By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

ORGANISERS of the “We March Bahamas” protest were described as arrogant by a Cabinet minister who called their refusal to meet with Prime Minister Perry Christie on matters of national concern both a “disappointment” and a “mistake”.

Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett issued the rebuke yesterday just days after he, Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald and Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, and others, made an unexpected appearance at the protest.

Last Thursday, Mr Christie released a statement inviting protest organisers to meet with him to discuss their issues stating that he is “painfully aware” that the country has suffered tremendous setbacks.

On Friday, however, Ranard Henfield, lead organiser of the demonstration, said he had no interest in meeting the nation’s leader at the “ninth hour” but would meet once Mr Christie has tabled the legislation the protestors have demanded.

And as the prime minister did not appear at Parliament Square as requested by protestors, a pledge was made to stage a similar event on Majority Rule Day if the government does not meet their demands.

Mr Dorsett, however, yesterday called the organisers’ response a “great disappointment.”

“I must express my great disappointment with the event organisers for turning down the invitation from the prime minister for a sit down meeting,” he said in a statement.

“Their arrogance lost them the opportunity to have a purposeful, productive exchange about the issues raised. That was a mistake. I believe that the only way to address the challenges facing our country is to do so together and by staying open to talking to each other. Divisive politics and rhetoric are not conducive to a stronger Bahamas.

“I ask that we all come together as one and build the Bahamas we wish to see for our children,” Mr Dorsett stressed.

On Friday, as several PLP MPs mingled with those participating in the march, various protestors could be heard quietly questioning their presence after Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, in an audio recording, condemned the protest as a propaganda exercise and vowed that no PLP supporter should be “caught dead” at the event.

Mr Dorsett yesterday explained his choice to appear at the protest as his acceptance of an invite “to members of government” and “because I have deep love for our beautiful country and respect for the democratic right for free speech.”

Mr Dorsett said he was aware that the march organisers, in their open letter to the government, called for a policy to facilitate the use of renewable energy.

“I remind them that this has been done,” Mr Dorsett countered.

“The National Energy Policy speaks to our goal of a minimum of 30 per cent renewable energy penetration in our energy matrix by 2033, and we have begun the national dialogue on the matter. The government has also amended the Electricity Act to allow for renewable energy generating systems and interconnection to the grid as well as established the regulator for the electricity sector- the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA).

“The Residential Energy Self Generation (RESG) programme that will allow homes and businesses to use solar generating systems to connect to the grid under a net billing framework with BPL is currently before URCA for its review and finalisation. We have been, and continue to be, committed to policies that deliver positive change.”

Mr Dorsett argued that the government “is working tirelessly every day for a stronger Bahamas” and that “the National Development Plan, the National Youth Policy, the Shared Vision for Education 2030 – these are all initiatives focused on building a modern and prosperous Bahamas.”

More than 1,000 frustrated residents gathered at the Arawak Cay meeting site prior to a march in protest against the government for its ineffective management of the country’s affairs. Some protestors occupied Parliament Square until 1am Saturday as part of the protest.