By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Deputy Chief Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
ERRINGTON “Minky” Isaacs, Progressive Liberal Party chairman emeritus, said yesterday his political affiliation had nothing to do with the nearly $2m contract he was awarded for remediation at the former Bahamas Electricity Corporation, as he labelled Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ criticism of the situation a “witch hunt”.
In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Isaacs said Bahamians got “plenty” value for money for the contract, adding that his client had not expressed any issues with his work.
Asked to define the parametres of his work, Mr Isaacs did not respond, but said PLP leader Philip Davis was expected to address the matter at some point today.
On Tuesday during the afternoon session of Parliament, Dr Minnis said Mr Isaacs knew as much about oil remediation as he, the prime minister, knows about flying a space shuttle.
While speaking of his discovery of questionable contracts relating to the utility provider, Dr Minnis said there were two separate agreements of concern: one of them for customs brokerage worth $923,707.75 a year to a Fitzgerald—whose first name he did not call—and another to Mr Isaacs worth $1,853,829.56, who was a director of Penta Industrial Services Co Ltd. These contracts were for services to Bahamas Power and Light Ltd, formerly BEC.
For Mr Isaacs’ contract, Dr Minnis said the commencement date was March 27, 2013 and the expiration date for the contract was March 27, 2017. He said while contracts over $100,000 require bids or requests for proposals (RFPs), no bids were sought for the contracts in question.
Dr Minnis further explained that requests for proposals were sent out and companies sent in their documents but were ignored. He said individuals were subsequently contacted and asked to bring their contract in and they were granted the deals.
On Wednesday, Mr Isaacs said he did not know when the contract began. He also insisted that he did bid to be awarded the contract.
“Does he (Dr Minnis) know what the work entails? Before you open your mouth, you supposed to check,” Mr Isaacs said.
“I was asked to bid, I was invited rather to bid. I submitted a bid like everyone else. I don’t know who else did but I submitted a bid. That was November (and) it didn’t come out until March. I even forgot about (it but) I said, ‘fine my company won the bid.’
“I am a Bahamian. If I am asked to bid, I would like to bid on a contract. BPL never complained about the work I did. The work went along all right.
“I’ll say this to you, the fellas who own the basketball teams and the football teams they can’t play basketball. They can’t play football. So, what you do? They hire experts, people who know.
“I know what I am doing (and) I don’t get into anything that I don’t know anything about,” he also told The Tribune.
The contract was for “the provision of labour and cleaning services for BEC’s premises located at Blue Hills Power Station and Clifton Pier Power Station.”
Remedial work of this kind requires specialised knowledge, Dr Minnis said on Tuesday.
It has been suggested that the customs brokerage contract was awarded to a company owned by Edward Fitzgerald, the father of former Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 10 months ago
Minky is corrupt to the core and someone who definitely belongs in a prison cell for having knowingly allowed himself to be unjustly enriched with funds belonging to "we, the people", funds that he effectively stole as a thief by every definition of a thief. This should be a most easy matter for the Minnis administration to prove beyond a shadow of doubt unless Hubert Minnis and Carl Bethel decide to play games with "we, the people".
jackbnimble 6 years, 10 months ago
This dude is a class act. He's actually admitting he was 'invited to bid' and then got the contract while others legitimately put in bids and they were ignored. No wonder he carry on so bad the night his precious Perry resigned as leader of the party. Gravy train gone!!
I'm beginning to realize why they loved Mr. Christie so much. And it had nothing to do with his great leadership skills. While he was at the helm slackness, corruption unaccountability and cronyism can't done. I think he was leading the charge and they simply followed.
sealice 6 years, 10 months ago
We all know this is BullShite - the blue hill plant kept catching on fire because this cornhole and his crew weren't doing the work..
jackbnimble 6 years, 10 months ago
Yep. We got value all right! VALUE ADDED TAX. This dude is a joke!
TalRussell 6 years, 10 months ago
by TalRussell
realfreethinker 6 years, 10 months ago
Are there no contracts from the government for less than $1mil? WOW
screwedbahamian 6 years, 10 months ago
Baseball and Basketball team owners are in the sports and entertainment business and do not bilk the American Citizens out of Tax money. The only qualifications that he needed was to be a kiss up to the XXX prime minister. I held a light for my father to work on car engines at night and cleaned up oil leaks and I am just as qualified. Most of all I have read, fires at these mentioned facilities had to be extinguished by the Fire Department who also cleaned up the oil. When so many Bahamians have to live without and consequently, school children have to study without electricity because of the high cost and other people are enjoying life to the fullest because of political corruption contributing to the high cost is a SHAME SHAME!!!
DDK 6 years, 10 months ago
You are so right and we have been so screwed!
Craig 6 years, 10 months ago
These PLP's seemingly dont understand the meaning of a witch hunt. They seem to be using it daily nowadays!! I guess they need to find an excuse no matter how shallow and week
Socrates 6 years, 10 months ago
The other Daily reported that Isaacs allegedly threatened physical violence against the Prime Minister. Bahamians are known for loose talk, but i think in this case the RBPF should bring him in for questioning and put him under surveillance for a period. We don't know if he has the means to carry out his threat but he certainly has motive. We need to bring law and order to this society..
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