Isaacs: Nation got value for my $2m contract
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”.
Davis warned Christie of ministers failing to gain works’ approval for capital works
UNDER the Christie administration, public/private partnerships were not coordinated through the Ministry of Works and were allowed to begin without technical experts at the ministry weighing in on a number of matters relating to them, Works Minister Desmond Bannister said Monday.
Minnis questions near $2m contract to top PLP
THE Minnis administration continues to discover all manner of “financial irregularities,” Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday, among them a nearly $2m remediation contract to a former high-ranking member of the Progressive Liberal Party and a questionable brokerage contract.
Unsealed Baha Mar papers show deal done on leases
BAHAMIANS who owned and held shop leases and concessions in the Baha Mar project were permitted by the China Export Import Bank (CEXIM) and the preferred purchaser to continue to hold them under the existing terms and conditions, according to the newly unsealed heads of terms for the West Bay Street project, tabled in Parliament last night.
Vendor got $8m storm cash
IN THE months ahead of the May 10 general election, one vendor received more than $8m to clean up New Providence in the wake of Hurricane Matthew of the $28,975,180 spent on these efforts in the country, while the government missed out on a more than $31m insurance payout because it opted not to pay the country’s Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance (CCRIF), Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis revealed in Parliament.
Govt payroll went up $2.5m in month of general election
AS the country geared up for the May general election, the government’s payroll increased by $2.5m that month as new people were hired in the public service under the Christie administration, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis revealed in Parliament yes
Davis defends $14m spending on clinic contracts
“The 80 people in Rum Cay, 72 in Ragged Island or the 700 in Berry Islands all have the same rights as those in New Providence. They are all citizens. None has priority over the other,” Mr Davis said.
D’Aguilar refuses to back down over claim airport directors were fired
DESPITE letters that contradict his claims that the Nassau Airport Development’s former board of directors was fired by the Minnis administration over the write-off of $1.2m of $3.3m in rental fees of an airport tenant, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday said he will not “budge an inch” from accusations he made regarding the matter last week in Parliament.
Parliamentarians respond as deadline looms for disclosures
PUBLIC Disclosure Commission Chairman Myles Laroda yesterday remarked on the high-level of engagement experienced by his office due to the looming deadline for former and current parliamentarians to file financial disclosures or face prosecution.
BAMSI buildings relocated due to sinkholes on site
WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister outlined the litany of problems that have plagued construction at Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute, including the fact that “sinkholes” were found early on the work site resulting in many buildings having to be relocated.
Ex-ministers to face the courts?
FORMER ministers in the Christie administration are “guilty” of “misfeasance” and Attorney General Carl Bethel will have to determine if they should be held liable for the “millions” in taxpayer dollars that were awarded in questionable contracts, in some cases to “inexperienced” contractors, Minister of Works Desmond Bannister told the House of Assembly last night.
‘Budget helps the rich not the poor’
OFFICIAL Opposition Leader Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday said the Minnis administration is benefiting the wealthy and not the poor, insisting that most tax concessions in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year will only help those who are already well off.
Speaker wants MPs to abide by rules amid row over claims
HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie said yesterday he is not pleased with the general conduct of some parliamentarians in the House of Assembly. He urged members to abide by House rules as questions remain about what MPs will be allowed to say in Parliament without tabling proof of their claims.
Board appointments due in coming weeks - Collie
THE Minnis administration intends to appoint an estimated 6,200 persons across 108 government boards in the coming weeks, Free National Movement chairman Sidney Collie revealed yesterday. In an interview with The Tribune on Monday, Mr Collie, a memb
Davis defends consultant from 'attempt to smear reputation'
THE Progressive Liberal Party’s leader has defended tourism consultant Ian Poitier from “an effort to smear” his reputation, saying the highly paid advisor “delivered exceptional value” to the country.The defence came in a statement released by Offic
