Bahamas Minister says audit allegation wrong, says Opposition Leader is an ‘honourable man’

NASSAU, Bahamas – November 8, 2017 – ‘An Honorable man’ said the Minister of Works as he tabled the reports from Ernst&Young on Wednesday in the House of Assembly, which alleged that the former Minister responsible was somehow less than that.

Minister Desmond Bannister’s remarks refuted media reports of the audio report that Opposition Leader, Philip Davis abused his power as the then Minister of BEC, now BPL while being the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works of The  Bahamas.

Speaking was the current Minister of Works, Desmond Bannister who said, “…Mr. Speaker, the report makes an allegation in relation to the leader of the opposition. I wish to confirm that the allegation is incorrect. It is based on incomplete records at BPL, and I wish to say unequivocally that there is no evidence whatsoever that the leader of the opposition did anything wrong.”

The former Chairman of BEC, Leslie Miller had said much the same when contacted about the allegation in the forensic audit; that he did not know of any contracts being awarded to Mario’s Bowling Alley which he owns or to the brother the former DPM, Brave Davis while the two headed the organization.  Miller said contracts usually went to the lowest bidder.

The audit said at least 19 contracts were awarded without the proper processing to members of the Board and public officials. 

But Minister Bannister added in his remarks in the House yesterday that, “Sir, I wish to table Volumes 1 and 2 of the report together with a letter from Permanent Secretary Higgs which completely exonerates the leader of the opposition. I know him to be an honourable man, and would not wish to see his reputation besmirched.”