A government senator who has recently hurled scathing criticisms at the Grand Bahama Port Authority is hitting out at Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe for defending the company.
Senator Phillip Galanis said he was “puzzled” and “surprised” at comments attributed to Mr Wilchcombe in defence of the Port Authority.
The group has come under heavy fire from several quarters after three upper-level Bahamian executives left the company.
“I am very puzzled by the remarks attributed to Mr Wilchcombe,” said Senator Galanis in a press statement. “First of all, he compares the Grand Bahama Port Authority to Sol Kerzner. As far as I am aware, Mr Kerzner is not empowered by any agreement with government to grant licences for businesses to operate on Paradise Island or New Providence as the GBPA is in Freeport. Comparing these two investments is patently like comparing apples and oranges.”
While speaking to Rotarians in Freeport on Friday, Mr Wilchcombe reportedly responded to comments made about the Port Authority, warning Bahamians about the message they were sending investors in Grand Bahama.
The Minister of Tourism was quoted as saying: “Do I tell Sol Kerzner tomorrow who should be his general manager? Should I tell others who should be leading their organisatsions or should I prepare Bahamians to be ready for when the opportunity presents itself and then be able to present an authoritative argument that Bahamians are prepared.”
As a panelist at last week’s town meeting on the GBPA, Mr Galanis questioned the fitness of the port’s new chairman, Hannes Babak, given the German-born businessman’s varied commercial interest on Freeport.
At the town meeting, Mr Galanis also called on the government to place more controls on the port.
“I remember where I had a conversation with Edward St George and I said, ‘why don’t we have any Grand Bahamians on the board in the Port Authority, why can’t Grand Bahamians play a role there,” Mr Wilchcombe was quoted as saying. “He asked me to name one and it created a problem for me, to tell you the truth.
“I wondered about that. And that is why when you hear the cry today about investors who bring in their managers, whether it is Sol Kerzner or Bobby Ginn, the reality is are we ready? Have we prepared?”
Mr Galanis said it was “puzzling” that Mr Wilchcombe found it difficult to think of any Grand Bahamians who could do a “stellar job” at the Port Authority.
“There are many business and professional people who are adequately qualified,” he said.
Explaining why former Executive Vice-President Barry Malcolm and former Deputy Chairman Willie Moss had left the Port Authority, Chief Executive Officer Sir Albert Miller said the company had become “top heavy.” He said former Chairman Julian Francis and the company’s shareholders had different philosophies.
By: RAYMOND KONGWA, The Nassau Guardian
