PM accused of 'waffling' on BTC

Wed, Jul 31st 2013, 09:19 AM

Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash yesterday accused Prime Minister Perry Christie of "waffling" and hiding information about the government's negotiations with Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) to regain the majority shares in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).

Cash said Christie appeared to be "in denial" over the fate of his administration's plan to take control of BTC.

"He continues in his dogged determination to convince the Bahamian people that the BTC two percent buy-back gig is not up," Cash said in a statement.

"A right-thinking observer is forced to conclude that the prime minister is either delusional or intentionally insulting the intelligence of his Bahamian people."

Cash referenced an article in The Tribune, published on Monday, which reported that CWC CEO Tony Rice is not anticipating an extension to BTC's monopoly and that the company is readying itself for competition next year.

On Monday, Christie said he read Rice's comments in the press. He also said that negotiations with CWC were complete, but he was awaiting a final response from the company on the matter.

"How is it that Mr. Rice is able to state almost unequivocally that no extension is to be gotten and he expects competition, when the prime minister and minister of finance is trying to tell us that he is still waiting for an answer?" Cash asked. ". . .

The PM's waffling comments demonstrate that he has been caught once again hiding information in order to avoid embarrassment. He can take comfort that most keen observers already knew that this is exactly how this song and dance would end."

Christie confirmed on Monday that talks with CWC have ended.

"The negotiations, insofar as there have been negotiations, are completed in the sense that I saw in the papers today where they are indicating that [CWC CEO Tony] Rice said that liberalization will take place in accordance with the agreement, that is at the end of March," Christie said.

"I had indicated that under consideration was a proposition for extension and people were speculating as to whether I was negotiating.

"All of these are matters that we worked ourselves through, and I think we are in a position where he is quite right in saying that."

Christie previously said that he was considering extending the date for liberalization of the telecommunications sector in exchange for majority share ownership in BTC, something the Free National Movement (FNM) heavily criticized him on. CWC purchased 51 percent of BTC in 2011.

At the time, Christie, then opposition leader, warned the company that should the Progressive Liberal Party be returned to government, it would change the deal.

This was one of the PLP's campaign promises ahead of the 2012 general election. Bernard Evans, president of the Bahamas Communication and Public Officers Union, yesterday said his union supports liberalization of the cellular market, but wants local entities to buy into the industry.

"Our view of privatization was that we thought it would be better if we had local competition as opposed to foreign entities to set up shop," Evans said.

"That was our bone of contention. So we're not opposed to liberalization or competition. We believe that competition or liberalization should take place between local companies setting up and competing and providing the new technology."

Evans said he is "overjoyed" that CWC will not get an extension on the cellular monopoly.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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