<<< Hubert ‘MUGABE’ Ingraham. Photo by the Nassau Guardian.
Letter To The Editor
Dear Editor,
We write to articulate the views of virtually thousands of citizens and residents in Grand Bahama over the expanding dominance of Hutchison Whampoa in the Grand Bahama community. Their track record is abysmally poor in such vital interests as the Airport Company, the Harbour Company, the Development Company and Our Lucaya.
We are acutely aware of their neo-Colonial management style and their record of repression by the parent company and their firm desire to transfer such repression here.
We are informed that it is their declared intention to acquire full ownership of The Grand Bahama Port Authority Group of Companies, so that they can inextricably entrench themselves in Grand Bahama Island with a view to amass enormous profits from the blood and sweat of our countrymen, while lowering wages and benefits and generally retarding the socioeconomic advancement of Bahamian employees.
The record of The Grand Bahama Port Authority is not without blemish. In fact, a great deal of adverse criticism has been directed toward that organization over the fifty four years of its existence. However, no one can deny that on balance its virtue far outweighs its vices and without its presence undoubtedly, Grand Bahama would still be a back water town.
Indeed, we take this opportunity to thank and commend Sir Jack Hayward and Mr. Edward St. George (God bless hi s soul) for their excellent efforts in improving the welfare of Grand Bahama and making Freeport the Magic City is proudly continues to be.
Then came Hutchison Whampoa and things changed radically and on the negative side. Sir Jack and Mr. St. George were approachable. They had an open-door policy, sympathetic to all and sundry. In their quiet unassuming way never failed in doing the best they could for this island. In fact, they together with Bahamian Executives Sir Albert Miller and Albert Gray performed admirably in this town and brought joy to the hearts of thousands.
No one can deny that Hutchison Whampoa’s investments contributed in no small measure to the further development of Freeport, especially in the area of job creation. Some would say that they brought more pain than comfort. We do not say that, but we are not at all impressed with their modus operandi. Of late, it has become increasingly important to question the role that Hutchison has played in the stagnation of Grand Bahama’s economy. Was this the master plan all along? Hutchison has made Container Port workers casual labourers and union-busted. They have not properly marketed the major hotel on the island, Our Lucaya, and have not given any serious consideration to other investors. So we ask the question, is it an attempt to collapse the economy and then ride in on white horses to pick of the pieces?
Unfortunately, the Port Authority unwittingly made some strategic boo-boos when it relinquished control of vital interests such as the Airport, Harbour, the Development Company and Grand Bahama Power Company to Asian enterprises. These companies operate with rigid policies of long hours, minimum pay scales and hardly any fringe benefits in their home base, and they obviously want to do the same thing here. T hey believe in hoarding and reinvesting as little as possible.
A clear example of this is Hutchison’s behavior in the Grand Bahama Development Company of which they own fifty percent, but since this acquisition, they have done very little in development, and have put the price of property and the subsequent service charges out of range for the average Bahamian. We ask what they are doing with the land.
Then there is the fifty percent ownership of the Harbour Company in which they control with an iron hand. In fact, we are informed that they have seized every opportunity to fire, intimidate, or otherwise ostracize Bahamian employees.
Then there is their fifty percent obstructionist ownership in the Airport Company. In fifteen years, they have only facilitated one development and this was forced because of the destruction of the old terminal in a hurricane. One is forced to ask why costs to the public are the highest in the hemisphere. Why won’t they lower the costs to make the facility more competitive and thereby make the Grand Bahama destination more attractive? [ BP’s Free Anniversary phonecard PIN: 5897 5004 0331 ]
About fifteen years ago the Sea Air Business Centre was introduced, and since that time there has been one business operating, without much success.
Finally, there is Our Lucaya which we readily admit is somewhat of a white elephant. Everyone knows that this company was highly reluctant in making this investment and only did it as a spin-off of its major investment, the Container Port. The company pays little attention to it and could care less if it fails that is why it hardly does anything to advertise or otherwise promote this fine hotel.
Hutchison is an arm of the communist Chinese propaganda machine, no less than the Chinese efforts universally promote its agenda and expand its socio-economic tentacles world-wide.
All one has to do it to examine the construction of the Sports Complex in New Providence to see how the Chinese think. In short, they know it all and do not trust people like Bahamians.
Since China is more on the world stage, its stooges, such as Hutchison, need to get certain things through their heads:
You cannot arbitrarily just pur chase The Grand Bahama Port Authority. Bahamians will not allow this. We are tired of monopolistic controls.
Your track record is abysmally poor. You have not supported Bahamian development in any meaningful way. This is glowingly evident in your poor record of contributions to cultural affairs.
You have done little or nothing toward touristic development in this country. It seems that your venture in Our Lucaya is just a camouflage for your real motive, which is to eventually control the economy of Freeport and Grand Bahama, and perhaps the entire Bahamas if you can get away with it!
Then there is the departure of key Bahamian personnel like Raymond Jones who obviously saw the hard hand of blockage from your corporate bosses.
We, the proud successors of a proud Bahamian legacy say “enough is enough Hutchison Whampoa.” You have already abused us enough. We are not going to stand by idly and let you exert your control over our island. You will never be allowed to acquire any further interest in The Grand Bahama Port Authority. Trust us, it will never happen! If you want to exert your influence then go elsewhere. For example, back from whence you have come! Not here to Grand Bahama! Not ever!
And finally, to the Government of The Bahamas which includes the Loyal Opposition, if you allow a travesty like this to happen, you should hold your weak heads down in shame, and figure out how this will be explained to future generations of Bahamians!
Signed
A PROUD BAHAMIAN
Check ya history books Red Blooded, watch the History channel, go online, there is a lot of info out there, “seek and ye shall find” I’m serious look it up.@red blooded
@Awakened
Where did you read that?
LOL!
@commonsense
You are right. i must admit, i was between sleep and wake when i wrote that post.
They only enslaved their own people, I guess that’s no big deal.@commonsense
Thomas Finley that was a good one, your funny ma’boy.@Thomas Finley
BTW, these are not Mainland Chinese…these are Capitalists from Hong Kong..
We need help developing this country..the yanks broke, and the Brits never had us to study…how the Chinese anthem go again?
@commonsense <
TIME LONGER THAN ROPE…..
This dialogue is democracy at its best. This will change when the Chinese come in. They don’t like it when their own citizens voice their opinions. I think it’s about 1.3 billion people in the country!!!!!! The Bahamian people need to know what their government is committing them to and speak to whether they believe its a good deal. Money is not everything and extortion is extortion no matter how you look at it. Persuading people to give up their inheritance for money with minimum benefits seems like entrapment to me. Only thing is, who will be held accountable for selling out the country when history is written?
Wow, the comments all over the place on this one!!
Pindling et al profited greatly and personally from the unique relationship with the Goddy of his children. In fact,he was also Goddy to Edward St. Georges Kids.
St. george corrupted the Political Establishment, the Judiciary, and created a 50% ownership in the Port Authorities assets for himself from nothing.
Ingraham has perpetuated the sham, but in a different direction, by running roughshod all over the Hawksbill Creek agreement, just like his predessors, and to this day is just as ignorant about its premise and potential for the Bahamas
None of them understand it, but they all want to destroy it if they cannot manipulate or control it.
By the way, the Bahamas has a long track record of voting with whomever bought it last.
Check the records.
They sell us off cheap.
@ talk sense so following your logic a person is a criminal because they represent alleged criminals at court even though thats their profession to advocate in matters before the cout?????ah i see what happen you get confuse you think every one guilty until proven innocent you also appear to believe that the courts only entertain criminals….. well lets think about this sensibly and look at the facts an individual was represented in a matter before the court he was unsuccessful he had an attorney….the criminal went to jail and the attorney continues his practice what secrets can come out of professional agreement what scandal . ah i see you want see the bill of cost.hmm your logic even gat me confused remember when lost in the seas of confusion just Be Brave political pun intended
@Examiner
Also if BP puts so much truth to power, why does he have a picture of North Korea’s president in a story about China? He is either racist( all Asian people are the same) or just ignorant.
@Examiner
Peoples Republic of China is not trying to stop Taiwan from getting a seat, it is preventing Taiwan from calling itself the Republic of China, which by the way has been abandoned by Taiwan. It was a communist revolution and Taiwan broke away.Its kind of like the British loyalist in our country.
@Talk Sense
Talk Sense, as a senior contributor to this site, who would you wish for BP to attack and talk about?. BP Speaks truth to power, whether it is Curly, Larry or Moe. I too endorse Brave, Dr. Minnis, Bannister and part company with BP on the rest of those jokers he support. If he wont attack them, I will when necessary.
Now, if I am ever locked up, I would want the best representation, further, in the Bahamas, one is innocent until proven guilty. I hope you believe in that. In this Country, one is required to have an Attorney to represent them. I hope you believe in that also. Kendal Isaacs represented Joe Ledher, The Bostwicks represented Alvarez and some other real bad goons. This did not stop them.
@WOW!
WOW ain you know all dem look alike!!! LMAO!!!!!
The stadium was for a change in diplomatic relations, removing Taiwan and installing China. That del was cut by Janet Bostwick some years back. These new forays are occurring around the world to reestablish China as the real superpower. While the US is wasting tim on two unwinnable wars, China is flexing its economic muscle.
Altec, China has a seat on the Permenant Council of the Security Council, they want to prevent Tiawan from becoming a member.
@WOW!
They are one and the same. Red like the FNM.
@LIZARD
I am sorry you are racist. Just think of when you try to give a baby ice cream for the first time, they don want it but after they finally eat it most eat for the rest of their life. Try something or at least try to get educated in it before you knock it. PLEASE STOP CUTTING OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE
@Forrester J Carroll J.P
Mr Forrester you should be ashamed of your self, perpetuating this ignorance. Go read a book and may be you might learn something about China and whats going on in the world.
@Altec
First of all China has had a seat at the UN since 1971, get your facts right. Taiwan is formally known as the Republic of China, but many years ago there was a civil war in China, and those entities that ruled China were exiled to the island of Taiwan and it is them that were petitioning the UN, The Peoples Republic of China is what is recognized at the UN,they also sit on the UN security council. China is the worlds most sound economic force. I did not anybody say anything when Lieman Brothers came here, notice what happened to that company and Grand Bahama. Yall got to get over this racist crap, because the China man never slaved no one.
THIS LETTER IS RIGHT ON TARGET. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF WHAT I SAID IN MY LETTER TO THE EDITOR WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FREEPORT NEWS ON SATURDAY PAST ABOUT CHINESE INVESTORS AND INVESTMENTS. THEY BENEFIT NO ONE BUT THE CHINESE AND WE ARE DOING FREEPORT AND GRAND BAHAMA AND, INDEED THE BAHAMAS A GRAVE DISSERVICE BY ALLOWING SO MUCH OF CHINESE MONEY TO BE INVESTED IN THE BAHAMAS. I SEE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET A FOOT HOLD IN ABACO UNDER THE GUISE OF A MAJOR FARMING PROJECT. THIS IS BAD NEWS AND YOU KNOW WHAT? INGRAHAM IS SO DESPERATE HE WILL LET THEM DO IT AND WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET RID OF THEM. IN MY LETTER PUBLISHED IN THE FREEPORT NEWS ON SATURDAY, A COPY OF WHICH I SENT TO BP, I CALLED FOR INGRAHAM TO TABLE ANY PLANS HE MIGHT HAVE FOR ALLOWING HUTCHISON WHAMPOA TO BUY THE SHARES IN THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY AND GO BACK AND COAX THE FLEMINGS TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE. I AM TOLD INGRAHAM DIDN’T LIKE THE FLEMINGS BUT THAT HE FAVOURED HUTCHISON; I WONDER WHAT’S IN THE FINE PRINT?
BP, y’all funny now. How y’all could have a story running on about the Chinese but post a picture of Kim Jong, the leader of NORTH KOREA!
The Chinese are looking for a seat in the UN. In order to do that they have to win over as many countries that are apart of the UN as possible as these member countries will vote and therefore hold China’s fate.
The Chinese are not just investing in the Bahamas, they are throwing money at Jamaica, the African countries, especially the oil producing ones like Nigeria, they are putting money in the Middle East, and they are putting billions in Russia.
The Chinese are openly buying votes. They know come voting time, they are looking for the Bahamas, Jamaica and those African and Middle Eastern countries to return the favor.
Mommy always taught me there is no such thing as a free lunch. I know Ingraham had to have some other type of arrangement with those Chinese people. As usual, he only gave us half of the story. He made everything look cut and dry, like they were just giving us the monies for the stadium with no strings attached. Why can’t he be upfront with the Bahamian people and let us know what he is doing and what else he is planning on giving away? Seen that he is not willing to hear the Bahamian people feedback on anything, he could at least let us know what is going on. What I notice with him this time around, he isn’t saying anything and by time you realize what he is doing, plans are already in motion or he is already finished.
My question for the last few months was in all this getting from the chinese what are we as a country giving back to them? Because the chinese are known to be stingy people,did we give our birth right away?
They are building a well needed stadium(grateful for that),then the roads and the thing is they are bringing in their own people to do the work,don’t we have labourers who could do the work…PEOPLE I SMELL A RAT HERE…..soon it won’t be the people in the sloops that we have to worry about…….
One of the leading causes that is contributing to the escalation of a more destabalized county is persons and organizations who hide behind the disguise of nick names, who cannot decide where or what their foundation is. Partisan is key to logic. Question???? If BP contributed to the destabilization and demise of the former government and it is evidently contributing to the destabilization of this government, does BP ultimately have the stabilization of the country at heart??? Just a question.
You cannot at will with the kind of influence you have continue to fling innuendos as you please. You must see yourselves for what you are in reality, the most viewed news source in the country. Therefore are you guys even Bahamians? You microscopically find all of the problems with every government but you rarely show how we can arrive at solutions. Are you really helping the country ultimately? And, what is the connection between BP and one PHILLIP BRAVE DAVIS?? Very suspicious…. The only politician who eluded the nasty attacks from this website. Very suspicious indeed……
So what happens when Sammy “ninety” Knowles begins to spill da beans and Brave is DP…. We all over CNN again… this is what BP REALLY WANTS FOR THE COUNTRY RIGHT….. What happens when NBC investigative team discovers the many drug lord “BRAVE” represented and what happens when the real connection is revealed between ” BRAVE, CHRISTIE AND INGRAHAM” The last Law partner to have his shake at the Bahamian people.
You’ll better talk sense!!!! Can the Bahamian people really afford another orchestrated theatre from these 3 stooges. Brave/MO Christie/LARRY and Ingraham/Curly…. Talk Sense.
Can we afford these fellas to make promises to our young supposedly intelligently young lawyers like Kenred and the rest of those goons and make them though th line…. DUMMIES.
Why do we continue to allow them to fool us??? Talk Sense. Whether it’s Christis, Ingraham, or Davis in charge of the country, they make money with the “gentlemens agreement” and the Bahamian people ********!!!… talk sense.
Now Talk Sense let’s TALK SENSE, Bahamas Press OPENLY, OPENLY SIGNED our endorsement behind Philip Brave Davis! What is strange about that? Hmmmmmmm… We also support BRADLEY ROBERTS, Allyson Maynard Gibson, Fred Mitchell, Raynard Rigby, Kenrod Dorsett, Paul Moss and BJ NOTTAGE!. We hold NO BIAS WITH THESE PEOPLE! WE SUPPORT THEM TO THE HILT! How many publications could say that?
ON THE FNM SIDE we support hands down Branville McCartney, Dr. Hubert Minnis, Loretta Butler-Turner, and Desmond Bannister. With these people we tell ALL IN THE BAHAMAS, Don’t mess with them!
The time for CHANGE IS NOW! There is NO time for slick talking! Bahamians wants and needs a SERIOUS leader. One who don’t Play! Once who will bring about CHANGE!
So there is no suspicion on our support of Davis, ‘VE’ SUPPORT HIM! No suspicion here, get with it!
Bahamas Press/Editor
PS: let me look for one a them stories his people sent us and put dat up online!
Abaco people are concerned about Chinese control of over ten thousand acres of Abaco Farmland. They have not indicated what it is they plan on growing, nor how and to whom it will be marketed.
Seems to me the Chinese might have their eyes on controlling all of the Northern Bahamas. Do you think it is possible they in the future the Northern Bahamas could be a separate Country from the rest of the Bahamas?
I just had this same topic on my talk show on saturday and pleaded with the government to stop this from happening,but I have learnt that this agreement has already been signed…..
PLEASE MR.PRIME MINISTER,I AM PLEADING TO YOU ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF GRAND BAHAMA,TO STOP THIS.. PLEASE SIR,THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF GRAND BAHAMA AND CONSULTED UPON BEFORE YOU CONSIDER ANY AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO PRIVATE ENTITIES…SIR,YOU ARE OUR LEADER AND I AM ASKING YOU,AS THE PRIME MINISTER,TO LET THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE BE THE DECIDING FACTER OF WHO DESERVES THE RIGHTS OF THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY…
OUR ISLAND IS CALING ON YOU TO INTERVENE IN THIS MATTER SIR,THIS WOULD BE A SUPER MONOPOLY ON G.B. IF THE HUTCHINSON GROUP TAKES OVER THE G.B.P.A.
DON’T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN MR.P.M.
sounding like we have opened a can of worms we can’t contain.
The real problem is that we have nowhere to run because the Chinese also have major influence in the US and they are certainly not going to back us against the Chinese.
Enter the red dragon, I am all for trade but not at the price inwhuch my children will be slaves to foreigners .Let us remember christopher Columbus when they came to the islands we went out presenting gifts they came with the cross and a sword.When they left they took all the gold and rape the women and killed the men disease ramapant.Who is the watch dog the opposition is in such a shamble they can’t even tell heads or tails.The people were thrown a fictious bone marital rape haa haa haa.The chinese get away with the land in Andros as a bonus.Who are the negoiators in this country are they operating that we have nothing and they first one comes along we give them everything including the kitchen sink.Hope is still here and not all of us are sleeping we will right the wrongs and those who sold are birth right will be brought to justice for treason.
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