Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins last night questioned Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s ability to lead restoration efforts following Hurricane Matthew without political bias.
To help cover the cost of relief efforts related to catastrophic hurricanes Matthew and Joaquin, the government yesterday brought a resolution to Parliament to borrow up to $150 million.
Prime Minister Perry Christie last week named Gibson, the MP for Golden Gates, coordinator of hurricane relief efforts at the government level.
While in the House of Assembly yesterday, Rollins implied that Gibson, who is also the coordinator of the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) upcoming convention, was too politicized to handle relief efforts.
“I know the dynamics of the campaign and the pressures placed on candidates,” Rollins said.
“… Now if you ask us to approve $150 million a few short months before a general election and you have the person responsible for the overall allocation of these resources being … a political animal, and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way, in the person of the member for Golden Gates; you expect me to believe the $150 million that the government has control over is not going to be used to give them an advantage in their various political influences?
“I don’t believe that Bahamians believe there is not going to be a significant amount of political influence in the allocation of these resources.
“The deputy leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) Peter Turnquest has made an extremely important point
“The man responsible for the PLP convention, Bahamians, PLP, FNM or DNA (Democratic National Alliance), will have to go to him if they need repairs.
“Mr. Prime Minister, clearly this is not thought through.”
Rollins said a person with no clearly identifiable political persuasion should be responsible for hurricane relief efforts or the distribution of funds and supplies instead of Gibson.
“He (Gibson) is a politician and he thinks like a politician,” Rollins said.
“If you believe he will not focus his energies on helping those who would help the party, I believe you are misguided and naïve.”
Gibson responded by saying he does not understand why Rollins or anyone would question his ability to do his job correctly.
“Next year will make 15 years since I was elected a member of Parliament,” Gibson said.
“In almost 10 years serving as a Cabinet minister, I’ve never had anyone from any constituency ever say to me, ‘You are not assisting me because of my political party.’
“Never. Absolutely never.
“As a matter of a fact, Golden Gates is an FNM city.
“... I have never before, until now, heard anyone say that I would be biased toward any other political party supporter when executing my job.
“As a labor minister, FNMs and non-FNMs call me for assistance. I don’t understand this. Where is this coming from?”
Jayme C. Pinder, Guardian Staff Reporter
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