicting statements on how the process was unfolding. Nevertheless, Mr Cash said the entire issue has been an embarrassment for the country.

He added that the concerns of BTC employees have continued to fall on deaf ears.

“The Prime Minister has embarrassed himself and the country. He has had no credibility from day one. He has never been able to give any sanctification that he has done anything to go to bat for employees to solve those problems.

“Mr Christie has representatives on the board and they would have been well aware of the concerns of the union on how BTC is being managed. We haven’t heard anything from him on his commitment to influence their behaviour,” Mr Cash said.

In 2011, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham sold 51 per cent of BTC’s shares to CWC with an agreement that the company would have a monopoly of the Telecom’s sector until April 1, 2014.

Comments

realfreethinker says...

could you imagine where the country might have been if he had put this kind of focus on crime,jobs,wealth creation,REAL UR point whatever?

Posted 21 January 2014, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

With *all* the talks and gossip and innuendo floating around about Bank of the Bahamas, some true, some false and some not far fetched, Bahamians may not be too excited to hear about another national company going back into the hands of Bahamian management, despite how much they want to see Cable and Wireless stop milking the BTC cow, and Bahamians by extension to death.

Do what you feel in your heart to be right — for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be "damned if you do, and damned if you don't."

Posted 21 January 2014, 12:40 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

So wonder if we gonna get an announcement today?

Posted 21 January 2014, 1:38 p.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

Bahahahahahahhahahaha...oh man, that's funny right there!!

Posted 21 January 2014, 1:39 p.m. Suggest removal

Mayaguana34 says...

You will get an announcement and the terms will be some intentionally vague that it will take us until next week to figure out what it really means. The CNNN says they traded ZNS in the deal but speculation can rest after tonights news

Posted 21 January 2014, 1:46 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Granted while it may fall short of committing an act of full sedition against a sitt'in prime minister, Comrade Red Chairman you're not winning over anyone by telling a sitt'in prime minister to shut up, it only presents yourself in a certain bad way lots Bahamalanders may already be viewing you. Let me assure you any attempts at trying to come across as being politically amusing should be of serious concern to your Comrade leader Minnis. Let's just say, a more politically wiser leader would tap you on ya shoulders, ordering ya to shut the hell up.

TheMadHatter says...

I must agree. While I have no affinity for either of them, it is simply disrespectful for the Chairman to use that kind of language. That is a part of the reason why we have all these stabbings and killings going on - it is a bad example set from the top down.

Also, one must wonder, whether he remembers that it was HIS party that sold the thing in the first place.

**TheMadHatter**

Posted 21 January 2014, 8:12 p.m. Suggest removal

If he really wants to sound "tough" and "serious" why don't he publicly say that "Hubert Ingraham was wrong for selling 51% of BTC in the first place."

Wonder if he has the guts to say that? That would show that they are a new FNM moving forward with their own agenda. I guess we'll see.

Posted 21 January 2014, 8:13 p.m. Suggest removal

I think the Chairman is stating the obvious and the majority of Bahamians are tired of hearing our leader ramble along with these announcements that there will be an announcement! Lots of talk and very little action - so I am agreed PUT UP or Shut UP!

Posted 21 January 2014, 2:20 p.m. Suggest removal

hj says...

Agreed on that. I think everyone is tired of PC making these announcements,about BTC. Just let the Bahamian people know and move on

Posted 21 January 2014, 2:43 p.m. Suggest removal

Yes, I tied string around me big toe to remind me but I still forgets, if Hubert ever called a press conference to inform Bahamalanders the details relating to his "controversial" sale of majority control in BTC to foreigners , or is that one still clouded in cabinet secrecy? The reds were not once in power, right?

Posted 21 January 2014, 2:59 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Mr. Cash wait for the announcement it will come. Then let us hear what you will say then. We all know you will say something, even it makes no sense. Cash will have something to say.

Posted 21 January 2014, 4:11 p.m. Suggest removal

bytheway says...

Let us hope that what the PM says makes sense, and that we can fully understand it!

Posted 21 January 2014, 4:41 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

Don,t worry CWC will give him something ,thats really nothing, to let him save face and have union calm or PGC will prolong there monopoly and the public will be screwed w/ no compitition to drive down rates

Posted 21 January 2014, 5:58 p.m. Suggest removal

So, in fact, there is nothing to report, PM is leaving it open for C&W to do whatever is needed to give BTC more competition and who will lose out then? the government, don't they own 49% of BTC and its their profit that will be eroded.

Posted 21 January 2014, 8 p.m. Suggest removal