bahamaswaterandsewage

The political arena in the Bahamas was hit with unpredictable events that sent the public reeling.

Here are five top political events that were surprising:

1. Social Services Minister Obediah Wilchcombe died

Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Obediah Wilchcombe died unexpectedly after complications with a heart condition. The MP for West End and Bimini was discovered unresponsive in his home.

His casket, draped in the Bahamian flag was flown from Grand Bahama to New Providence where a state funeral was held before he was flown to Grand Bahama for burial.

Wilchcombe’s death triggered a by-election in West Grand Bahama and Bimini.

Since he was the leader of government business in the House, Wayne Munroe now fills the role.

2. PLP Kingsley Smith won the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat in a by-election

Kingsley Smith, the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate for West Grand Bahama and Bimini in the by-election triggered by the death of OB Wilchcombe, won the seat comfortably after a fight with FNM candidate Ricardo Grant.

The win was expected since the constituency has consistently voted for the PLP; the governing party has a pattern of retaining sweats in by-elections; and voter turnouts are usually lower in by-elections than a general election.

The FNM with Grant led a strong campaign backed by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, but it was not enough to win the seat.

3. Sylvanus Petty resigned as WSC Executive Chairman

Prime Minister Philip Davis requested that North Eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty resign from his role as executive chairman of the Water and Sewage Corporation following an admission in court that he gave his daughter a $26,000 contract with the corporation. The conflict of interest was revealed while under cross-examination in an alleged corruption case involving former chairman Adrian Gibson. Petty said he did not frown on nepotism since “everyone in the Bahamas was family.”

4. Kirk Cornish charged with sexual assault

Member of Parliament for North Abaco Kirk Cornish was charged with sexual assault and death threats against a former girlfriend, following months of investigation by authorities. He has denied the claims but prosecution said it found sufficient evidence to charge the 48-year-old politician.

He resigned as Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

5. Immigration Minister Keith Bell issued citizenship at a funeral; it was labeled improper

In an “unorthodox” move, Immigration Minister Keith Bell conferred citizenship to a woman and her two children at their relative’s funeral prompting a call for his resignation.

The audio recording went viral as Bell swore in the three people during a funeral at the Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene but Bell defended his actions stating that he was fulfilling the wishes of the deceased man whose wife was also born in Haiti, and whose two children were born in the Bahamas.

As the public cries grew louder, Bell was removed as Minister of Immigration and positioned as Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal.

6. The House of Assembly was suddenly prorogued

The House of Assembly was prorogued unexpectedly on a Saturday, on the advice of Prime Minister Philip Davis, wiping clean the agenda with a new one beginning October 4. Many speculated that the government was attempting to refresh its agenda and shuffle the Cabinet after spurious claims against some of its members. Opposition Leader Michael Pintard believed it was an attempt by the government to evade the “undeniable truth” that it has failed the Bahamian people.

A new session of the House was opened with a newly appointed Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt who read the Speech from the Throne.

Family and friends are trying to come to grips with the unfortunate demise of 42-year-old Tony Scriven whose body was found crushed under a portable water storage tank on Sweetings Cay, on Sunday.

In her reflection of the beloved Water and Sewage manager who operated in Abaco, Aunt Pynki Scriven lamented, “The pain you may not see. But, oh my Lord, a knife could not cut me as deep.”

Scriven was managing the desalination plant on the island when tanks sitting on an elevated concrete platform, fell on him. In a graphic image, his body is shown pressed under the weight of the tank, and his face is buried in the earth beneath him.

Bahamas Water and Sewage Corporation soon issued a statement acknowledging the tragic accident and reported having visited the site along with Scriven’s father, Tony Sr.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn his loss,” stating that staff, the police and emergency services came to his aid quickly when the incident occurred.

Tony Sr, a lawyer by profession, has not publicly commented on the accident but only posted childhood pictures of his son along with his twin brother, to his social media page. Other pictures show the father praying with WSC workers after he visited the site of the accident.

The Water and Sewage Management Union said Scriven was killed in the prime of his life.

“It is hard to accept the death of one so dear to us…We were saddened to learn of Tony’s sudden and tragic passing in the line of duty…The grief and pain seem so unbearable.”

Just days before the tragedy, while speaking to ZNS Northern Service, Scriven Jr excitedly pointed at the tanks, emphasizing the purpose of the tanks’ installation which he said were installed to build storage capacity for the distribution network.

On Monday, the corporation closed its Abaco branch to “recognize the impact he had on us all.”

North Eleuthera MP and chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) Sylvanus Petty posted, “Rest in peace colleague.”

Scriven leaves behind a wife and three children.

Featured Image: Tony Scriven Jr is shown with his wife and children.