National

PM: We Have to Restore Confidence in Immigration Process

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The prime minister says confidence needs to be restored in the immigration processes following recent matters, adding that he too is concerned.

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2023

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Philip Davis breaking his silence on the frenzy surrounding the immigration minister. The Prime Minister admitting confidence needs to be restored in the immigration processes following this matter, adding that he too is concerned. Meantime the FNM and COI are hitting out at the government response or lack thereof.

Amid the firestorm surrounding Immigration Minister Keith Bell, Prime Minister Philip Davis is breaking his silence on the matter.

Davis says he’s reviewing a recent statement from the Department of Immigration on related matters to see what needs to be done.

The Ministry of Immigration and Labour released this statement seeking to clarify the matter. It reveals, that Bell was in Miami and not Switzerland when he spoke to a dying man who asked him to swear his family in as citizens.

The statement also says the Chinese nationals who were apprehended at the British Colonial Hotel and subsequently released following a call from bell were in the country legally, adding the employers were in the process of applying for their work permits.

It’s a complete contradiction to this report from Immigration Director Keturah Ferguson which stated the department had no idea who the remaining individuals were or how they got into the country.

But Coalition of Independents Leader Lincoln Bain isn’t buying it.

Last week, Bell said he would address the matter in Parliament today, but that didn’t happen and this statement was issued instead.

Meanwhile, Pintard doesn’t think the statement came from the ministry at all.