DAYS after a recent crime advisory was issued by the United States Embassy in Nassau regarding alleged sex attacks against Americans by Jet Ski operators, Minister of Works Philip Davis advised Straw Market vendors to “count the cost” and understand the consequences of their actions.

He spoke at the Straw Market Authority’s breakfast meeting at the Crab House and Seafood Emporium on Collins Avenue yesterday.

Mr Davis, deputy prime minister, said the event’s theme ‘All a We is One’ is a reminder that “we are all apples in a barrel” and one bad fruit can spoil the whole lot.

“It just takes ‘one a we’ to do something terrible to one of the tourists,” he told the straw vendors. “The next thing you would have is another advisory coming from the American Embassy that says don’t go in Nassau Straw Market. Do we understand what all that means? It takes all of us to make this work and it only takes one of us to make it not work.”

He also urged the vendors to embrace the power of love.

“Sometimes, as leaders, because we have power and control we fall in love with the fact that we control and that we are powerful. What dominates us is what I call this love of power that is destructive and undermines this concept ‘All a we are one.’ What makes all of us one is not the love of power but the power of love,” he said.

Mr Davis also encouraged the vendors to help build the economy.

“There is tremendous talent among the Bahamian people. We therefore encourage vendors to go back to basics and offer more Bahamian-made products in the Straw Market. This is your Bahamas. Help it grow.”

Arnold Forbes, minister of state in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, called on the vendors to take their positions of strength and pride seriously.

“Today you should stand proud because you are the nucleus of what a Bahamian family is. You are the leaders of this country and this community. You carry much weight. Use it to your benefit, your advantage and to the betterment of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said Mr Forbes.