Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis on Friday said the government has shown “a wanton disregard for transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

Dr. Minnis’ comments came in response to claims of Progressive Liberal Party ministers failing to table audits relative to their agencies.

The opposition leader asserted that this comes as “no surprise” that the government has repeatedly failed to table their annual financial audits as is required by law, charging that transparency and accountability from the government is near impossible, because it continues to ignore the law.

“The law requiring annual audits of government expenditures is there so as to provide transparency and accountability from every level of government. But we can have neither, when this Government operates in the shadows and all but ignores the law. How are the people to know what their government is doing,” exclaimed Dr. Minnis.

He further charged that the government does not want Bahamians empowered.

“Clearly – both in action and in their words – the PLP has shown it does not want Bahamians empowered to hold this Government accountable. How can these six Ministers continue to be allowed to act outside the laws,” he added.

Alluding to the recent auditor general’s report on the Department of Social Services and the Road Traffic Department, which revealed losses amounting to millions of dollars, Dr. Minnis suggests this is only an indication of how much worse the situation can be.

“The Auditor General’s reports on the Department of Social Services and the Road Traffic Department confirm that corruption has seeped into every level of government under this PLP government. So what are the people to conclude when they learn that Ministers have not tabled audits for years as is required? What are they hiding from the public? Where is the accountability,” he said.

Last month, Auditor General, Terrance Bastian revealed fraudulent activity in the Department of Social Services, in which employees abused access to food coupons intended for individuals on welfare.

The report also indicated that there were losses incurred amounting to about $4 million.

Weeks after a similar report was issued on the Department of Road Traffic, in which Mr. Bastian revealed millions of dollars of losses and revenue unaccounted for.

Dr. Minnis assured that under the next FNM government audits will be completed and tabled in a timely manner.

He added that his party will exhibit “true leadership”, coupled with transparency and accountability.