Premier in Jamaica according to media reports
(CNS): Update – Although there has been no official release from the premier’s office, the Jamaican government's information service (JIS) has said that the premier of the Cayman Islands, McKeeva Bush, is currently in Jamaica on the last of a two-day "study tour". Bush and his team, who are guests of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, are specifically looking at the Jamaican government's procurement systems, inclusive of policies, procedures and legislations, which they have cited as "by far the most modern and comprehensive within the region." Accompanying Bush are Deputy Governor Donovan Ebanks, Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson, Deputy Governor (Designate) Franz Manderson and Senior Political Assistant Richard Parchment. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
The Cayman delegation will meet with a team from the Economic Management Division and the Debt Management Branch (DMB) of the Ministry. Additionally, they will observe the operations of other procurement entities, such as the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) and the National Contracts Commission (NCC).
They met with Financial Secretary Dr Wesley Hughes yesterday morning (November 28) for specific discussions on his role in the ministry, as the Cayman Islands transitioned, constitutionally, to having a financial secretary two years ago.
During their visit, Bush will pay courtesy calls on Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Finance and Planning Audley Shaw.
Although the premier’s press office periodically puts out information about the premier’s travels, the Cayman public persistently discovers the whereabouts of their leader through international media reports.
Read commentary: The NWA and the JDIP by Ken Chaplin
Category: Politics
Why are you guys so paranoid that he is scheming for independence? The only way it could happen is if it passed a referendum with a 2/3 majority … which isent going to happen anytime soon according to the polls I have seen where roughly 65% of Caymanians are opposed to independence.
The Cayman Islands will remain a British Overseas Territory as long as the CAYMAN ISLANDERS themselves wish to remain British. This is straight from the speeches of Henry Bellingham the Overseas Territories Minister for the British government. What McKeeva Bush wants has no bearing on this issue, he is just a loony hothead.
"McKeeva Bush, is currently in Jamaica on the last of a two-day "study tour". Bush and his team, who are guests of the Ministry of Finance and Planning, are specifically looking at the Jamaican government's procurement systems, inclusive of policies, procedures and legislations, which they have cited as "by far the most modern and comprehensive within the region."
followed by article on Jamaican Minister resigns due to irregularities in procurement process
preceding an article on McKeeva's refusal to step aside while under investigation for financial irregularities in a real estate deal where Brian Wight has given a formal police statement that he [Wight] was the broker on the deal and McKeeva nor Windsor had no apparent involvement in the transaction.
preceding an article on Mckeeva's personal lawyer being paid from public funds (just below the tender requirement)
preceding an article on UDP unanimously voting against 1man:1 vote and continually supporting McKeeva
as Caymanians still sit quietly by.
check this out…..people are leaving Jamaica for a better life because of corrupt politicians, poverty and devastation.
This man named McKeeva Bush is seeking counsel from Jamaican Politicians that are frowned on globally. Is he getting counsel for Independence for us. It won’t work.
Something is seriously wrong with this man’s brains……people are running from Jamaica and this man is running TO Jamaica. Sick, Sick, Sick.
Yes the world is putting distance between Jamaica and all things Jamaican and this man is attaching himself to this stench.
This alone is enough grounds to call for his resignation he is a disgrace.
Don't worry, he's learning from the Chinese too. Only problem is he can't speak or read or write or understand Chinese. No problem man.
It is indeed a sad day when the leaders of the Cayman Islands have to go to Jamaica to seek their advice in regards to procurement policies and systems. What works for and in Jamaica might not be ideal for the Cayman Islands, the only similarities between both islands is the geographic location in any other respect it's like comparing chalk to cheese. The again maybe the Premier is trying to mold these islands into the image of Jamaica in the aftermath of what is to come, this is just speculation. Remember mother is watching and the USA is listening and we are between a rock and a hard place.
What purpose does Richard Parchment serves? Is he on the Government payroll or is he on the Premier's payroll? If he is on the Government's payroll, XXXX uh hmmmmm!
Can we wrap a Security Centre issued anklet braclet on this man?Then and maybe then we'll be able to keep up with his movement!
He is probably trying to geta copy of the "comprehensive business analysis" for the Falmouth cruise port which he can edit and send to Bellingham first thing Monday morning.
Its not that he wants to go to Jamaica, Its more like he just wants to get away from Cayman as aften as possible.
Mac u just bring me back some J'can patties and we can call a truce.
Never happen! He'd eat them all on the way home.
Maybe that is the REAL reason he went there.
Please stop spreading propagada pon the Primier. The Preimer was at Corner shop last night buying a small fry chicken. Unno too vicious, im caan bee two place at the same time.
I don't know what all the fuss is about. We all know that Jamaica is known for its high level of governance and freedom from corruption. Why else would our Premier want to emulate them?
HA HA HA!!! See CNS news headlines today, "Jamaican minister resigns over procurement scandal". Mr. Auditor General, the Cayman public deserves to know exactly how much Mac's 'schooling' is costing us.
What’s the relevance to the topic of the blogs posted?
History shows that before independence Singapore which is one of the most successful countries in the world went to Jamaica to examine their systems, as they were really advanced even then!
And how many years ago was that again?
Looks like we'll soon have a financial expert after all. Unfortunately he probably won't be worth much when converted to CI$.
Does the Premier's full time and highly paid press secretary do any work?
If he also acts as his travel agent then he is probably working overtime.
Look mate, didn’t we tell you to cut up Mac’s credit card and stop letting him piss away money the Cayman Islands don’t have?
You just wait – 3 years, 11 months and 2.5 weeks from now we’ll be back to check your finances, and if your books aren’t in order we’re going to fly Mac back to London for a good stern talking to. Mark our words. We know how to run a proper government financially, and we’re watching. Mark our words.
He's looking for advice from the Jamaican government???????? No offense, I'm not saying Jamaica isn't an amazingly beautiful island with friendly people, but their political system is so corrupt, the general population poor and struggling (why do you think Jamaican workers come over here for minimum paid jobs, I don't see too many Caymanians emigrating to Kingston) ……… Is this seriously what we want to model Cayman after? I'm not denying that Cayman may perhaps be headed for a similar future, but why give it a Ferrari engine in that direction??!!! GOOD HOLY!!! Hellooo!
If anyone seriously votes him back to power (I have never voted for him, and based on his track record I certainly will not be voting for him anytime soon), please see a shrink. Insanity is the only non-guilty verdict allowed should any voter tick, circle or write his name on that polling sheet.
This sound like Mr. Bush is looking for Independance for these three lil Islands.
We got so many jackasses in these Islands
Are you referring to the UDP?
WA YU THINK? !
Maybe he could negotiate with CHEC to try to reduce the 25% margin they are getting on profit and overheads in Jamaica.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=33533
Maybe he could bring back some of the nice furniture he thinks that he deserves as Premier.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=33542
Of course he just thinks that is another good reason not to have a PAC.
Lookin' a likkle somewhere to seek political asylum perhaps?
Is this April's Fool Day? Is this a poor joke? The same country that is marred by the NWA / JDIP scandals in relation to how the CHEC contracts are awarded there? That is the country they are currently visiting and touring to see how they manage their procurement policies and legislation? The same country that, whoever is in power at the time, routinely gives contracts to its party supporters or companies that seem to benefit those in power the most, rather than benefit the country as a whole? If this weren't so serious, it would be seriously funny.
You appear to have hit your head on a stone long ago. You all are missing the picture. Corrupt or not corrupt, the underlying factor is that the man wants to emulate the way a financial sector should regulate.
It’s like saying 2+2=4. But some politicitians ensure that 2+2=6. Mac is not interested in knowing how the politicians got 6. He wants to know if 2+2=4 works best for Caribbean countries.
You Caymanians have this hatred for Jamaica. Why? Is it that you all fear us intellectually? Everything we put our hands on turn into gold.
As it was stated back in history 1 from 10 leaves Zero. NO Caribbean country and I mean NO Caribbean country can do without Jamaica. CHECK DAT.
No one is suggesting that we can do without Jamaica or Jamaican workers. However, there are some aspects of Jamaica that we do not want to copy or follow, just as in Jamaica there are some aspects of Cayman that Jamaicans would not want to copy or follow.
You appear to have hit your head on a stone long ago. You must be talking Jam dollars because where I went to school 1 from 10 leaves 9. You could obviously use some good old Cayman schooling, and we hope Mac does learn from his trip that 2+2=4, although it doesn't seem likely.
Fa sep ma cheeeeesum peters.. Dis maaan is craseh or whaaat??
They are doing their best to make sure there is nothing left in the government coffers for the next government that is elected.
And then they'll point at the new government and blame them for losing the money the UDP wasted.
wishful thinking
Yep, just another way to blame a different government for everything that goes wrong and to cover up that they have done NOTHING to further this country or its people in 2 1/2 years.
Oh Dear!
Another round of galavanting..
This time we are blowing the last of our money, trying to learn how to spend our money.
I would think that those in this group are well qualified to do this by now!
Travelling again? Don't come back please. We don't need you anymore.
At least they are gettig themselves edumacated.
At the end of the day, Mac will soon be more edumacated than the 13 year old he started out as. We hope.
It might also do the Premier and his yahoos some good to take a few minutes to read the Cayman Islands laws and policies regarding government procurement. They don't seem to have a clue.
They choose to pretend to not have a clue XXXX. All they have to do is follow CTC regulations, if they did that, the system would work and it is very clear. Just another excuse to pi$$ away our money. FOI request on amounts spent at hotels etc… please?
Bet I know which bit this study tour is concentrating on-Appletons Estate!
Jamaica's procurement system ???
Riddled with political corruption and party cronyism…not to mention political donmanship in the garrison and ghetto communities when major government contracts are on table where only party members and supporters get any of the contracted work.
Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the JLP's ruling don in Tivoli now in prison in the USA and Jamaica's erstwhile Prime Minister, Bruce Golding having to resign on account of….
Political and government construction contracts ties to Dudus and the Coke family ?
Yes, McKeeva Bush is truly in the right place to study from the best in the business all right.
Does McKeeva Bush have a political agenda to take Cayman from under Britain and back into a political relationship with Jamaica ?
From where I'm standing, its certainly beginning to look that way.
Since they are so keen on learning from Jamaica's example, why not do this – follow Bruce Golding's example and do the honourable thing – step down, allow someone else to run the country until the police investigations are completed, and do it for the image of the country, if for no other reason. In any civilized nation, this would have been done already, or been demanded already. But it seems Governor continues to sleep.
It is interesting what we can learn from our neighbors whether it be a good thing or bad thing. We can never stop learning.