Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
A REPORT on a police investigation into a series of fires that crippled infrastructure at Bahamas Power and Light’s Clifton Pier Power Plant has been completed and submitted to the government.
However, officials remain tightlipped over its findings.
BPL chairman Donovan Moxey told The Tribune yesterday the report had been turned over to Works Minister Desmond Bannister.
“(Police) have given us a report, which we have given to minister,” Mr Moxey said. “We can’t release it or say anything until the minister gives us his feedback, that’s all I can say at this time.”
Mr Bannister was tightlipped about the matter when contacted this week, telling The Tribune he could not confirm or deny whether he had received the report, or whether it had yet been presented to Cabinet.
Fire Chief Walter Evans also confirmed police investigations into the three fires have been completed, but would not provide any further details when pressed for further comment yesterday on when the report had been submitted.
The first fire broke out at the plant around 10.30pm Friday, September 7, and the second blaze erupted Sunday, September 9, shortly before 10pm.
Two more fires occurred over the course of the following week, one at the Clifton site, and the other at its Blue Hills location.
The first blaze wrought unprecedented damage to the Clifton Pier station, forcing a weeklong load shedding exercise in the capital, and an urgent appeal to the public for energy conservation to assist the electricity provider in meeting energy demands.
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced last August that he would initiate an investigation into BPL after its previous board was dissolved due to infighting, and the numerous allegations that have emerged since then.
However, it is unclear whether a committee has been appointed to take up the charge.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 2 months ago
Worthless Bannister is only too willing to help Minnis with another major cover up. And to think Minnis promised over and over again while on the campaign trail that his government would be the most transparent government the people of The Bahamas has ever seen. What a joke! LMAO
BahamaPundit 5 years, 2 months ago
I worry about politicians who keep secrets when they don't even need to, because they're pathological, pathological liars. Why keep this report a secret? If this FNM keeps perfunctory reports secret, imagine what else they are keeping secret?
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 2 months ago
It really is inexplicable. It's a fire for goodness sake. They've been claiming for months that it was arson why hide It? And why do the police have to hand a report on a fire to the minister first? Shouldn't that be public info? I admit I'm really surprised on this one
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Yes, no - more come, what does it mean when a comrade high ranking Judge, has gone on record to criticise ministers Dr Duane and Marvin when an acquittal was entered against all charges brought by the crown, against prominent PLP politician?
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 2 months ago
Repost:
NOW THAT FRANK SMITH HAS BEEN ACQUITTED, MINNIS IS NOTHING BUT A LAUGHING STOCK TO THE ENTIRE BAHAMIAN PUBLIC. NEXT ACQUITTAL, SHAMELESS SHANE. JUST THINK OF THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY MINNIS AND CARL BETHEL HAVE SQUANDERED ON JUST THESE TWO COURT CASES ALONE. MEANWHILE WE HAVE CHILDREN GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN A DREADFUL STATE OF DISREPAIR NOT TO MENTION SO SO MANY OTHER FAILINGS OF THIS MINNIS-LED GOVERNMENT. MINNIS LET HIS WELL KNOWN NASTINESS AND ARROGANCE GET THE BETTER OF HIM FROM DAY ONE AS PM. HE'S TRULY THE VERY DEFINITION OF A CHARACTER FLAWED WEAK LEADER. LMAO
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 2 months ago
Those cases were brought when Minis was trying to deflect attention from not having a plan. It's clear from the details that came out that neither case was ready for trial
The only thing im surprised at is that the case went on so long.
Socrates 5 years, 2 months ago
I'll never understand why investigation reports conducted at any government owned corporation cannot be shared with us, the owners, the people of this Bahamas. we must carry the debt but not understand why the debt exists in the first place? something is wrong with that. This is not the CIA or some secret agency we're talking about.
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Yes or no - you're at the number one reason why chief hold backer secret investigative and audit reports into government operations are not to be shared by the crown's members Imperial red forces - is because - all crown ministers must adhered comrades Minnis's, KP's and Carl Wilshire's 'Cover Ups As Much As Possible, for Long As Possible' manual outlining, why such copies audited and investigative reports cannot be used for purposes by third parties - PeoplePublic transparency - without prior written consent Minnis, KP and Carl Wilshire. Yes, no there is no arriving at number two acceptable reason - why not be transparent with PeoplePublic's businesses and monies in a timely manner laid out all hear and see on the floor Peoples Honourable House.
mandela 5 years, 2 months ago
Another reason why the FOIA is greatly needed, and it also shows why they are dragging their feet bringing it forward.
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