|
NATIONAL BROADCAST
BY
THE RT. HON. PERRY G. CHRISTIE PC, MP
PRIME MINISTER
OF
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
FEBRUARY 18th, 2007
MY FELLOW BAHAMIANS
:
I have today accepted the
resignation of Mr. Shane Gibson from my Cabinet. I have done so
with profound sadness and with the very deepest of regret. I have
lost one of my ablest ministers.
Mr. Gibson’s accomplishments as the
Minister responsible for housing are already legendary. It is a
matter of public record that in a little more than three years,
Shane caused more low-cost houses to be built in The Bahamas than in
the entire two terms of the FNM Government. His dynamism,
organizational prowess, and sense of urgency in getting the job done
were evident throughout his stewardship of my Government’s housing
programme.
Shane’s simultaneous handling of the
ministerial portfolio for National Insurance was also a shining
example of competence and dedication.
More recently, as Minister of
Immigration, Shane Gibson’s tough, no-nonsense approach led to
remarkable success in the interdiction and repatriation of illegal
immigrants.
So, too, Shane’s distinguished
career as a trade unionist, and his fair and balanced approach to
dispute-resolution, served him well as a Minister of Labour who
commanded the respect and admiration of employers and workers alike.
Against such a backdrop of stellar
achievement, it will be understood why Shane’s resignation
represents an occasion of deep regret for me. Indeed, to lose such
a competent and capable individual from the cabinet is a loss for
the entire country.
The loss for me is made even more
painful by the fact that Shane, in addition to being a valued
political colleague, is also a true and genuine friend.
But however sad Shane’s decision to
resign may be, I also believe - as does he - that it is the correct
course of action for him to take in all the circumstances. For that
I applaud him, as indeed we all should.
Permit me to say to Shane’s wife,
Jackie, their children, and to Shane’s parents how personally sorry
I am over what they have been put though by some elements of the
media and certain thoughtless and insensitive politicians who seem
to think that a man’s wife and parents are fair game in politics.
I believe that I should also say how
ironic it is that when substantiated allegations of serious
impropriety were made against no fewer than three ministers in his
own cabinet, the same man who now professes to be so concerned over
Shane Gibson did absolutely nothing about it. Nor, for that matter,
did any of the three ministers concerned. Instead, they all
arrogantly carried on as if nothing had happened.
Now that Shane Gibson has resigned,
however, these same gentlemen would do well to recall what they
themselves did not do when they found themselves in circumstances
that cried out even more loudly for them to do the right thing.
Be that as it may, they - and all
others for whose heads the cap may fit - should be assured of one
thing : there will be no more tolerance of any hypocrisy,
double-standards, or deception from anyone. Truth will out. And
then the Bahamian electorate can be the judges of us all.
I shall be elaborating upon this
theme at the PLP Rally scheduled for this coming Tuesday at Pinewood
Park.
In the meantime, the important
business of the Government must continue without unnecessary
distraction. As a consequence of Mr. Gibson’s resignation, I shall
be announcing certain ministerial adjustments tomorrow. It is vital
that this be done so that the Government’s policies and programmes
for Immigration, Labour & Training can continue to be implemented
without interruption, and with all the resoluteness, efficiency and
sense of urgency that Shane brought so superbly to the job.
MY FELLOW BAHAMIANS:
There is still much work to be
done. We were elected to serve. We intend therefore to press on
with our agenda for action, an agenda that has already brought about
the biggest economic expansion and the highest level of prosperity
and empowerment this country has ever known.
Yes, there is much more to be done.
And do it we shall, with your continued confidence and support.
Thank you and good night.
|
