By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday formally accepted Prime Minister Perry Christie’s invitation to have a briefing on Baha Mar after the $3.5 billion resort’s shock Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in a United States court last Monday.

Dr Minnis insisted that the Free National Movement remains “completely committed” to assisting the government in any and all matters of critical importance to the wellbeing of Bahamians.

In that regard, Dr Minnis said the FNM is open to having the “meaningful and substantive discussion” needed on Baha Mar, but has requested that the Christie administration provide the opposition with all the information and documents related to the Cable Beach resort.

“These documents would assist us to better appreciate the details surrounding the decision of the Baha Mar bankruptcy petition,” said Dr Minnis in a statement.

“While it is our view that this unfortunate recent development is shocking, disquieting, alarming and unacceptable to all Bahamians, this national dilemma is bigger than political differences and we will remind the prime minister that his expressed desire for a bipartisan approach would have been more readily appreciated and met with less cynicism if the government had, from the outset of the Baha Mar project, observed higher standards of transparency by communicating with the public and the official opposition.”

He added: “It is our hope that the prime minister’s feeling of being blindsided by the actions taken by Baha Mar would cause him to have a greater appreciation and better understanding of the need at all times for full disclosure and transparency in matters of State such as this.”

The Killarney MP stated that unlike the government – which initially claimed it would take no sides in the ongoing dispute between Baha Mar and its contractor China State Construction and lender the Export-Import Bank of China – the FNM is firmly committed to the Bahamians affected.

“Our sole interest in this matter is the completion of the Baha Mar project and towards this end we are making arrangements to meet with all stakeholders in the Baha Mar project to explore solutions and give our support for an early resumption of this project,” Dr Minnis’ statement said.

“The Free National Movement remains committed to ensuring that the government accounts to the Bahamian people and we will insist that the government be frank, open, honest and transparent in dealing with this unfortunate national tragedy.”

Mr Christie extended the invitation during an emergency press conference held last Tuesday evening, hours after both the FNM and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) laid blame for the Baha Mar issue at the feet of the government.

Dr Minnis told The Tribune last Wednesday that he would first canvass his parliamentarians and senators for their views on the government’s offer before committing himself to the briefing. At the time, Dr Minnis claimed that Bahamians felt jaded by the government’s repeated failures and had lost both trust and faith in the PLP’s ability to govern.

In a statement on Thursday, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts criticised Dr Minnis’ decision, saying it was “disgraceful” for Dr Minnis to pretend to care about the 2,400 employees of Baha Mar affected by the resort’s bankruptcy filing.

Mr Roberts accused the FNM leader of using the situation to advance his personal political agenda.

Baha Mar was originally scheduled to open its doors in December 2014, but due to construction and financial issues, that opening date has been delayed three times.