Although former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has apologised to the People’s Republic of China for the Christie administration’s handling of the pay-out for the reconfiguration of West Bay Street to Baha Mar, Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney believes Mr. Ingraham should also apologise to Bahamians.
In a press statement released Sunday, Mr. McCartney said the DNA believes Mr. Ingraham should first apologise for the sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to Cable and Wireless Communications.
The former Ingraham administration sold the country’s primary telecommunications company to Cable and Wireless for $210 million plus stamp taxes.
“We can see today that this was a mistake. In this regard, I would ask if the former prime minister would issue an apology to his former parliamentary colleagues when he said, referring to the BTC sale, that if they did not vote in favor of the sale, he would call a snap election. Indeed the former prime minister must have seen the writing on the wall from back then,” he said.
The DNA leader said Mr. Ingraham should also apologise for changing the traffic direction of roads, which he said caused businesses to go belly up.
“Hundreds of families have not regrouped and are suffering financially as a result of these actions of the former prime minister,” Mr. McCartney said.
“Is there an apology forthcoming by the former prime minister for having an overwhelming record breaking five-year period of murders?
“Is the former prime minister going to apologise for not having the political will to put in place effective immigration policies to stem the flow of illegal immigrants to this country and the development of shanty towns? Is he going to apologise to the Bahamian people for blocking suggested policies on Immigration? Was there an apology by the former prime minister for releasing 110 illegals from the Detention Centre who never returned, some of whom were associated with criminal activities?”
Mr. McCartney said he also believes that Mr. Ingraham is being coaxed to return to frontline politics.
“What is truly worrisome is the talk around town that the former prime minister still has a personal agenda and wants to return to lead the country. Moreover, there are “Ingrahamites” who are encouraging him to return to front line politics. These are the same persons who encouraged the former prime minister, prior to the last election that he was the best thing for this country since sliced bread and that victory at the polls was a certainty. We hear the prime minister’s voice quite regularly these days as it is echoed through a few female writers and columnists on social media, Simon on the Porch and otherwise,” he said.
“We in the DNA think that the former prime minister has had a good run; he has been prime minister of this country for 15 years. We believe that the time has come for him to put down his political sword and try to become a national statesman and utter statements for the benefit of the country and not for personal political gain. The DNA thinks that this is a good opportunity for the former prime minister, which he should use wisely. He certainly did not retire with dignity but now in retirement he has an opportunity to be looked upon as a statesman. We will see if this is possible.”
The DNA leader said now more than ever there is a need for new leadership.
“We must strive to put our people back to work as opposed to putting them out of business, new industries must be developed with Bahamians at the forefront, crime must be reduced, there must be the political will to stem the illegal immigration problem, our educational system must be enhanced, healthcare must be accessible and affordable to all and achieving first world status as a country is a must,” Mr. McCartney said.
“It is time for our country and the Bahamian people to expect and demand more of their leaders. We must now expect good governance and not settle. We cannot go back.”
