If a country drives on the left but imports vehicles from countries that drive on the right, and we do not align the headlights, I can empathize with your feelings of confusion and frustration.

It is noteworthy that the previous Christie administration had initiated a public-private partnership (PPP1) to construct a state-of-the-art administration building and vehicle inspection centre consisting of four main buildings, including an administration complex, a technical support and facilities management building, a vehicle inspection centre, and storage and maintenance areas. The project, which was expected to be completed in December 2018, was halted by the Minnis administration due to concerns about PPP arrangements made by the previous administration involving a $5 million payment.

While Works Minister Desmond Bannister criticized the PPP arrangements made by his predecessors, he commended the Road Traffic Department arrangement as a model for executing such projects in his budget debate speech last year. However, there is no mention of a meeting at Britely Restaurant & Bar, Eneas St off Poinciana Drive Nassau, Bahamas, where the current Brave administration met with the owner of PTI Bahamas/DACS and promised the group members, who later met with him at his office when he was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works, that their proposal to relaunch the Road Traffic Department would be considered. Brave later informed them that their detailed proposal, including samples and catalogues, went missing. Despite diligent efforts by the late Mr Bruce Walker to locate the missing package, other officials claimed to have seen it but could not recall what happened to it.

> It was later announced that the
> Christie administration had partnered
> with PPP1, The bfg ppp Ventures I
> Limited (PPP1), linked to the
> then-Exuma MP, Chester Cooper. The
> project was expected to include a
> "world-class, 30,000-square-foot
> administrative facility, vehicle
> inspection bays with full car lifts,
> and accommodations for a
> state-of-the-art information
> technology system," according to a
> Nassau Guardian report, a few months
> after the pti/dacs proposal went
> missing.

Although an updated and refined version of the offer was submitted to the Minnis/Turnquest administration and went to Cabinet, the administration had other cronyism plans. Thus, if the project is eventually completed and a new Road Traffic Department is established, it would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction for the country's development. However, it raises concerns about the government's integrity and treatment of Bahamians who invest years in an initiative only to have it stolen by the corruption that plagues the government.

The proposals by the Bahamas Automobile Safety and Inspection Centre Ltd were first submitted to the Government in 2014 in response to the bidding process for modernizing the vehicle licensing process that Data Torque ultimately won. Vehicle licence plate manufacturing was handed to the Department of Correctional Services (Fox Hill prison) in 2016 in partnership with US firm John R. Wald Company.

...and I hope we are not sending money over in support of the little 'murderous' freak.

> What kinda 'Jackass' this guy is I
> could understand that 'Brave' holding
> a credulous position due to (The
> Bahamas) dependence on the US, but for
> God's sack, tune the ass sucking down,
> and please don't speak for me. Ukraine
> is a cesspool of Natzi hate, and The
> Bahamas should remain neutral in the
> conflict.

Again, "what is the value of being a Bahamian?". This is a disgraceful insult to the proud heritage and identity of the Bahamian people and how we are now being treated. The treatment of Bahamians suggests that being a citizen of this country is of little or no value and directly attacks the dignity and worth of every Bahamian.

Furthermore, this sentiment is reinforced by the tragic incident at the Princess Margaret Hospital last month while waiting for blood. Her family is appealing for answers to her untimely death.

This kind of attitude is unacceptable and must be challenged at every turn. Being a Bahamian is a source of pride and strength, and the contributions of Bahamians to their country and the wider world are immeasurable. To suggest otherwise is a blatant falsehood and a disservice to the hard work and dedication of generations of Bahamians who have built and sustained their nation.

> It is time for all Bahamians to stand
> up and demand the respect and dignity
> that they deserve. This means holding
> those in power accountable for their
> actions and ensuring that the rights
> and needs of Bahamians are given the
> highest priority.

***The value of being a Bahamian is immeasurable, and it is up to us all to ensure that this is recognized and respected.***

The Bahamian People are forced into a system of 'work and pay, tax slavery', where they bear the financial burden of the country's mismanagement. At the same time, those responsible remain unaccountable and unscathed.

> 'What Is The Value of Being A Bahamian.'

***Again, "what is the value of being a Bahamian?".*** This is a disgraceful insult to the proud heritage and identity of the Bahamian people who we are now being treated. The treatment of Bahamians suggests that being a citizen of this country is of little or no value and directly attacks the dignity and worth of every Bahamian.

Furthermore, this sentiment is reinforced by the tragic incident at the Rand Memorial Hospital, where the remains of a young Bahamian child were treated with callous disregard. It is clear that there are those who do not respect the value of Bahamian lives and who are willing to treat them as disposable.

This kind of attitude is unacceptable and must be challenged at every turn. Being a Bahamian is a source of pride and strength, and the contributions of Bahamians to their country and the wider world are immeasurable. To suggest otherwise is a blatant falsehood and a disservice to the hard work and dedication of generations of Bahamians who have built and sustained their nation.

It is time for all Bahamians to stand up and demand the respect and dignity that they deserve. This means holding those in power accountable for their actions and ensuring that the rights and needs of Bahamians are given the ***highest priority***.

***

*The value of being a Bahamian is
immeasurable, and it is up to us all
to ensure that this is recognized and
respected.*

***

It is not considered policing to violate and abuse the rights of Bahamians. Policing and the rule of law should always be important, and not only when it serves political expediency.

Why has the Bahamas Road Traffic Department been handed over to a private citizen (who is the father of a current member of parliament), creating more confusion and frustration for the Bahamian people (in a new act of cronyism by the Brave/Cooper Administration) while a proposal submitted to The Bahamas Cabinet (of the previous Minnis Administration) in 2019 remains unanswered?

*** Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)***

Here is a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of The Bahamas and Bahamas Automobile Safety and Inspection Centre Company Limited (BASIC), outlining a public-private partnership (PPP) for a National Periodic Technical Inspection of Motor Vehicles and Environmental CO2 Emissions Reduction Testing. Please note that the MOU only expresses the parties' intentions and does not establish any legal relationship, rights, duties, or consequences.

BASIC is a limited liability company that seeks to enhance and streamline the vehicular licensing and inspection process of the Road Traffic Department. The company aims to connect all RTD substations, police, insurance companies, customs department, and other relevant government agencies throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. BASIC will have a presence in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Family Islands. The main facility in New Providence will feature three floors and around 60,000 sq. feet of office space, situated on a portion of The Government of The Bahamas Crown Land. The reception area will offer comfortable seating, entertainment, an electronic public queuing system, and customer amenities like restrooms and ATMs.

The testing centers will have an Administration Offices section, a 2 - 6 Bay Vehicle Garage with a Vehicle Weight Station, and cutting-edge computerized testing equipment for various vehicle categories. BASIC will ensure that each vehicle meets the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law at the time of inspection test, with a three-year grace period to bring all motor vehicles up to Euro Emissions Standards four 4-5 if adopted.

BASIC will lease or acquire parcels of Crown Land in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Family Islands to construct seven high-capacity and innovative vehicle testing and inspection facilities. The Bahamas Government will assist in leasing Crown Land for a 20-year period and safeguard the Joint Venture investment from competition. The government will also have a predictable revenue stream protected by a long-term contract and will draft and implement legislation within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to support BASIC's role and responsibilities. A duty-free concession will be permitted on all building materials used for the construction of facilities on New Providence and the Family Islands, and BASIC will receive $3.25 million in advance. The parties will further negotiate and agree on specific areas of cooperation before initiating any particular activity.

Also, what would come of this 18 Million Dollar Hospital software Upgrade?

Integrated Healthcare Information Management System
Public Hospitals Authority
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Issued: July 11, 2013
Response Due: September 5, 2013