Friday, December 6, 2024
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder yesterday condemned FNM Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis for accusing the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) of corruption, calling her remarks inappropriate and a distortion of history.
Senator Barnett-Ellis made the comments during yesterday’s Senate debate on the Local Government Bill, accusing successive PLP administrations of a “long-standing integrity problem” while calling for a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
“Bahamian pride is real,” she said. “We are proud of these 700 islands and cays and the people who occupy them. We have constantly strived to be better. We have fought to protect our good name. We do not take it lightly when governments engage in corruption.
“The PLP cannot run from their history – they have always had an integrity problem. They were voted out for their corrupt behaviour in 1992, 2007, and 2017. God willing, they will be voted out again whenever the next election is called because our country cannot survive another term of what we are given by their administration.”
Her remarks came in the wake of a recent US federal indictment alleging that Bahamian government officials, including high-ranking members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, facilitated drug trafficking operations. Prosecutors claim traffickers have smuggled tons of cocaine through The Bahamas into the United States since 2021.
Yesterday, Mrs Barnett-Ellis described corruption as a pervasive issue undermining trust, stifling development, and perpetuating inequality, citing its manifestations in bribery, embezzlement, favouritism, and fraud across both public and private sectors.
Mr Pinder, however, strongly objected to her assertions about PLP administrations.
“For her to bring this type of allegation and dither within this place is beyond her – she knows better,” Mr Pinder said. “And just because she is trying to prove a point to her failed leader in that other place to try and peddle some constituency doesn’t allow her to come in here and talk about the most established political party in the history of this country.
“The political party that brought this country to independence, Mr Chairman. The political party that created national insurance. For her to sit there and talk about us like that is misguided, and it should be withdrawn, Mr Chairman.”
Comments
tell_it_like_it_is says...
Both PLP and FNM have an integrity problem TBH. Every 5 years the government changes and things don't get any better no matter who is in power. <br/>
I have NO faith in ANY politician, no matter what political persuasion they adhere to. It will take a serious weeding out for both parties to enact change. I am confident both sides are comfortable with the status quo and won't do anything substantial. <br/>Next election will likely see the FNM winning. Near the end of their term, we'll be having the same debate over some other scandal. <br/>
**Same script, different cast in perpetuity** it seems. SIGH!🤦♂️
Posted 6 December 2024, 11:13 a.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Is a picture worth a thousand words?
Mr. Pinder, sit small.
The PLP is a corrupt organization.
Perhaps the FNM is too.
But, without doubt the PLP is corrupt beyond redemption, hands down.
Posted 6 December 2024, 11:21 a.m. Suggest removal
realfreethinker says...
She would be correct
Posted 6 December 2024, 12:23 p.m. Suggest removal
tetelestai says...
So, let me get this straight - both PLPs and FNMs
1) Go to the same schools (public or private);
2) Attend the same churches;
3) Are in the same civic organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, lodge, fraternity, et al).
4) Consistently cross political parties (Dissident 8, Ingraham, Kenyatta Gibson, Komolafe, Bran)
But only PLPs are corrupt?
Ok man, if that is the logic that you are going with...
Posted 9 December 2024, 3:57 a.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
The Fnm has their Barry Major their OBAN their toggie and boggie, now remember when the doc interfered with the senior police force he did not touch Johnson or Curtis,, the woman is campaigning, never mind the looney farm,
Posted 6 December 2024, 12:28 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
News to the world, "indicted" and "a **high** ranking politician*"
Posted 6 December 2024, 12:42 p.m. Suggest removal
Observer says...
Isn't this symptomatic of a large segment of our society?
Posted 6 December 2024, 2 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
**AG, de plane, de plane!"** -- Is the catchphrase that best describes the **physical whereabouts'** of the government's recent $2.2 million acquisition of de plane, de plane -- which may have passed down from foreign Drug Lords to -- Ended up being placed in to the service of a **cartel of local officials dealing in drugs, arms, money laundering and bribes.** -- Yes?
Posted 6 December 2024, 4:32 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Two political nepotists doing what they do best; grandstanding and blowing nothing but hot air!
Posted 6 December 2024, 4:38 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
AG, will the popoulaces' get to see a release, naming 'de plane, de plane:' -- As to **if, who, what, where and when** the $2.2 million (or a lower or greater amount than) were paid? -- Has 'de plane, de plane' ever been put 'into service,' with/without approval: -- Yes?
Posted 6 December 2024, 8:47 p.m. Suggest removal
trueBahamian says...
Is he serious? We have had a lot of issues over the years. She is right. But to be fair there have been some issues with the FNM as well. But, the PLP had the reins of leadership for much longer. To be accurate historically, they were issues with the UBP as well. For the AG to pretend like this is just political points is a joke. He knows the history. The Commissions of Inquiry. The allegations of involvement in drug trafficking in the 70s and 80s. The use of Norman's Cay. Don't play dumb! We constantly have things popping up. We have record revenue collection, yet we can not balance the budget. How does he reconcile this math? The public purse is being treated like the personal finances of the PM and those around him. In the name of all things right and honorable that is left in this country, the entire party should resign.
Posted 6 December 2024, 9:05 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Only the Bahamian people can abolish a political party. This is why the PLP and FNM parties have a common interest in our public education system producing for the most part dumbed-down D- educated Bahamians who can be easily manipulated by a corrupt elitist class of ruling politicians. And our corrupt and very greedy politicians have perfected their expertise at taking nearly all our economy has to offer for themselves and their favoured cronies, while leaving only crumbs if anything for the vast majority of struggling D- educated Bahamians.
Posted 7 December 2024, 11:47 a.m. Suggest removal
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