The backside rape of the Bahamian people begins today! BTC SOLD! Today in a communication to the official handover CWC CEO issued this letter to the press.
Dear Colleagues,
Today we begin a new partnership.
As you may know, earlier today Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) and the Government closed the deal for the sale of 51% of BTC to CWC. This means that CWC now has management control of BTC.
On behalf of all of us at CWC, welcome to the CWC family. This is a fresh start for all of us. It’s time to put our energies into the job of preparing BTC for competition.
I am sure that the past few months have been difficult for you. We’re going to work hard to remove some of the uncertainty for you, provide factual, timely information and ensure that you have every opportunity to help shape the BTC journey.
As stipulated in CWC’s agreement with the Government, we have appointed a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Geoff Houston is BTC’s new CEO with effect from today. Geoff has worked in the telecom industry for 24 years, 19 of those with CWC. He served as CEO in the Seychelles, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, and most recently Jamaica. He developed the Guernsey business from a government-owned monopoly to one of the top three performing businesses in CWC’s global portfolio.
Kirk Griffin will be staying on in an advisory role to Geoff and the Board during the transition period. In his 36 years at BTC, Kirk has built a reputation of honesty, integrity and accountability. He has done much to be proud about and I am sure that delivering privatization for BTC – a process that began some fourteen years ago – will rank very high on his list. We are fortunate and thankful to have him on our team.
Also, David Kelham will be appointed as CFO – Designate. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has held positions as Financial Director or CFO in major UK PLC organisations for nearly 20 years.
Next week, a joint CWC/BTC team will travel across the business to meet with staff and answer some of your burning questions. This is an important part of getting to know each other and starting our relationship right. I look forward to meeting many of you next week.
Once again, welcome to CWC and to the start of BTC’s journey as it prepares for competition.
David Shaw
CEO
LIME Caribbean
Contrary to reports by BTC employees that Cable and Wireless has nothing to offer to the Bahamian people,they will be rolling out their first product soon. Its called VSEP.
YES VSEP [VE SPENDIN EVERY POUND]. Roll out my ***.
BP
VOLUNTARY SEPARATION PACKAGE
Mr. David Shaw: Can you please answer this simple question for me? Will we be charged for local calls? Every time this question comes up someone chimes up that, land lines will soon become obsolete and that every household will be using only cell-phones. In the great U.S of A, land lines are still being used. Sometime ago there was a warning, that continuous use of the cell-phone was not good for ones health. Since with LIME, the regular lines may be a thing of the past Mr. Shaw, can you assure us of the studies that you may have done to confirm otherwise?
I saw the caption in Wednesday’s Bahama Journal captioned: “CWC takes over BTC”, but can anyone confirm if we are in receipt of the $210 million dollars negotiated. The photograph showed the CWC executives signing new paperwork, however, what if they were just signing a new Management Contract?
I also heard talk of funds in Escrow, what does that mean? Did the funds transfer to the Bahamas Government, or is this more of the same smoke and mirrors tactic by the FNM government?
I raise tthe question because it is doubtful that shrewd and cagey players like CWC would download their money after the Port Authority threat and the PLP promise to negate all their shady agreements made with the present government.
On the subject of LYING, well we know from recent events that ingRum has no shame in that regard and has been declaring BTC sold since January!
SHOW ME THE MONEY, ingRUM!
FNM DON’T GIVE A S*** ABOUT BAHAMIANS POINT BLINK. ALL OF THEM US PHONE COMPANY LIKE T-MOBLE AND THE REST. THEY GIVE IT TO THE ENGLISH A** THE PIT BULL SELL BTC. DOWN GRADE THE STRAW MAKET. F*** THE ROADS UP. PUT THE PORT 5 BLOCK FROM WHERE IT WAS. DIG UP EXUMA SEA PARK. WHAT LEFT FOR HIM TO DO? SCREW US UP THE REAR.
I Guess the lines at Social Services will get even longer soon….
Seems like we are on the road to DOLLAR DEVALUATION – BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT and NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO RUN THE COUNTRY.
AND WE JUST SOLD OUR GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG.
NOW WE DOWN TO TAXING TIPS that people make. WOW..
BTC is not the golden goose as everyone is crying BTC was subsidized by the government also since its creation. did it every pay back the money loaned by the government and NIB for decades, NO!!!!!!!
Without competition of course it made a profit. Everyone is decrying this false profit of 12million, what about our billion dollar industry that no one is talking about? Tourism, how many bahamians are interested in purchasing a hotel, what about the Unions answer none. I have found my people love to complain but seldom take the lead. they would rather be the employee rather than the employer… 14 years and unions never sent a proposal to purchase? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
Well what was 100% BAHAMIAN now gone 49% Bahamian and 51% FORIGN….WOW and WHITE at the TOP of course…
MONEY GONE OUT OF THE COUNTRY and JOBS LOST.
@bahamianrealist
I HAVE NOTHING “MIXED UP”. THE NEW MAJORITY OWNERS (C&W) HAVE THE DARN PACKAGES ON THE TABLE N-O-W AND IS “EXPECTING” TAKERS (OR ELSE). I KNOW SOMEONE AT THE TOP (I MEAN “TIP-TOP” AS WE SAY LOCALLY) AND “STREAMLINING” AND “REDUNDANCIES” ARE ALREADY SCHEDULED (ALL THEY NEED ARE TO SEE THE SALARIES TO ENSURE THAT THE END RESULT REDUCES PAY PACKAGES SUFFICIENTLY)- ITS’ NOT ABOUT GOOD OR BAD JOB PERFORMANCE RIGHT NOW, JUST TARGETING HIGH INCOME EARNERS TOWARDS REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS PAID AS SALARY PER MONTH, THEN GOING AFTER THE “SLACKERS” IN THE NEXT ROUND. RIGHT AFTER THEY “ROLL OUT” 4G SERVICES, THEY WILL ROLL OUT A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES. THE PLAN IS TO USE THE MOMENT OF PUBLIC DISTRACTION BROUGHT ON BY “ENJOYMENT OF THE NEW TOYS” TO MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFECT.
THE TECHNICAL DIVISION WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY EMPLOYEES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND “CERTAIN” HIGHLY EDUCATED AND TRAINED EMPLOYEES WILL BE PUT IN THE ROTATION, SO THAT A FEW, I SAID FEW, BAHAMAINS WILL BE SENT ELSEWHERE THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN TO ASSIST WITH PROJECTS AND VICE VERSA. THE BAHAMIANS WILL BE PARADED BEFORE THE MEDIA TO EXTRACT POSITIVE PUBLICITY (ALL TOWARDS SELLING THE IDEA THAT THIS BTC SALE WAS GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY OVERALL – AND TO HELP REDEEM THE FNM), BUT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF BTC WORKERS WILL BE MARGINALIZED AND REPLACED IN AUTHORITY (THE COST OF SALARIES IN JAMAICA IS SO MUCH LOWER AND THE ACADEMIC PREPARATION OF EMPLOYEES IN JAMAICA IS BETTER PER CAPITA). THINK ABOUT FIRST CARIBBEAN BANK TO HELP YOU TO DIGEST WHAT I AM STATING. BY THE WAY, WHEN YOU CALL BTC/LIME TO HAVE YOUR PHONE LINE CHECKED AT YOUR HOME/BUSINESS THEY WILL APPLY A SERVICE CHARGE TO YOUR ACCOUNT (JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW).
ANSWER THE SUBSTANTIAL POINT OF WHAT I PRESENTED, BEING IS IT IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST TO ALLOW C&W TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS – OFFER THE PACKAGES (WHICH IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 10% STAFF REDUCTION FOR EVERY 1 YEAR OF EXCLUSIVE CELLULAR SERVICE RIGHTS) – AND MAINTAIN THE FULL 3 YEARS OF THE EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BURN BOTH ENDS OF THE PROVERBIAL CANDLE. HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT CAN YOU MAKE SENSE OF THE RATIONALE BEHIND NOT REDUCING THE EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD SO THAT IT “MIRRORS” THE EXTENT TO WHICH C&W HAS REDUCED STAFF (I EXPLAINED THIS THOROUGHLY UNDER POINT NUMER 2 IN MY FIRST POST).
WE (BAHAMIANS) NEED TO GET WITH IT. THERE IS A GROWING MENTALITY WHICH LOOKS FOR EXCUSES TO “EXPLAIN AWAY” THE NONSENSE THAT IS IMPOSED UPON OUR SOCIETY AS PROPER GOVERNANCE BECAUSE LOVE OF COUNTRY FOLLOWS LOVE OF PARTY OR POLITICAL PERSONALITY. FORTUNATELY, THERE IS A REMANANT WHO DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THAT FOOLISHNESS.
@Storm
You are correct Storm as it was reported in the newspaper that the acting Gen Man Kirk Griffin has not been confirmed but will instead be given the post of ADVISOR.It is so disgusting when FNM agents come on this site and miss the boat completely but instead brag about trivial things.The phrase used by Perry Christie during the last Gen Elects “no turning back” is so applicable today.
Well done Bahamians and Bahamas!
While the rest of the WORLD is oritecting its own you are giving it away.
PLEASE vote FNM simply because you have not quite understood what Sir Lynden have been telling you maybe once you have experienced it you will never ever never want it again
While OBama and world leaders are assuming control of banks and key industries, we are selling. THAt’s What happens when you place a SELLOUT in OFFICE!
BP
I despise Ingraham for this..Joey and Whpa are the kind of Uncle Tom butt-kissers that surround Ingraham. They are comfortable to see white foreigners on top of us Bahamians. It reaffirms that their world is right side up. Boy we are waiting for them this election. They have no idea what is laying in wait for them and their kind this election.
They are disloyal to this country. No wonder they can hold their noses and support a US spy…a traitor no less.
tell me what is the present rate for calls per minute
and whats the new rates are??
Now lets get on with bringing the Bahamas into first world status.Good job Prime minister you get things done.You’re simply the best,better than all the rest.
“bringing the Bahamas into first world status..” That would be the job of the collective, the government and people who formerly owned it. It’s no longer a thing of national pride, where people could beat their chests and talk *** about “bringing the Bahamas into first world status” (What does the phone company have to do with that?) We sold it,you jackass, and the owners only need to please their stockholders and bolster their profit margin. Why would they give a fuck about “bringing the Bahamas into first world status”?
You are such an ***….
Papa Chuckles and his cabinet colleagues have been quietly laying the foundation to legalize the numbers racket if they are reelected. Well I got news for you all, the people will have their own lottery come the general elections and they might surprise all you’ll that your out of office number just came up?
@ Whap
can you answer two matters while you celebrate this sale closure:
(1) Does C&W retain the 3 years exclusivity over cellular phone services untampered even if they proceed to downsize. Remember,”Papa” said he gave this extension to C&W SO THAT THE DESIRE OF THE NEW OWNERS TO REDUCE STAFF BY 30% COULD BE SHELVED IN THE SHORT TERM.
While you’re at question number one above, how about telling us if it is appropriate for C&W, after having received this extension of exclusivity for the expressed reason of not disengaging employees in the short term, TO IMMEDIATELY OFFER VOLUNTARY DISENGAGEMENT PACKAGES. T os some of us that seems to undermine the very purpose behind the extension (we could be the dimmer bulbs in the room tough – LOL).
(2) If C&W proceeds with “firings” disguised as disengagement packages exercises, shouldn’t the “smart” FNM cabinet have demanded a reduction in the time of the exclusivity period accordingly. Meaning, for every 10% of employees released (their goal is reducing the staff by 30% overall) they automatically lose 1 year off the exclusivity period. How does that sit with you “Whap”?
I hear the Management Union President Mr. Carroll say the first meeting was a good start and a second meeting is slated for this week. Question is; WHY is it Cable & Wireless could not identify a Bahamian as its CEO? Why could not a Bahamian be appointed as the CFO?
The FOREIGN NATIONAL MOVEMENT HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN BAHAMIANS! Now we hear 300 set to get fire soon. WHAT A DISGRACE!
THE FNM sold BTC and 22 members including dat JACKASS NAMED KENYETTA GIBSON SOLD OUT THE BIRTHRIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BAHAMAS! THEY HAVE NO DAMN SHAME!
BP
LIME is here praise GOD! we soon gon get cheap minutes n 3G n 4G n iphone n crackberry!
@ Storm, You have your facts mixed up. The exclusivity period of three years on cellular was granted to CWC to avoid a mandatory 30% workforce reduction through direct firings/redundancies.
The voluntary workforce reduction is the compromise agreed by CWC and the government early in the negotiations. Within 12 months after takeover, BTC/CWC will offer voluntary disengagement packages to staff which will result in the 30% staff reduction needed to streamline BTC to prepare it for other players to enter the cellular market in three short years.
This major blunder by Papa Chuckles is Saturday Night Live material at its best. The prime minister of everything has no one to lay blame but him. Mirror mirror on the I is the one need firing.
BP, dont worry about this. A Commission of Inquiry will deal with this outrage and all of the other foolishness that went on with this lousy government in the last couple years.
hope they bring bluewater in it too
BlueWater? What Bluewater? Cable and Wireless gat the keys to BTC, NOT BLUE WATER. And the people need to see just how they got the damn keys. All the 3% finders fees and who got pays in selling the state asset back to Briton!
BP
Welcome Lime, hope yinna stay be as monkey tamarind to yinna backside,enjoying while in the interim.
In the words of William Shakespeare,”NOW IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR SORROW.”MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON OUR WALLETS,PURSES AND BTC EMPLOYEES!!!
Congrats Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham for doing what is best for our nation! We look forward to great things as a result of completion of this transactions! Simply the best!!!! This Administration gets things done like no other!!! Bam! Bam! Bam!
@Whpa
Boy i hope you don’t be the first one to complain when thing don’t go as plan and please remember when it hits the fan to praise HAI instead of blaming PGC remember who sign the deal Ingrahm Not Christie because i could see your’ll when PLP win blaming Mr.Christie of things going bad
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