THE TRIBUNE
FORMER MINISTER SAYS GRAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN UPFRONT WITH THE PEOPLE By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Tennyson Wells yesterday said he saw no issue with a controversial $2.1 billion Chinese proposal for Andros, but admonished current Minister V Alfred Gray for not being “upfront with the people.” “Gray should have been upfront with the people instead of trying to hide it,” Mr Wells told The Tribune when contacted for comment yesterday. “He should go to the people who are in the industry. Talk with the farmers, fisherman, processors, because we produce seafood now that is being exported to Europe, US, and Canada. So if we can produce more, if it’s there and the fishery is properly managed, I don’t see a problem with it.” Mr Wells added: “Most of the problems that Gray has been in over the years, is that he just tries to be secretive when it’s unnecessary. Just say what the facts are, and you’ll be much better off.” The Tribune asked Mr Wells as well as former Cabinet Minister George Smith, whose former portfolios included agriculture and fisheries, to weigh in on the proposal.
“Most of the problems that Gray has been in over the years, is that he just tries to be secretive when it’s unnecessary. Just say what the facts are, and you’ll be much better off.”
Former Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Tennyson Wells Earlier this week it was reported that the Bahamas embassy in China had been given the go ahead by Mr Gray to have discussions with Chinese investors over the proposal. The proposal projects a $2.1 billion injection into the local economy over ten years through an equal partnership between Bahamians and the People’s Republic of China. According to an earlier report, the proposed partnership will entail the incorporation of 100 companies, with the agricultural products and seafood to be used for local consumption, and exported to China and the United States for sale. The proposal also reportedly includes the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros. When the news broke, Mr Gray admitted to reporters that he told newly appointed Chinese ambassador Paul Gomez that he could discuss the proposal with “interested investors.”
And while he later called media reports about the proposal utterly “false”, Mr Gray also said on Tuesday that such a plan could be a “good thing” for the country because Bahamians generally “lack interest” in the agriculture industry. He has been embroiled in controversy ever since. “I would have thought that Gray would have discussed with his people internally or have some debate on it in the fishing and farming community,” Mr Wells said. “I don’t see nothing wrong with him trying to expand, I think that’s his duty. The only question is how you go about it.” Meanwhile Mr Smith told The Tribune he was shocked to learn of the proposed partnership given the government’s longstanding policy that the fishing industry, and to an extent the farming industry, was reserved for Bahamians. “When I first saw that I was a
Friday, November 4, 2016, PAGE 3
little peeved and disappointed,” Mr Smith said. “I think the ambassador was well intended but obviously he either wasn’t overly familiar with the longstanding policies.” Mr Smith said that, as the longest serving minister with that portfolio, he understood the public’s gut reaction to the proposal. “First of all about the use of Bahamian land for farming purposes to raise animals, and I know how Bahamians feel about the fishing industry and every time persons experimented with getting foreign partners it always failed,” Mr Smith said, “because it could never be accepted by the Bahamian people and the industry.” Mr Smith suggested that Mr Gomez’s focus should be on the end goal of the Chinese investors, which he said was access to the country’s agricultural products and seafood. “Since what you want is the product to be available to your citizens,” Mr Smith said, “why don’t you think and I’ll try to persuade the government to encourage the establishment of a commercial bank in the Bahamas to give venture capital to Bahamians who want to go into business. You make available to that entity certain monies, the
same amount that you say you want to invest in these joint venture arrangements. “Some of it you expect to recover over a period of time, that bank ownership could be broad based and established to do these undertakings and empower the Bahamians.The problem with Bahamians in farming is that they are never able to get money necessary to do it.” For his part, Mr Wells said the potential of farming and fishing industries in the country were seriously underdeveloped, but he noted that the main concern was ownership and how such a partnership would impact operations at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). Mr Wells said: “What is the purpose of BAMSI if you’re not going to train persons to do what they ought to do? “I think if they can get $2b injected into that sector of the economy it would be worthwhile, it’s just a question of how they do it. The US was developed through immigration and the Bahamas can be developed along similar lines as long as Bahamians are at the forefront, and in control.”
$2.1BN PROPOSAL ‘CAME FROM AMBASSADOR, NOT CHINESE GOVT’
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@ tribunemedia.net
THE $2.1 billion proposal for the development of agriculture and fisheries in Andros was pitched to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources by the government’s ambassador to China, and not the Chinese government or investors, according to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister V Alfred Gray yesterday. Insisting that he would not be a “scapegoat,” Mr Gray took steps to further clarify his ministry’s role in the proposal during an appearance on the radio talk show Off Air with host Andrew Burrows. Mr Gray explained that Bahamas Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Paul “Andy” Gomez had submitted the proposal as an overview of items that he sought clearance from the government to discuss with investors in China.
Discussions “(Mr Gomez’s) remit from me was to discuss it,” Mr Gray said, “and once you discuss it, send me and the government a report to see what you might have concluded by way of your discussions for the government’s consideration. “The remit that he submitted to me did not come from the Chinese that came from him, subjects he wanted to discuss. I gave permission for him to discuss those things and come back to me in two to
AGRICULTURE and Fisheries Minister V Alfred Gray. three weeks to make rec- the local economy over ommendations, something ten years through an equal to say no or yes to.” partnership between BaMr Gray added: “He has hamians and the People’s not even started his dis- Republic of China. cussions yet, so how can you have a proposal?” When asked how the draft letter of the proposal was leaked, Mr Gray said: According to an earlier “Mr Ambassador himself report in a local daily, the admitted to the govern- proposed partnership will ment that once he got the entail the incorporation of letter of permission, he 100 companies, with the took it upon himself to agricultural products and talk with Bahamas Na- seafood to be used for lotional Trust, to talk with cal consumption, and exagencies of the govern- ported to China and the ment, to get their bless- United States for sale. ings. The proposal also report“He told us that he pro- edly includes the option vided the BNT and a few to lease 10,000 acres of other agencies with a copy Crown land in Andros. of my letter but it was no As the social media secret and it’s still no se- firestorm over the potencret. tial implications of such a “The initiatives were deal continued yesterday, Mr Gomez’s ideas and he Mr Gray also took aim wanted to discuss those at The Nassau Guardian, ideas with investors and I which first published the gave that permission.” proposal on Tuesday. He The proposal projects a insisted that the newspa$2.1 billion injection into per was linked to an op-
Companies
position candidate, and charged that he would not be a “scapegoat for their mission.” “This narrative as it relates to the Chinese is led by politics,” he said, “and if the Free National Movement, including The Nassau Guardian, wants to be honest, this Chinese involvement in our country came at the hands of (former Prime Minister) Hubert Ingraham.” Mr Gray underscored that it was the previous FNM administration that negotiated for Chinese workers in the Baha Mar deal and gave the Chinese licenses for the rerouting of the airport corridor, and to construct a dock in Abaco. “The FNM did all of that and you ain’t hear a crack. Now the Progressive Liberal Party can’t talk to them (Chinese investors). “The Hilton was up for sale. The owners of the Hilton sold it to (the highest bidder), that was a private property, that had nothing to do with the government. “Now the word Chinese has become so dirty.” On air yesterday, Mr Gray maintained that any investment in agriculture would be considered with a view to complement efforts to stimulate local, Bahamian-owned production at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in North Andros. “At the moment the government of the Bahamas collectively imports almost $900 million,” he said. “We grow about ten per cent of what we eat.
18 ZIKA VIRUS CASES NOW REPORTED
HEALTH officials have seen an increase in the Zika virus, with 18 cases now reported. The Ministry of Health, on its website, advised that as of October 28, there were 18 confirmed cases of Zika on New Providence. As of October 3, there were 17 cases. “All cases sought medical attention after having symptoms suggestive of Zika virus infection,” the ministry noted. “All patients have been treated for associated symptoms and are doing well. Based on the histories received from the cases
it has been determined that there is a mix of travel associated and local transmission. “The Ministry of Health is intensely monitoring the situation with an active surveillance programme within the Department of Public Health, and in partnership with the Department of Environmental Health is continuing its intense vector control and mosquito management.” In October, Chief Medical Officer Dr Glen Beneby said since the passage of Hurricane Matthew, he was of the opinion that the number of
persons reporting mosquito bites was less than before. Dr Beneby attributed this to the storm’s “high winds,” which he surmised might have caused the adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes - the virus’ vector - to either “take flight or be blown out of the area.” The Ministry of Health said anyone who thinks they or a family member has a Zika infection should visit their doctor. For further information, contact the National Disease Surveillance Unit at 502-4776, 502-4790, 3763809 or 376-4705.
We are a long way from being able to feed ourselves, so if there is a proposal to invest in agriculture or agri-businesses, the policy of the Bahamas for the last 50 years allows for that.”
Friday, 4th November 2016
"Protection from the moment you start your engine is very possible with 'Castrol Magnatec'. Available at fine auto parts stores and here at Bay Street Garage. Ask for it!"
“QUOTE OF THE DAY” Distributed By
BAY STREET GARAGE Dowdeswell Street
322-2434 • 322-2082
#274 Condominium Property Manager WANTED An exclusive high-end condominium property is seeking a mature energetic and dedicated property manager to be responsible for all aspect of the association daily management functions. Overall responsibilities will be, but not limited to establishing & maintaining annual budgets, coordinate staff daily duties and functions, supervise & coordinate on-site projects, maintenance & construction. Have a keen understanding of landscaping and maintenance of garden is an asset. Possess effective verbal and written skills to communicate with Board of Directors and Homeowners on a regular basis, similarly, provide regularly written reports to the Board of Directors and be prepared to attend Board of Directors meetings. Establishing & maintaining interpersonal relationship with excellent command abilities with co-workers and the community at large consistently. Performing day-to-day administrative tasks, organizing, planning, and prioritizing activities for best practice. Monitoring daily, maintenance, housekeeping, grounds and other staff and associate activities throughout property. Qualified interested applicants should send their resume to: condomanager@gmail.com condomanager2016@gmail.com