Opposition leader says current govt fails to understand role of BAMSI
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) Bill 2022 will provide the institution with greater autonomy and remove the “undue influence” parliamentarians and the government have on its daily operations, according to Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Clay Sweeting.
Sweeting, who led debate on the bill in Parliament yesterday, said it is being implemented to lay the educational foundation for the future of agriculture and marine science in this country.
No more calling the member of Parliament or the minister to influence who gets accepted, hired or fired.
– Minister of Agriculture Clay Sweeting
“This bill provides the legal framework and guidelines for the operation of the institution. Upon the passing of this bill, BAMSI will be able to operate at 100 percent functioning capacity,” said Sweeting.
“This bill will give the president and board of directors of the institution autonomous control over the affairs of BAMSI, aligning it on par with other institutions nationally and internationally.”
Sweeting noted that Senator Dr Erecia Hepburn will serve as the first woman president of the institute.
According to Sweeting, the BAMSI Bill will give the institution the legal framework to solidify agreements with other educational and research institutions, as it attempted to with the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School.
“BAMSI can now see these types of relationships established and provide expert training, research and instruction that our students need to grow the agricultural and marine sectors in this country,” said Sweeting.
He added: “This bill will legitimize BAMSI as an educational institution for science and research. It will not be a farm selling produce to compete with local farmers.
“BAMSI’s students will, however, create marketing plans and value chains as it pertains to research and agribusiness planning. They will create models for Bahamian farmers that make sense.
“Through data collection, science and technology, students will be able to place a monetary value on items grown or produced at BAMSI.”
Sweeting noted that the bill will remove the “undue influence” parliamentarians, ministers and the government have on the daily operations of the institute.
“No more calling the member of Parliament or the minister to influence who gets accepted, hired or fired,” Sweeting said.
BAMSI is not designed to be a net producer or massive producer of fruits and vegetables, livestock, etc.
– Opposition Leader Michael Pintard
“The board of directors and the president can together pursue relationships with other reputable institutions to promote, position and strengthen BAMSI. They can create opportunities for BAMSI to create income and expand programs.
“The BAMSI Bill, 2022, is setting the legal framework to ensure that the actions of the board of directors and its president is transparent and accountable.
“The board will be required to submit annual reports of the institution’s progress. The board will be mandated to prepare a full audit no less than three months following the beginning of each fiscal year.”
Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, during his contribution to the debate on the bill, suggested that the current administration has misunderstood the role of BAMSI.
“BAMSI is not designed to be a net producer or massive producer of fruits and vegetables, livestock, etc,” said Pintard.
“BAMSI has 800 acres and unless you are putting a portion of that under cultivation using hydroponics or aquaponics, you are not going to produce the volume required on an open 800-acre production.”
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