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.