PM: Don't challenge my integrity

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AS THE government progresses with plans to construct a new hospital at Eleuthera, Prime Minister Perry Christie told opposition parliamentarians not to challenge his integrity amid concerns of a possible conflict of interest with the acquisition of land.

Mr Christie, who has land matters in his portfolio, insisted that choosing the site for the new medical facility had all to do with the best interests of Bahamians while considering the challenges of catering to an island like Eleuthera.

His comments were in response to an ongoing spat between Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and Central Eleuthera MP Damian Gomez. Mr Lightbourn has questioned why the government would need 17 acres of land for the hospital and why it would pay to acquire the property when it has thousands of acres of land available to it free of charge.

Mr Christie said former PLP MP Philip Bethel and Herbert Cooper, father of junkanoo legend Gus Cooper, were among the owners of the properties.

“I also have the responsibility as Prime Minister,” he said, “of making the right decision when we are speaking of the medical situation. One must recognise that it probably would be easier to evacuate someone from North Eleuthera to New Providence than it is to drive them to Palmetto Point. It is even worse if you have to drive because of an emergency to Savannah Sound.

“So when one is arriving at a decision, it is not a question of government consent. It is a question of what you would do to save the life of someone. When people’s lives are in the balance you are not making a decision that is pragmatic, you are making a decision that will last forever. Where do you establish a medical facility that will serve the entire island of Eleuthera?

“What is the most appropriate place and if you ask the question 20 years after you make the decision, are you likely to have chosen the right place? That’s a decision I have to make as Prime Minister. Don’t waste your time trying to challenge my integrity.”

The Montagu MP said last week that the land deal was a political payoff for Mr Bethel. But Mr Gomez refuted the claims saying that while the acquisition has occurred, there has been no exchange of money.

At the time he said: “At present, no money has changed hands as yet. The reason for that is it’s not by agreement, it’s a compulsory acquisition. It is valued by persons who value property and government normally relies on that and if there is a dispute it goes to court and the court determines what the value is.”

Mr Christie said the island was in need of a medical facility where residents could go for secondary medical interventions, including x-rays and broken bones.

Comments

banker says...

How can you challenge something that Christie doesn't have?

Posted 15 May 2014, 3:06 p.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

Touche...the fact that he's telling you NOT to challenge his integrity just raises huge red flags...another land acquisition, probably paid off at top dollar to his PLP Croonies.

Posted 15 May 2014, 3:38 p.m. Suggest removal

Purcell says...

It's like challenging Santa Claus on the Elves.

Posted 15 May 2014, 3:39 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

How does a politician define "integrity"?????......... PGC political nickname is "Vomit"!!!!! HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT????????????????

Posted 16 May 2014, 1:08 p.m. Suggest removal

BiminiRick says...

Integrity? Explain to me how a mega company gets to destroy the island of Bimini--carte blanche--in violation of permitting, in violation of laws, in violation of the will of the people. If ANY politicians in the Bahamas had any understanding of Bimini or any integrity, the rape of that little island would not be occurring right now.

Posted 16 May 2014, 1:44 p.m. Suggest removal

ProfessorTinker says...

MR. PM, every time you are asked a sensible question you get on the offensive. If the Bahamian people can't read your nonsense then they deserve to be ill treated by you. Every piece of land can be dealt with especially if the government owns the land. Why should the government buy private land when the crown land is sitting there wasting away. MR Christie I know you don't read these comments and I wish you do. STOP THE LAWYERING which equals to LYING.

Posted 16 May 2014, 6:23 p.m. Suggest removal

soldierking says...

crooked christie up to no good as usual.

Posted 17 May 2014, 11:30 a.m. Suggest removal

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