by Adrian Gibson
First published in The Tribune column, Young Man's View on Friday, September 29, 2006.
THERE is something awfully fishy about Minister of Immigration Shane Gibson’s breakneck speed and favouritism in fast-tracking the permanent residency status of celebrity tabloid fixture Anna Nicole Smith.
While I’ve got no problem with Ms Smith’s presence in the Bahamas, the sequence of events concerning her securing permanent residency status within three weeks leaves one with many questions.
It is rather perplexing that Minister Gibson, now in his capacity as Immigration Minister, could find the time to frequently visit Ms Smith at her home and even during her time at Doctors Hospital, where she recently gave birth to a baby girl-Dannie Lynn (named in honour of her son Daniel after his tragic sudden death).
However, where was Mr Gibson after the hurricanes of 2004 that destroyed people’s property in Long Island and other southern islands? While Mr Gibson can cozy up to Anna Nicole, these Family Island residents have waited for two years for a single visit and have suffered from his neglect with little to no relief.
Shane Gibson has always emitted an air of pomposity, but his brazen proclamation that he would have fast-tracked his “friend’s” application even more, within a day if he could, demonstrates his seeming mesmerism with celebrity and a conduct that appears to be unbecoming of a Cabinet minister.
With the special treatment afforded to Anna Nicole, why are so many Bahamian taxpayers — who elected Mr Gibson and pay his salary — treated unfairly, callously turned around and hassled by his ministry? In this instance, it appears that just as George Orwell’s satire Animal Farm acknowledged, some people are more equal than others!
Earlier this week, the FNM claimed that the $10,000 cheque for Ms Smith’s permanent residency was not given to the “appropriate officers” at the Immigration Department, but rather given to Mr Gibson himself.
In response, Mr Gibson emphasised that there “was and is nothing illegal, immoral or unethical about the matter.” He went on to state that the funds had been “properly secured and accounted for” and that the cheque was deposited into the Public Treasury last Friday.
However, Mr Gibson’s retort to the FNM still doesn’t answer the burning question about who was the recipient of the cheque. Further, it would be fascinating to know the setting by which this so-called friendship with Anna Nicole originated and when? And, how long did Anna have permanent residency, since her cheque was just deposited last week? Indeed, that must have been one of the slowest moving cheques in history.
It is imperative that Prime Minister Christie provide the voting public with the details concerning Ms Smith’s residency application. What are the dates of the application, its consideration and approval, the rationale behind the approval, and to whom was the cheque delivered and where?
It is observable that there are several government representatives that see the Bahamian populace as a horde of unthinking ignoramuses. For example, last week Mr Gibson claimed that the speed with which Ms Smith was granted permanent residency was merely representative of generally improved levels of efficiency in the Department of Immigration, implemented under the guidance of himself.
Mr Gibson, of what efficiency do you speak? And, does this mean that immigration matters are handled more accommodatingly and efficiently if you are a special, “high-end” friend?
Mr Gibson went even further in the September 26, 2006, edition of The Tribune where he said: “Opponents of this government have insisted on complaining about what they say is the slow pace of bureaucracy, yet when efficiencies are demonstrated together with due process, they continue to complain.”
Come again! Mr Gibson, ‘why you gern treat we like fools’? What due process could possibly be given when you admitted that you would have granted Ms Smith her residency permit in 24 hours had it been possible? Mr Gibson, how do you explain this to the long list of applicants still waiting for work permits, permanent residency, spousal permits and citizenship?
In my estimation, this is beyond hypocrisy and it appears that due process is only given to those who are not as good a friend as Ms Smith!
And why is it that when government politicians get in hot water, they defer the blame to the opposition? It appears that everyone has the gall to boast and take credit for anything that would garner votes, but when things go wrong, they all have ‘blame it on the rain syndrome’.
It is shocking and inexcusable that Mr Christie would claim that Mr Gibson was suffering because “he is demonstrating a level of efficiency in government that would cause people to question him.”
What a bunch of baloney! Don’t patronise me, Mr Christie. It is about time that if there is any misconduct it results in a few firing exercises. And, no sir, in this democracy, if I don’t like it, I will not lump it!
Are we again going to become a nation for sale, not so much for drugs this time, but to “high-end” customers in pursuit of permanent residency, visas and work permits?
And, Mr Gibson, since I am a taxpayer, I look forward to the same superior treatment as Ms Smith and maybe even a hospital visit if and when the time comes!
