Appointment of Sebastian Bastian to Cabinet: “I Think He’s the Right Man for the Job”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Last Saturday, Sebastian Bastian and Leslia Miller-Brice were sworn into the Davis administration’s 29-member cabinet.

Miller-Brice now takes up a ministerial role after previously serving as the Bahamas high commissioner to CARICOM and head of the independent secretariat.

During the Davis administration’s previous term, questions surrounding her husband – Leander Brice’s involvement in the gaming industry prevented her from receiving a ministerial post.

However, her husband has since resigned and relinquished all shares and affiliations linked to the business.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Island Luck Founder Sebastian Bastian as Minister of Innovation and National Development has dominated conversation both on and offline.

Social media users quickly voicing their concerns, with some questioning whether the appointment conflicts with the country’s Gaming Act, following Bastian’s recent resignation from the industry.

One user wrote that, “They do not respect the law or constitution, they badly ignore it and it started when Perry went against the results of the referendum.”

Another comment reads, “I understand the importance of bringing innovation and fresh leadership into government, and that new appointments can be positive for national development.”

“However, if there are clear provisions in the Gaming Act regarding eligibility, those rules need to be respected or formally addressed through the proper legislative process.”

However, others say once all ties were severed, they see no issue with the appointment.

Resident –

“I could see if they still linked to the Gaming Board or whatever, but they showed [they relinquished] all of that, and stuff like that. So I don’t feel no way about it.”

Resident –

“I’m not no party person, but from what I see, he is look out and keep good on development and stuff like that. I think he is the right man for the job.”

Others say his financial success means he enters politics without personal gain as a motivation.

Resident –

“Who, Sebas Bastian? We need him. He got money. He don’t need the country money. He could help the country.”

Then for some, the appointment is about more than business, they say Bastian’s community involvement speaks for itself.

Resident –

“It’s a good appointment, firstly. And then, I think it flows from his involvement in the community, doing things for persons that we or the country may not have known.”

“All the way back from Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, a lot of work he’s been doing. And now he’s getting in the area of administration, where he now is a part of the roundtable.”