Proposal for the Road Traffic Department (RTD)

The Road Traffic Department (RTD) has long been plagued by systemic issues driven primarily by petty politics and outright corruption. For over two decades, these issues have transformed the department into a personal financial supplement for a select few individuals. These individuals have connections extending to the highest levels of the Ministry of Finance, a small cadre of providers, and both current and former employees of the RTD. This corruption has fueled a lifestyle of opulence for those involved, akin to the standards of the ultra-rich. Furthermore, this corruption is highly contested and protected, making resolution difficult. For example, The Bahamas has gone without new license plates for the past three months due to infighting over which group will provide the service.

The persistent dysfunction within the RTD is a unique phenomenon; similar patterns are not observed in other jurisdictions where management and technology discourage corruption. The inefficiency and confusion that currently characterize the RTD are deliberate constructs designed to facilitate financial gain for those manipulating the system. When the department fails to function effectively, it creates opportunities for illicit income.

A more effective solution would involve overhauling the RTD's management structure. I challenge both political parties to consider privatizing the department's management. Introducing private sector management could eliminate 99.9% of the current problems, as private entities are typically more efficient, transparent, and accountable than their public sector counterparts. This approach would align the department's operations with best practices observed in other successful jurisdictions, ultimately fostering a more functional and less corrupt RTD.

Brother Capron, the Bahamas is not a true country and never was. However, it could be if a few strong men commit themselves to manage this little piece of paradise properly.

...keeping my mouth shut!

CARL Culmer should refrain from speaking because there was a lot of "worse" in the former Minnis-led FNM Administration. It is disingenuous to paint a picture as if Minnis was the only "worse" aspect of that failed administration.

Parliamentary Debate and Legal Scrutiny
Pintard has called for a parliamentary debate on the contract, demanding that the agreement and the associated fees be scrutinized and validated through proper legislative processes. He stresses the importance of competitive bidding and transparent procurement practices to ensure public trust and accountability.

Incident at the Press Briefing
Tensions over the JDL Cargo contract escalated during a press briefing when journalist Youri Kemp accused Simon Wilson of lying about the government's dealings with JDL. The confrontation led to a heated exchange, with the Office of the Prime Minister condemning Kemp's approach as a personal attack. The incident underscores the high stakes and strong emotions involved in this controversy.

Conclusion
The JDL Cargo contract issue highlights critical challenges in public-private partnerships, particularly regarding transparency, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to legal procedures. As the government works to address these concerns and improve communication with affected parties, ongoing scrutiny from political leaders, the business community, and the media will play a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of the contract are equitably distributed and that public trust is maintained.

The controversy surrounding the $25 million contract awarded to JDL Cargo for managing the air freight terminal at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) highlights several significant issues involving government transparency, stakeholder engagement, and procedural integrity.

> Understanding Key Concerns and
> Criticisms of the “JDL Scandal”

Michael Pintard and the Free National Movement (FNM):

Michael Pintard, the leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), has been a leading critic of the Davis administration's handling of the contract with JDL Cargo. Pintard's primary concerns revolve around the following:

Lack of Competitive Bidding: Pintard alleges that the government failed to conduct a proper competitive bidding process, bypassing the usual Request For Proposals (RFP) that ensures transparency and fairness.

Legal and Procedural Concerns: He questions the legal framework under which the contract was awarded, demanding clarity on which laws or regulations permitted the Ministry of Finance to engage JDL Cargo without parliamentary debate.

Stakeholder Engagement: Pintard highlights the absence of dialogue with key stakeholders, particularly the Customs Department, before finalizing the contract, leading to confusion and discontent among customs officers and other affected parties.

Business Sector Reaction:
The business community has expressed significant concerns about the impact of the new fees introduced by JDL Cargo.

Notably:

- List item

Increased Costs: The introduction of a 20 cents per pound air freight terminal handling fee, along with other charges, has raised fears of increased operational costs. Businesses worry that these fees will make margins too thin, particularly for smaller couriers, potentially driving some out of business.

Operational Disruptions: Due to uncertainties about the new fee structure, some businesses have started rerouting their shipments via ocean freight, causing a slowdown in the air freight sector.

Government Response:
Financial Secretary Simon Wilson has attempted to address these concerns by:

Assurances Against Monopoly Pricing:
Wilson has pledged that the government will not permit JDL Cargo to engage in predatory pricing practices. He emphasizes that the aim is to make the contract beneficial for all stakeholders.

Acknowledgement of Communication Failures:
Wilson admits that the government has not communicated effectively with stakeholders, promising to improve transparency and stakeholder engagement moving forward.

Justification for the PPP:
Wilson defends the decision to engage JDL Cargo, citing the poor state of the current air freight terminal and the lack of interest from other potential partners over the past decade. He argues that JDL Cargo was the only entity willing to undertake the necessary renovations and manage the facility.

continue:-

To ensure the success of the Free National Movement (FNM) in the upcoming elections, it is imperative to endorse Kwasi Thompson as the next leader and potential Bahamian Prime Minister. His leadership would not only secure my support but also galvanize the backing of our community, thereby significantly boosting the FNM's chances of victory. Conversely, any other candidate for the FNM leadership would likely result in an automatic win for the Brave/Chaster team, driven by a diminished voter turnout and waning support for FNM candidates led by Pintard or Minnis.

The government's involvement frequently results in decisions influenced by personal connections rather than the best interests of the Bahamas and its citizens. Nepotism and favouritism often prevail, with individuals prioritizing the well-being of their friends, relatives, and close associates over public welfare. This issue is particularly evident in various sectors, such as awarding contracts intended to improve the Road Traffic Department (RTD). Crucial initiatives, including issuing vehicle plates and other measures to reduce fraud and implementing systems to detect and prevent unlicensed and uninsured vehicles, are often stalled by those with vested interests.

Despite the Prime Minister's declarations, progress is impeded by influential individuals within the system who benefit from maintaining the status quo. In positions to effect change, these individuals frequently interfere with their superiors' directives and operate with impunity. A similar situation is observable in the realm of monitoring systems. A simple search would reveal the most effective and widely used systems with local representation in the Bahamas. Nevertheless, these solutions are often disregarded because they do not align with the preferences of the entrenched establishment. This resistance persists despite the evident weaknesses and difficulties in rectifying current systems.

For example, the issue of monitored individuals being able to remove their bracelets would be significantly reduced if more widely used and effective systems were adopted. However, resistance to change and safeguarding personal interests continue to hinder the adoption of superior solutions, ultimately to the detriment of the Bahamian people and the efficacy of governance.

> Publicly airing internal conflicts
> will not help the Free National
> Movement (FNM) emerge from its
> political wilderness.

The Bahamian electorate is deeply concerned about their future in a country that has decayed to the point where a record number of Bahamians have left, with more planning to follow. This exodus highlights the pervasive sentiment that the nation increasingly serves the interests of a select few and foreign entities. Critical concerns such as rising crime rates, a failing healthcare system, societal instability, an inadequate education system, the high cost of living, job insecurity, and pervasive lawlessness dominate the public discourse. Additionally, there is widespread disillusionment with a corrupt political process characterized by cronyism and victimization. Many fear political assassination and being labelled for exercising their right to choose. Addressing these issues is paramount for restoring confidence and hope among Bahamians for FNM and PLP.

However, there are also biblical warnings about false claims to Jewish identity, such as in Revelation 2:9, which states, "I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." This suggests a more nuanced view of what it means to be aligned with God's purposes, challenging simplistic or uncritical support of Jews (Zionism) based solely on national or religious identity.