Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Exuma, the Exuma Cays, and Ragged
Island, Chester Cooper, is once again under fire from the very people he was elected to serve.
The recent termination of thirty workers from the Norman’s Cay development has sparked
renewed frustration across Exuma, where residents are grappling with what feels like a troubling
pattern of job losses, government silence, and political neglect. These latest layoffs, confirmed
by Labour Director Howard Thompson, come on the heels of two other major economic
disruptions: the temporary closure of Sandals Emerald Bay that left over 500 workers in limbo,
and the collapse of Silver Airways operations in Exuma.
“For many, this is no longer just about a few lost jobs. It’s about a growing sense that their MP is
more invested in building his national profile than in protecting the people who put him in office.
As a proud daughter of Exuma, I cannot stay silent any longer while families in our community
face economic hardship and abandonment by the very person elected to represent us.”
“Hardworking employees have just lost their jobs at the Norman’s Cay development. That’s
thirty families now without an income, without answers, and without a word of acknowledgment
from our Member of Parliament, Chester Cooper. These layoffs are not an isolated incident.
They follow the temporary closure of Sandals Emerald Bay last year, another devastating blow
that affected more than 500 employees, and the collapse of Silver Airways operations here in
Exuma.”
“When Silver Airways employees were locked out of their systems and raised red flags, Chester
Cooper was informed. He was warned. He knew what was coming. And yet, he said nothing. He
did nothing. Instead, Nassau Flight Services was quietly brought in to take over ground
operations, pushing out local staff who had served this island for years without a single safeguard
or explanation.”
“People begged him to act. They called, they emailed, they reached out. Still, he chose inaction.
That choice has had real consequences for real people.”
“At a time when Exuma is struggling, our MP is busy chasing national headlines, offering
commentary on issues in Grand Bahama and elsewhere.”
“We deserve answers. Why has he failed to speak publicly about these layoffs? Why was there
no effort to save the jobs of workers in Exuma and throughout The Bahamas when Silver
Airways employees raised concerns? And why were jobs handed to Nassau Flight Services
without transparency or accountability? We also have questions about the Attorney General’s
possible affiliations with the developers of Norman’s Cay.”
“Exuma has seen three major employment disruptions in just 12 months. Enough is enough. We
are tired of being ignored. We are tired of watching jobs vanish while our MP disappears. We
don’t need someone who is rehearsing talking points for a bigger political stage. We need
someone grounded in this community, willing to fight for every job, every opportunity, and
every family.”
“The people of Exuma deserve better. And it’s time we demand it.”
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