NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It has been almost traditional in Bahamian politics, especially during electoral campaigns and in the aftermath, for assorted parties and defeated individuals to cry foul or worse. The cycle is now repeating itself. Over in the great constituency of Saint Barnabas, the opposition forces, such as they would have been, were badly mashed up by the dominant PLP and its brilliant standard bearer, the Hon. Michael Halkitis (PLP-St. Barnabas).
While any administration operates as a team, it is crystal clear to me that Minister Halkitis is one of the principal Architect of the resurgent Bahamian economic boom. Under his leadership within his then portfolio of Minister of Economic Affairs, our economic ship of state was steered away from potentially dangerous financial reefs and shoals.
Under his tenure the national economy grew by 3.8% over the last fiscal period. Unemployment is less than 10% and trending downward even as you read this. In fact, our economy is the best in the region and far surpasses many larger nations. We really need to start giving credit where it is due regardless of politics.
So the FNM was unable to defeat the PLP at the recent elections so that party seems determined to undermine this second consecutive Davis by any and all means necessary. It has asserted that the PLP has potentially ‘corrupt’ members, inclusive of cabinet Ministers without a single iota of factual evidence!!
They have questioned Minister Halkitis’s role in the private sector as a Certified Financial Consultant. He was , while out of office, listed on corporate documents as an officer and director of a company believed to be beneficially owned by a Bahamian who now finds himself in the custody of the USA Justice Department.
The nexus which the FNM and their legally ignorant allies seek to find to tie Minister Halkitis to that person is totally absent. Then there is the curious case where a chartered aircraft had to ditch at sea while conveying registered voters in the West End Constituency from Abaco to Grand Bahama.
That same individual who is now in the USA allegedly had an envelope with cash. They alleged that that envelope was destined for the now current PLP Member of Parliament for West End. Again, there is no criminal or legal nexus.. All of these antics are mere distractions and should be totally ignored unless and until there is evidence to the contrary.
In short, no one in the PLP administration of the House of Assembly needs to resign, at this time. I suggest that the FNM instead of chasing after straws, focus on the matter involving a capture boat. now in USA’s custody along with a declared and acknowledged ‘business partner’ of former FNM candidate for Mount Moriah. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
