The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday in a press release, pulled out what it called “corruption files” on the members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
FNM Chairman, Sidney Collie said the PLP cannot represent the people “when it is putting itself ahead of them”.
The first file was pulled on Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, alluding to a recent editorial in one of the local dailies, which claimed South African Gerhard Buekes, a property financier known to Mr. Davis, heads the “opaque company whose contract conditions and ownership have never been publicly disclosed and appears out of its depth in handling a solid waste facility”.
The next file was pulled on Tall Pines Member of Parliament Leslie Miller, who was recently quoted in saying, “you help those who help you.”
The final file was pulled on Agriculture Minister V. Alfred Gray, who was also recently quoted in saying, “we are going to do as much as we can for the people who support us.”
The FNM chairman added that Bahamians need leaders working for them and their families, and not working to enrich themselves.
Earlier this month, FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis accused the PLP of continuing to embrace corruption in awarding government contracts.
During that time, Dr. Minnis alluded to an incident in which he said the prime minister “ignored” reports of the government awarding a lucrative contract to a former PLP cabinet minister; and Minnis went on to say that Agriculture Minister V. Alfred Gray defended the transaction, by asserting that the government will do as much as it can for the people who supported its members.
Dr. Minnis maintained that such actions exhibit dishonesty on behalf of the leadership.
“The only way that we will stop corruption is with new leadership. Leadership, that will bring true accountability, including enacting new anti-corruption laws that establish an independent agency with no ties to the Office of the Attorney General,” Dr. Minnis said.
“Our economy is in ruin, crime is rising and the people have lost faith in this government. The prime minister should know that corruption plays a big role in this and it will be up to FNM to fix it.”
