The Tribune

FNM Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright has criticized Urban Renewal Minister Lisa Rahming over comments that she had 'forgotten' public funds paid to contractors who failed to complete home repairs.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Cartwright challenged Mrs Rahming's remarks that she had put the losses in the "sea of forgetfulness", insisting that a government minister has no right to simply forget public money.

"A Minister of the Government of The Bahamas has no right to simply 'forget' about public funds paid to contractors when the work they were contracted to perform has not been completed," he said.

"Public money is not personal money. It cannot be casually disbursed, improperly accounted for or conveniently forgotten."

Mrs Rahming told reporters at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday that some contractors who received money through the Small Home Repair Programme could not subsequently be located.

Contractors receive a 40 percent mobilisation payment upfront, with the remaining 60 percent withheld until inspectors assess the work and homeowners confirm they are satisfied.

"Of course, we had some who took the money and we couldn't find them," Mrs Rahming said. "That's why we had the contractors' workshop."

Referring to previous losses, Mrs Rahming said: "I wipe away all the tears, all the money that been missing. I forget them in the sea of forgetfulness."

She warned that contractors who accepted government funding and failed to complete their work could be blacklisted, although she acknowledged that no blacklist had yet been established.

"There's no list yet. Hopefully there'll be a list," she said.

Mr Cartwright said her comments raised serious questions about financial oversight and accountability.

"Reports of contractors receiving payments without delivering the required work raise serious concerns about the Government's financial oversight, accountability and stewardship of taxpayers' money," he said.

"The responsibility of a Minister does not end when a contract is awarded or a payment is authorized. It includes ensuring that public funds are properly managed, contractual obligations are fulfilled and taxpayers receive value for money."

He demanded answers about who authorised the payments, whether the work had been verified and what steps had been taken to recover the money.

The ministry's November 4 report to the House of Assembly listed 41 homes in New Providence and 22 in Grand Bahama under the programme, with approximately $500,000 spent so far. Mrs Rahming said 20 of 41 contracted repairs had been completed.

However, she did not disclose how much money had been paid to contractors who failed to complete their work.

Mr Cartwright called for full disclosure of the contracts, payments and outstanding work, along with an independent review where warranted and action to recover any improperly disbursed funds.

"If a Minister cannot account for how public money was spent, that is not merely a failure of memory. It is a serious failure of ministerial responsibility," he said.

"We demand full disclosure of the contracts, payments and outstanding work, along with an independent review where warranted and decisive action to recover any public funds improperly disbursed."

He added: "The Bahamian people deserve accountability, not amnesia."