The Tribune

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis' recent trip to Texas to drum up investment and promote the country overseas cost taxpayers nearly $40,000, according to a document tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday.

In keeping with a promise to be transparent about the costs associated with high-level government travel, Dr Minnis tabled the expense document in Parliament.

According to the document, the four-day trip cost $37,181.76.

A breakdown of the expenses shows Dr Minnis' total costs were $5,081.28, with $3,891.01 spent on airfare and hotel for Austin and $470.25 for his hotel in Houston. Dr Minnis also had a $150 daily per diem for the trip and $120 in total for incidentals.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield had the second highest travel expenses for a government minister. His total expenses were $4,788.78, with $3,891.01 spent on airfare and hotel for Austin and $177.75 spent on his hotel in Houston.

Another notable expense was $5,000 spent for a reception listed on the travel expenditure of Yontalay Bowe, a photographer attached to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Total airfare and hotel for the delegation was $24,358.41 in Austin while $1,536.75 was spent for hotel expenses in Houston.

"We pledged transparency and accountability in overseas travels by ministers of the government," Dr Minnis said yesterday.

"This communication is in keeping with this pledge. We will also advise the public on the cost of such travel."

Yesterday, Dr Minnis touted the trip as beneficial, due to Texas being a "potential source of investment" for this country. He said Texas was home to 54 companies on the Fortune 500 list, is a leader in education an one of the major US hubs for the development of computer component systems and information infrastructure.

The trip came about after Dr Minnis received an invitation last year from Governor Greg Abott to visit Texas and it was agreed the trip would take place in January.

On January 21, Dr Minnis led a delegation to Texas inclusive of Mr Henfield, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson, non-resident Ambassador to Central America Cornelius Smith and Senior Policy Advisor Joshua Sears.

Ms Bowe and the prime minister's aide Kirk Bastian were also a part of the delegation.

Bahamas Ambassador to the US Sidney Collie and Consul General in Miami Linda Mackey, in whose jurisdiction the state of Texas falls, and Lynden Rose, honorary consul in Houston, also joined the delegation.

"It is my intention to continue these structured and strategic overseas visits, the costs of which will be made public," Dr Minnis said yesterday.

"I have already foreshadowed investment promotion missions overseas to various countries and regions.

"We will especially welcome the private sector as partners in these missions.

"These travels are designed to attract high quality investments to our country, as well to engage our diaspora in the development of our country."

Dr Minnis promised last week to release the expenses associated with the trip when questioned by reporters during a press conference after his return to the Bahamas.