US Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker yesterday questioned the government’s decision to “rush forward” with a new hospital in New Providence that was financed by a loan from China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, which he said raises implications for Bahamian sovereignty.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it found Walker’s comments “unusual” and is “seeking an urgent clarification”.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy also responded.
“We believe that the Bahamian government has the sovereign right to choose its international partners based on its own national priorities, development needs, and public interests,” the spokesperson said.
“The concessional loan hospital project is jointly advanced by China and The Bahamas through friendly consultations and in accordance with the statutory procedures of both sides. Bahamas-China cooperation is not directed against any third party, and should not be interfered by any third party.”
In a statement, Walker said, “We are disappointed to see this project move forward so quickly when fundamental concerns about the terms of the deal remain unaddressed.
“I question the decision to rush forward with a deal that places the hospital financing under Chinese law and jurisdiction on Bahamian soil.
“The United States remains committed to supporting healthcare infrastructure that truly serves Bahamian interests, under terms that respect Bahamian sovereignty, adhere to international norms, and mitigate project risks for The Bahamas.
“The United States’ offer to help The Bahamas secure better financing options — whether from public or private sources — remains on the table.”
On Friday, the government broke ground on a multi-million-dollar, 200-bed hospital on New Providence Highway, the thoroughfare that runs between six-legged roundabout and Saunder’s Beach.
The new hospital will feature green spaces for holistic healing, specialized maternal and pediatric wards, emergency intensive care services, diagnostics, lab facilities, surgical suites, and infectious disease isolation units.
Last year, the government signed an agreement to borrow $195 million from the China Export-Import Bank to cover around 73 percent of the hospital’s funding.
Officials stated that the remaining 27 percent of funds will be provided by the Ministry of Finance.
Earlier this year, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville confirmed that as part of its loan agreement with China Export-Import Bank for the construction of the hospital, there is a stipulation for a 50-50 Bahamian to foreign construction worker ratio.
At the time, Walker called on the government to reconsider the deal and emphasized that the United States is prepared to assist in securing a “better deal” for the nation.
The Ministry of Foriegn Affairs said yesterday that the “record will show that there are no unresolved or unaddressed matters connected to this agreement”.
“All associated documents have been tabled in the Parliament of The Bahamas,” it said.
“We would be happy to share the record with the responsible US authorities in the appropriate forum. Before reaching a funding agreement with the government of the People’s Republic of China, the government of The Bahamas engaged the United States government on several occasions over a period of three years.
“Those efforts yielded no financing response that matched the urgency, scale, and certainty required to move this project forward. Faced with the pressing need to strengthen and modernize the public healthcare system, the government took the decision to proceed in the best interests of the Bahamian people.
“Any suggestion that the government acted with undue haste is misplaced. This project was delayed while The Bahamas awaited a response, and to accept an offer at this stage would only produce further delay, something our national interest can ill afford.
“The fact is that the equipment list will be supplied by United States vendors on the usual commercial and transparent terms. We acknowledge the renewed interest of the United States government. Even so, this matter is resolved.
“The government of The Bahamas will protect the sovereignty and national interest of our people at every stage of this project. The Bahamas is a sovereign country and is fully capable of advancing and safeguarding those interests while acting in the public interest.
“In the meantime, the public should be assured that this transaction is a straightforward and transparent commercial arrangement, free of ethnic or parochial prejudice.”
