Senator Dr. Michael Darville said the Free National Movement’s (FNM) claims of corruption against the previous administration are not substantive and are simply just allegations.
His comments came on Friday during his contribution to the debate on the 2017/2018 Budget Communication in the Senate.
Dr. Darville, who is also the former minister for Grand Bahama, said instead of conducting a budget debate, the Free National Movement turned the House of Assembly into a political arena with the majority of their contributions being not about the financial prospects of the country, but alleged Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) corruption.
Dr. Darville used comments from Attorney General Carl Bethel to reiterate his point, as Mr. Bethel said there has been no formal complaint filed against any PLP minister so the allegations at this point is just all talk.
“The majority of their contributions (in Parliament) were about alleged PLP corruption and who got what government contracts,” Dr. Darville said about FNM ministers. “I believe the Bahamian people are saturated with all this political posturing and are ready for this government to put plans in place that would bring relief to the poor by creating jobs.
“In an interview on the evening, last night, the attorney general admitted no formal complaint has been filed by any government official, or citizen, that would substantiate the claims made in the Lower House.
“It is my sincere belief that if the Free National Movement can prove acts of criminality by any former minister or public servant. They should forward that information to the police and allow the authorities to take legal action or make the allegations outside these honorable chambers.”
Dr. Darville also blasted the government for borrowing what he considered an unprecedented $722 million.
“This voodoo style economics of trying to borrow their way out of debt appears to be the first part of the FNM’s plan to turn the Bahamian economy around,” he said. “What is ironic is that this same scenario was predicted by many local prophets during the election campaign who clearly articulated that the Free National Movement win the general election, the first thing they would do is increase borrowing. It appears now that these prophecies have come to pass,” Dr. Darville said.
Last week, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis made several accusations against the previous administration including questionable payments made to Ash Enterprises totaling a sum of $8 million in regards to hurricane cleanup, several of Ash Enterprises sub companies were not registered with the registrar general.
