By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie, also the Minister of Finance, yesterday said he is not aware of how much taxpayer’s money was spent on his trip to Sri Lanka and Europe.
Mr Christie told reporters that he found the complaints of overspending directed at him “insane”, as the Prime Minister never handles money while on such trips.
Details concerning the trips he goes on, Mr Christie said, are the responsibility of one of his handlers – Chief Inspector Cunningham.
With that, Mr Christie said he was prepared to disclose the information although he did not say when Bahamians could expect him to do so.
He said: “The Prime Minister goes to places that have been arranged for him to go. Some of those things are paid for by credit card and paid for when the payments come in. The Prime Minister could not possibly tell you on a day-to-day basis what it costs.
“I never ask what the meals cost. I never ask whatever it is that they spend on and what it costs. I go to a hotel I look at the hotel have an idea. When we come back Inspector Cunningham has to do accounting for the Ministry and the Ministry has to account to the Minister of Finance (Michael Halkitis). I presume all of that is in the process now.
“I am always prepared to account and if I am not, the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Assembly has a very easy means to determine what we are spending. It is put in the budget and they have the constitutional right to make requisitions of the Ministry of Finance to say what did he spend there (and) what did the government spend there.”
Mr Christie was out of the country for two weeks to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings in Shri Lanka. He also visited the Pope at Vatican City and then went on to London.
Comments
ohdrap4 10 years, 5 months ago
he is not aware of anything these days.
he does not care, he will get the money back by taxing us.
he does not care how much money is wqastewd that is why he allows the bec and civil servant to double dip
a fool is born everyminute to be taxed
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
Wow. ~"I will govern just as I did in 2002-2007"...No kidding. It's amazing how statements like these (i.e. complaints of overspending directed at him “insane”, as the Prime Minister never handles money while on such trips) are made as if they make absolute sense and we're expected to swallow it. No wonder Stephano,Greene is happy today.
Why waste taxpayers money preparing a budget then debating the budget for days on end if no one ever intends to adhere to it? Travel the World spend indiscriminately repair thousands of homes on a whim, build a new PM residence, all unplanned, bless the massive fraud ongoing at BEC, then announce that something drastic has to be done because we're out of money.
Do I expect him to know that lunch cost 250 on Wednesday and 750 on Thursday, not really. I do expect him to know beforehand how much he expects the trip to cost (realistically) and then have someone monitor cost while on the trip (day by day, it's too late to check at the end of the trip) to ensure the budget is not being blown, then assess what was actually spent vs planned after the trip ends, all of this should happen relatively quickly if someone actually cares about what is being spent.
This is the Minister of Finance, the overseer for the National Budget execution. Are we doomed?
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
If someone were actively monitoring expenses for example, they could say, hmmm these prices are higher than we anticipated, maybe we should cut out the "priceless" but unnecessary trip to see the Pope, turns out it may cost us more than we can afford.
hj 10 years, 5 months ago
How reassuring must be for Bahamians to have a leader that is not aware of many things that go on in this country. Talking about living in a different world. But then again who cares,right? New taxes are about to be imposed to the Bahamian people to pay for those trips and other expenses. So pay up and "get a life".
Bahamianpride 10 years, 5 months ago
He knows how much money was spent on the trip, he just does not want it made public because it will enrage the people.. This however is systematic of how most governments are ran.. They are all use to this type of wasteful spending on themselves, it's just that we are in the era of information and technology to the masses exposing these things. In his mind living lavishly on the tax payer is one of the perks of the job, they all feel that way. Now the BEC nonsense that's just blatanly criminal, but what's truly exposed is the tremendous power and influence that the union and its members have over the Government. The Government backed down and allowed this criminal bahavior to continue out of fear of losing votes...
crabman 10 years, 5 months ago
Okay, somebody help me here, the minister of finance does not know what the trip cost, did anyone do an expense report prior to going or was it "fly now and let the public pay for it later"? and these jokers are saying the VAT is going to work and be good for all of us, next they will be saying,"see that bridge there, if you want it I can get you a good price, I know the owners" just a bunch of freelance con men (and women)
Still_I_Rise 10 years, 5 months ago
Who cares how much he spent, he was out on business and enjoying himself at the same time, You think Obama will order chicken instead of steak because the U.S. economy is in a slump, hell no. If any of you'll was in his position you'll probably would have carried your family and all of your friends abroad too... Ball everyone out... PM, take advantage of the opportunity while you have it...
P.S. I aint no PLP either, just a realist...
rony 10 years, 5 months ago
Your not a realist your a "imbecile" for saying such a thing.
Still_I_Rise 10 years, 5 months ago
You'll uneducated idiots watching the wrong things...
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
Why are you watching porn in these critical times?:)
banker 10 years, 5 months ago
The issue is why did Baltron Bethel go? The issue is why did Baltron Bethel's son go? The issue is why Baltron Bethel's son's business partner go? The issue is who paid for the hangers-on? The issue is that CHOGM was held in Singapore, and why was there an expensive side trip to Rome? The issue is that minister of finance doesn't know the cost or budget for the trip. The issue is that there is no transparency in the government. The issue is why did the Bahamas go when countries like Canada and India boycotted it because of human rights issues?
The real imbecile in this case is Perry Christie.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
"Look daddy", Ha-ha
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
Clear and concise!
(I was told by a friend that someone seriously needs to look into the effects of a stroke on the brain processes....a particular brain that is, ....kinda cruel, but this past year really makes you wonder)
pablojay 10 years, 5 months ago
One thing i have to say about Perry Christie, he is still sooo "puffed up " about being the prime minister ,that too many times when he can simply say " i ", he says " the prime minister ". He probably reminds Bernardette each night that they sleep together with whom she is sleeping and as for the trip to the Vatican,i think Fred Mitchell sent him there because they are getting the wrong impression from some of the Pope's public utterances.
We must also remember that very few people spend somebodyelse's money the way that they spend their own,especially when they can arrogantly brush off any and all requests for accountability.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 5 months ago
My friend says it shows that he still can't believe he is PM so he constantly has to pinch himself. I have no doubt he will label this the most historic reign of any PM (for all the wrong reasons) and that explains the visit to the Pope, the march on Washington more than anything. Self-glory. Self aggrandizement. He and FM are different from "us" common people, they can't work in a tiny cramped office on Bay St, or entertain guests in the same venues that leaders before them have done, they need bigger, grander, brighter, fancier stages to match their awesomeness and utter fabulosity.
Watch and see, the Dalai Lama is next.
ADubbs 10 years, 5 months ago
The Tribune could use a lot less paper and ink by printing what PGC IS aware of.
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