The revelation in this morning’s dailies that a company linked to a senior public officer in the Office of the Prime Minister—and her husband—has been awarded a government contract is a glaring example of conflict of interest. It’s the latest brazen scandal to plague the Davis Administration, which continues to stumble from one controversy to the next.
We have also heard reports that the government has given away every single safe anchorage for hundreds of miles to this group.
At every turn, the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and abuse of power.
How could the Prime Minister approve a multi-million dollar exclusive concession involving a sensitive seabed in one of our most pristine ocean environments, apparently without public consultation or a published environmental impact assessment? Why was there no engagement with key stakeholders in Exuma and beyond?
Why the secrecy surrounding this deal?
How is it possible that the Prime Minister’s Deputy Director of Communications is a documented agent of Bahamas Moorings Ltd.?
How is it not a blatant conflict of interest that she and her husband—the apparent principal of the company—were able to negotiate a lucrative 20-plus-year deal in secrecy?
Did the Prime Minister know that the principal of Bahamas Moorings Ltd. has been a reported close business associate of a key senior advisor to his office?
How has the government taken an ownership stake in this private company—creating a public-private partnership—without informing the Bahamian people?
How did this government see fit to invest on behalf of Bahamians without telling them? Why was there no public disclosure of an arrangement that binds all Bahamians as stakeholders?
What qualifications or experience do the principals of Bahamas Moorings Ltd. have in this sector?
Other than their ties to the Office of the Prime Minister and a senior advisor to the Prime Minister, what justifies them being handed such a lucrative concession? Why was there no public procurement process to ensure the best possible deal for the Bahamian people?
This doesn’t pass the smell test. As we saw with aspects of the BPL deal, this Davis Administration would not think twice about handing over public assets to PLP insiders and their associates—without any open, transparent, or accountable process.
This is why the public is outraged, calling this deal a blatant act of corruption. It must be canceled immediately. Any public officials involved in this abuse of power must be held accountable. If found guilty, they should be removed from office and face the full weight of the law.
Hon Michael C. Pintard, M.P.
Leader,
Free National Movement