Prime Minister Perry Christie has dismissed a suggestion from head of the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) Bernard Evans that he has been slow to act on his promise to get back a controlling interest in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) on behalf of the Bahamian people.

Asked by The Nassau Guardian to respond to Evans and the BCPOU, Christie said, "I don't know what they wanted. I don't know what their interest is, but I'm acting on behalf of the Bahamian people and I'm acting on behalf of the Bahamian people in a way that I think is the best way to do it."

 A week ago, Evans said the union is extremely disappointed that the government has yet to regain majority shares in BTC.

"We thought by now the government would have taken the two percent back," he said at a press conference at BCPOU Hall on Farrington Road.

"We have reached a point now where our people are dying, and I don't know that we can wait on the timing of the government to do what they have to do."

Christie indicated, however, that he will not be rushed on the matter.

 "I set up a team of people to negotiate on my behalf," he pointed out.

 "They have had detailed discussions with representatives. I have even spoken to the British government representative that has been involved in this, and I think Bahamians must come to understand that we're talking about trying to persuade a company that purchase 51 percent.

"Whether we like the deal or we don't like the deal, they purchased 51 percent and we're trying to get them to give up two percent. Now, if they (the union) think that I should go and nationalize it, then they are on their own because I do not propose to make such an intervention in this country.

"And therefore, I am doing it the way I know best to do it and that is through sitting in a very civil way, bearing in mind that I'm talking to people who own 51 percent.

 "I, the Bahamian people, own 49 percent. In all that I do I must protect the interest of the 49 percent because there has been a sale and I cannot cause the company to lose value by decisions that I make."

Cable and Wireless purchased 51 percent of BTC in 2011. At the time, Christie, while opposition leader, warned the company that should the Progressive Liberal Party be returned to government, it would change the deal.

The promise to regain a majority of the shares featured prominently in the lead up to the 2012 general election.

 Christie told The Guardian a final agreement will happen soon.

 "There is an understanding in principle," he said.

"It would be an agreement when it is formalized. But there is an understanding in principle. We just have to work out certain contradictions...in terms of my being able to impress upon them what must be the final touches to what we have negotiated."

He also said, "I think the position accurately described now is that I have received submissions from them. They have received submissions from me.

 "They have responded and now it is for me to give what I will consider to be a final response and I expect to do that momentarily so that we may reach a conclusion."

But he did not specify what the final agreement is likely to be. Last week, Evans claimed the morale among BTC staff is at an all-time low.

"Cable and Wireless has proven in the worst way everything that we lamented during our fight in 2010 and 2011," he said. Evans said he's hoping to meet with Christie to discuss the union's issues. He claimed the mistreatment of workers "is blatant".

 "The BCPOU calls on you sir (Christie) to bring this extended nightmare for us as workers and for the Bahamian people to an end," Evans said.

But Geoff Houston, BTC's CEO, said he was surprised by the concerns raised by the union's president.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian