WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister in the House of Assembly.
By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
A “very serious investigation” is underway at the Ministry of Works involving the misuse of government supplies, Works Minister Desmond Bannister confirmed yesterday.
When pressed for details Mr Bannister said: “I am not going to interfere with anything the police are doing but some serious things are happening.”
The Tribune understands several people were questioned by police over the weekend who are employed at a Ministry of Works entity, however no one is currently in police custody.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle, head of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit, refused to comment on the investigation.
The Ministry of Works’ entity in question focuses on the paving of all government and private roads on New Providence, The Tribune understands.
Sources close to the investigation claim an internal audit revealed several employees allegedly were using government materials to do tarmac jobs “on the side and keeping the money”.
The investigation comes on the heels of of an inquiry at the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) which saw several employees temporarily suspended.
In December, The Tribune reported police were called in to review files of an internal investigation at WSC, which began as a theft probe but has since turned up other “sensitive matters”.
At a press conference last month, WSC Chairman Adrian Gibson told reporters he made the decision to file a formal complaint with police over findings of the Internal Controls and Compliance Division after consultation with Mr Bannister.
In addition to the internal investigation, the government also engaged Ernst & Young to undertake a forensic audit of WSC.
Five people were on leave since investigations began; however, Mr Gibson confirmed three of them have since been brought back to work.
Asked by reporters about theft, Mr Gibson said there was an alleged theft of items and when asked the value, he said it was in the “thousands of dollars.”
He added there were several “offshoots” which were of grave concern.
Comments
TalRussell 6 years, 3 months ago
Ma Comrade Bradda Minister, would it be helpful for taxpayers know the resale price a Fire Hydrant?
by TalRussell
OMG 6 years, 3 months ago
When will we ever actually see these crooks in jail and I include the last PLP bunch.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 3 months ago
Agreed .......... a parade before the courts is just that ....... smoke & mirrors.
SP 6 years, 3 months ago
Stay tuned. A forensic audit of education will be astonishingly enlightening as well!
bogart 6 years, 3 months ago
Nice try SP.........join the line, Bank of the Bahamas is next,.... Bahamas DevelopmentBank, Bahamas Mortgage Corp, Road Traffic, ..... NIB
So many huge loans given out that went bad causing bailout of 100 million and recently 166 million and properties valued less than 100 million and even their own official pointed this out!!! Dont know if he still has a job.
Waiting for present Auditor General who has been doing a great job to go over the business the last Chairman former Auditor General oversaw.
Lets examine these book records to see who benefitted, who got declined, who got victimized, who got help and who didnt etc. Loan policies are standard and persons have wanted to know where the VAT money gone. Looking at all these forensic audits perhaps some independent auditors should be hired.
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