Bradley Roberts, former cabinet minister in the last PLP regime lives up to that adage that old politicians never die they just become more hypocritical.
There is an unfortunate situation with a land deal here on New Providence island whereby the government gave a developer approval in principle to proceed with a subdivision, but have not provided the formal approval.
It has been reported that based on the approval in principle the developer proceeded and sold off some of the lots.
Apparently some people have built houses and now cannot get electricity hook ups etc because the government has not given final approval to the developers as a result of them not finalising some of the terms demanded with the approval in principle.
This all took place between 2002 and the present time.
Now for the hypocrisy.
Reports are that Dion Foulkes, the current Minister of Labour was the lawyer that researched the title for the purchasers of some of the property. He reportedly represented the same people that are now seeking redress because the developer cannot get his approval in principle confirmed by the government.
Mr. Roberts indicated to the press that he knew this development was a non-starter from the beginning.
Funny. While Mr. Roberts served as the Minister of Works in the Cabinet of the PLP we could not hear from him on the demerits of this development. And now that he and his former colleagues are the Official Opposition, he is all over the press.
So as the former Minister of Works, where approvals for a subdivision is granted, why did he not prevent the developer from selling the land in the first place?
Could it be because Dion Foulkes, a political nemesis and his FNM Cabinet Colleagues are now in the hot seat over this development that he and his colleagues did not deal with?
Oh, I'm sure that Foulkes et all are not above similar posturing if the shoe was on the other foot... but it does get tiresome coming from 'leaders' of the country.
In the story as 'reported' by the PLP Mr. Roberts expresses his desire to help people even if his PLP colleagues were supposedly in the wrong.
I wonder why he was silent through so many of the controversies surrounding his party when they were the government the last five years?
Not only that, if the Government's approval in principle did not authorise the sale of property etc, why were they allowed to sell the land?
It's like the Montague Ramp. Issues are ignored until they inconvenience everyone. And in this case, people could be out of pocket of substantial sums of money.
If the governing authority only granted approval in principle, should they not have been checking to make sure their requirements were fulfilled?
Hypocrisy abounds for the sake of politics.
Here's the PLP 'report':
Home Owner Says Foulkes Complaint Not Political
Published: Thursday November 22nd, 2007
Home owner Shaaron Davis, one of the victims in the ethics scandal involving FNM Minister Dion Foulkes and former Senator Desmond Edwards took time out to speak with reporters on the claim that his complaint and the complaint of 9 other families was politically motivated.
Mr. Davis' only concern is that justice is served and that he and his fellow complainants be given what was promised or their money back.
You may see the full clip of Mr. Davis' remarks followed by Bradley Roberts who also blasted critics citing that his involvement has nothing to do with politics but instead he is lending his time and energy to a just cause.
Mr. Roberts pointed out that there were a number of the victims who are supporters of the FNM and for his part, it was never a consideration of his what the politics of the victims was.
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