Good signs seen in Grand Bahama
For close to 50 years, Grand Bahama had been a strong pulse that enhanced the growth of this nation.
During the early 1960s, natives of other islands (including that where Nassau, the capital sits, New Providence) were attracted to the refreshing environment of Grand Bahama. They came in great numbers. Throughout the decade of the 1960s and 1970s, the inflow of people continued.
Smarter use of resources
Every so often commentators on the local economy offer suggestions on how this country could place itself on the path to sustainable development. More often than not, those suggestions invariably involve some reference to diversification of the economy beyond the twin pillars of tourism and financial services, and the simultaneous expansion of the agro-industrial sector together with increase emphasis on the promotion of light manufacturing industries. That call for a new direction of the economy has not gone unheeded over the years. Indeed, successive governments have actually embraced the concept in principle and have responded by creating institutions and directing resources to that effort. In the early 1970s, two separate state institutions were established for the expressed purpose of assisting in the country's diversification effort. The Bahamas Agricultural Corporation was intended to assist local farmers by providing technical assistance, small farm loans, seeds, and packing houses for the storage and distribution of their agricultural products. The Bahamas Industrial Corporation in a similar manner was to provide assistance to the local light manufacturing industries inclusive of providing factory sites on industrial parks. Buildings, equipment and raw materials were accessed by way of concessionary loans advanced from the then newly established Bahamas Development Bank.
The effort, no matter how well-intended, could not be regarded as a success in any way, shape or means. The combined contribution of agriculture, fisheries and light industries to gross domestic product (GDP) shrank from a little over 10 percent in the 1970s to a little over seven percent today, some 30-plus years later. Indeed, the same or a similar playbook of economic development for underdeveloped economies in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean yielded similar disappointing results. In essence, that model for development directed national resources into areas (light-manufacturing, food processing, and low-value assembly) where the developed economies were well established, having gained efficiencies and cost-effectiveness after many years of operation. There is a desperate need in developing countries in general and in The Bahamas in particular to utilize the scarce resources more efficiently; to work them smarter rather than harder, so that the yield could be more beneficial to the country. And where possible, to identify resources that may be peculiar to the country and at the same time, in demand by the rest of the world.
Lawbreakers should be fearful
The high level of violent crime in this country in recent years has led many Bahamians to feel unsafe in their homes.
Honest, hardworking people are moving hastily from car to front door at nights, hoping to avoid the numerous robbers that operate - especially in New Providence.
Increase in robberies a cause for concern
This week the Royal Bahamas Police Force reported a sharp increase in robberies and housebreaking.
It was an obvious trend last year - which also saw a record 87 murders - and shows little sign of slowing, especially in this tough economic climate.
Immigration policy must remain tough
The Haiti earthquake has led to millions, and soon to be billions, of dollars being sent to Hispaniola to help ease the suffering of its people.
Bahamians have been generous. At last week's telethon, $250,000 was raised for Haiti relief. Banks, large and small companies and people from across the country have given much more.
Perry Christie's leadership style
When a young Lynden Oscar Pindling returned from London in 1953, having been called to the English Bar in February of that year and later to become a member of The Bahamas Bar, he quickly got into the mix as a significant player on the political landscape.
He joined the Progressive Liberal Party as legal advisor and subsequently was elected treasurer. In short order, relatively speaking, he surged ahead of stalwarts like Henry Milton Taylor and Cyril St. John Stevenson.
Customer service... a thing of the past?
Customer service, customer service, customer service! It seems as though we have been hearing those words since birth, and in most instances it appears as though we've not gotten it right as yet.
In spite of all the training, consultations, practical and theoretical exercises, we are still left to ponder if customer service is a thing of the past. We believe that if we think about it as a lifestyle or a fashionable trend, maybe we would get it right... but because we are of the mindset that if an individual doesn't tip or spend enough money, or maybe it's the "you scratch my back, I scratch your back syndrome" – that some of us refuse to demonstrate the slightest bit of civility when serving a customer.
Rebuilding Haiti,a long-term effort
T he devastation and death left in the wake of the massive earthquake in Haiti is something that most people cannot comprehend.
An estimated 200,000 have been killed. Hundreds of thousands are homeless and the capital Port-au-Prince has been practically destroyed.
The significance of the Elizabeth by-election
Both Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham have been in frontline politics for more than 30 years. In the normal working world some people retire after this point. Yet in Bahamian politics some seem to think leaders have a divine right to linger.
The Elizabeth by-election is a critical test for both men in their respective careers.
Interesting scenario to Bahamian politics
There is an interesting scenario in today's Bahamian politics. The leaders of the two major political parties, the governing Free National Movement and the official Opposition Progressive Liberal Party, have set themselves up as demigods within their respective ranks.
On the one hand it appeared that Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham pushed his weight around during the most recent FNM convention, creating a most uncomfortable and some might say intimidating situation for some election hopefuls.
Re-igniting the relationship between the police and the media
When now Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames left Grand Bahama, it ended a relationship between the police and the media that had become critical to the Grand Bahamian public.
Yes, different people may have different views on Dames and other police chiefs, but there was no denying that Dames was a public relations man. He knew and understood the power of the media and used it to his advantage.
Hotel union should conduct an audit
L ionel Morley, Grand Bahama-based second vice president of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU), said in an article published in The Freeport News on Thursday that some members of the union are calling for an audit before new elections are held as ordered by the Court of Appeal.
"The election and its process were flawed," Morley said, referring to two previous BHCAWU elections that were held but subsequently declared null and void. "There were people left off of the register during the last election and it is important for us to get it right this time."
No better time than now
Is it sheer stubbornness or is there a good reason why government has not seen the wisdom during these tough economic times of giving the go-ahead to two ventures that most certainly could have a positive impact on The Bahamas' economy?
There surely is no better time than now, when all indications are that the economy of The Bahamas will remain in poor health for an indeterminate period of time, for the government to give final approval to one of the companies seeking permission to build an LNG pipeline between The Bahamas and Florida. Likewise, there is no sensible reason why the government still insists on allowing imaginary concerns about a backlash from a group of religious leaders to stop it from introducing a legal lottery in the country.
Leader of losing party should go
Both Opposition Leader Perry Christie and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham have been in front-line politics for more than 30 years. In the normal working world people retire after this point. Yet in Bahamian politics we seem to think leaders have a divine right to linger.
The Elizabeth by-election is a critical test for both men as they enter the final act of their respective careers.
A woefully bad decision
T he decision by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and the Free National Movement (FNM) government to release illegal Haitian migrants being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre and grant them temporary residential status was not a good decision. In fact, it was a woefully bad decision.
Every Bahamian most certainly sympathizes with the Haitian people who have been the victim of the earthquake that devastated that nation last week and have been horrified by the television broadcasts showing dead bodies lying in the streets and the massive scale of the destruction wrought by that natural disaster.
Christian Council elections
Whoever is elected President of the Grand Bahama Christian Council (GBCC) when elections are held on Tuesday, January 19, should establish as a top priority convincing more churches to become members of the council. There are an estimated 170 churches in Grand Bahama, but according to the outgoing President Bishop Sobig Kemp, when he became president, the council had a membership of 50 churches and he lists as one of his accomplishments increasing the membership to 65.
This means that the new president has a major task ahead of him if the council is to truly be representative of the Grand Bahama Christian community. A good start would be the advice offered by Bishop Kemp when he said that he hopes the churches and pastors "will become more unified and seek to recognize that the council is the official voice of the church as recognized by the authorities."
The new Big Brother?
The lead page of the Caribbean News section of The Freeport News on Saturday, carried an in-depth story with a St. Lucia dateline on communist China's activities in the Caribbean under the headline "China in the Caribbean: The new Big Brother." It reported extensively on the visit of Wu Banggou, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), to The Bahamas in September of 2009, noting that it "quickly became clear that he was not on vacation."
"As China's top legislator and the highest ranking member of the Chinese Government to ever visit The Bahamas, Chairman Wu's entourage included 150 Chinese officials and business leaders," the article noted. "The delegation signed a series of critical economic deals, including an agreement for mutual protection of Chinese and Bahamian investors, a multimillion-dollar loan to help build a highway to Nassau's international airport, and additional support for a major cricket stadium."
A preview of what's to come
Although the by-election expected to take place in the Elizabeth constituency will do so in Nassau, Grand Bahamians should still pay attention to what is going on during the process leading up to that by-election and to the election process itself.
Sure, Elizabeth is far removed from Grand Bahama, but the truth is, what each political party has to say may hold more meaning to Grand Bahamians come general election time than anyone can imagine. |
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