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Minnis questions signing of $650m waste plant letter

FNM leader Hubert Minnis

FNM leader Hubert Minnis

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday raised questions about the government’s reported signing of a letter of intent with a company to build a multi-million dollar waste-to-energy plant at the New Providence landfill.

Last week, The Nassau Guardian reported that the Christie administration signed a letter of intent with a company called Stellar Waste-To-Energy Bahamas Limited to build the “$625m to $675m” facility.

Dr Minnis said the report and the government’s silence on the matter raised questions about the issue. He also said he understands the letter of intent was signed by Renward Wells, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works, and questioned why such a large-scale deal was not signed off by a Cabinet minister.

“This is demonstrating again the Christie-led government is incompetent and indecisive when the parliamentary secretary can sign a letter of intent with a new company with respect to waste-to-energy.”

“The minister of environment several weeks ago had stated that the landfill was being managed by Renew Bahamas. Now how will this affect what they are attempting to do? It is quite evident that they have no energy policy and that Cabinet does not meet and discuss things.

“One has to wonder if this matter has gone to Cabinet,” he added.

Attempts to reach Mr Wells for comment were unsuccessful yesterday. The Tribune was also unable to reach Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett.

According to published reports, the proposed facility will create 2,500 construction jobs and 400 permanent jobs. It is also being touted as a means to lower the cost of electricity.

Yesterday, Dr Minnis again criticised the government for its decision to ignore the results of the 2013 gambling referendum and regulate web shops.

“This entire government needs to go, especially when a government shows no respect to the Bahamian people who voted ‘no’ in the referendum and the government goes against that decision.

“The government should return to the people and seek a new mandate.”

Comments

ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago

I don't know what the answer is. 40 years of robbing us blind. Where is the accountability?

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TalRussell 9 years, 9 months ago

Good Lord Almighty how many “$625m to $675m letters of intent does this minister actually have to sign to make him too damn busy to sign this in the whopping of millions of dollars intent letter? Comrade Leader Minnis has finally discovered how to challenge this government without slinging the usual mud of his leadership challengers. Yes, lots red flag answers must come from PM Christie as to why is it that Comrade Renward was the reported front signature on a letter of intent with a company called Stellar Waste-To-Energy Bahamas Limited to build a “$625m to $675m” facility?.Minnis keep this up and Hubert may yet be by a demonstration of real red leadership, forced to live-out he retirement days for real up in Cooper's Town.

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sheeprunner12 9 years, 9 months ago

And who are the owners/investors of Stellar?????????? We need the full story, Mr. Minnis.

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TalRussell 9 years, 9 months ago

How to easily disqualify a sudden return of Hubert from Cooper's Town. Comrades every day we see Hubert NOT confirming his support for Minni's leadership the more it encourages the Loretta's and Daron's to chase after the reds leadership. The single most powerful turning the tide for a potential Minnis victory come 2017, or may be forced upon the PM much earlier, would be for Minnis to take a solid policy position that any political party's leader who can throw away the sovereignty of their Bahamaland is unfit to be the Prime Minister of this our Bahamaland. Let's say Hubert were to out of Cooper's Town to show his face at convention (whenever they decide to actually call one) to challenge Minnis for the party's leadership, there's no way for Hubert to possibly explain away his many years of throwing away his peoples sovereignty?

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ThisIsOurs 9 years, 9 months ago

Was this company also incorporated by Davis & Co.? Any chance they were incorporated directly after the May 2012 elections?

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Revolutionary 9 years, 9 months ago

Bahamians, Our country is sick with corruption. The blame climbs up the ladder from person to minister to prime minister, but to find the true culprit, you need only look in a mirror. We know what is happening, yet we do nothing. Some feel they are alone, they have none to face this government with them. Most are scared - scared that if they raise their voice, they will be detained; political power will be exerted on them. If you are fine with what you see around you, what you see happening to this country, stay home the 26th. But, if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, I ask that you join us on July 26th outside of Parliament for a call for action, for accountability and for justice.

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PastorTroy 9 years, 9 months ago

Everyday, it is becoming more and more evident, that the Dinosaur Politicians (DINOPOL) need to retire. All of our Prime Ministers, (current and former) were essentially cut from the same cloth when it come to how to run a government, this may have been great for 1973 - 1978, however, in today's global economy and digital age this will not work, we're eating our own hands, we have an internal virus, we have a huge systematic problem within both our governing parties of the past 41 years, CORRUPTION. We (Bahamas) like in the movie 2012 are heading towards a cliff or into a mountain because something small is failing, and threatening this great technologically advance ship, our future or hope our destiny. It's CORRUPTION. cronyism, this is the 'object' currently 'stuck' in the gears on our ship, preventing our more than powerful engines from starting. No matter who is on the ship, regardless of belief, creed, nationality, political party affiliation, or the pigment in ones skin or the lack thereof; if we do not get those engines started, as a nation we will perish. Where are the great ideas? the S.T.E.M programs/Graduates? Why are we (The Government) continuing to build a system of dependency rather than creating avenues for regular citizens to survive from self sufficiency? VAT WILL GREATLY HARM THE POOR! many 'leaders' choose to use the word "may' instead of 'will'. THE RICH WILL NOT PAY TAXES (See U.S.A) The rich hire smart attorneys and tax accountants to avoid paying taxes, I totally understand this. We have no middle class or a rapidly evaporating middle class, therefore the greater majority will be the more economically challenged citizen of The Bahamas. Taxing was originally implemented in England to fight wars, Why do we need tax in The Bahamas? Simply because, we have/are borrowing too much or other peoples money, NO VISION and too much corruption, no new 21st century bold ideas from leaders of our Government simply because they are respectfully, DINOPOL's. Old and need to be replaced and not by their relatives or their proteges (whom they groom to be the same) but by grass roots Bahamians whom interest is not above the nation itself. Like the movie 2012, it will take someone risking their own life, and unknowingly the life of their offspring, to just clear the gears to get our ship in reverse and moving towards the right direction, our Cape of good Hope, IMHO, this begin with the implementation of the FOIA. A clean, uncensored, Freedom Of Information Act, will clear the air for the past 41 years, many who have mastered the art of deception the TRUTH will now come to light, not accusations from another party but, Bahamians themselves will have the ability to read about the object that has been stuck in the gears of MV/ Bahamaland for the past 41 years. CRONYISM AND CORRUPTION. WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS

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sheeprunner12 9 years, 9 months ago

The only funny thing about this is that the PLP will limp into 2017 having achieved NOTHING

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EasternGate 9 years, 9 months ago

Dr. Minnnis, I have news for you. The PLP government has already resigned (sort of) Resigned from: Decency Accountability protocol Common Sense

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