NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis yesterday accused the Minnis administration and the Free National Movement (FNM) of being more focused on retaining power and preparing for the next general election than rescuing Bahamian families facing economic peril.
Davis, who returned to New Providence yesterday after traveling to several Family Islands, said there is “terrible suffering” across the archipelago, but the governing party remains disconnected from reality.
“I have never seen so many Bahamians hurting so badly at the same time,” he said.
“It is absolutely clear that we need to step up, immediately, relief to families and we need a roadmap for the way forward.
“People need to help now and we need to rebuild our economy so it is more fair and inclusive.
“The FNM government is not capable of doing either of these things.
“They are not focused on helping Bahamians through this emergency.”
Davis said Bahamians continue to ask the same question: “how come the government is bragging about how much money [it] spent, but none of it has reached me”.
“All those millions, where did they go?” the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) leader asked.
“You know what, I have the same question because even though I represent the fine people of Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador in the House of Assembly, the government has not provided me or my constituents an explanation for how they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars during this time.
“Time and again, the prime minister has extended the state of emergency in this country. That means since last March, [Prime Minister Dr] Hubert Minnis has had the power to reward favored FNM insiders with contracts without being transparent or accountable, and without having to defend the decisions to the public.
“You can see why, then, he is so eager to continue operating without parliamentary oversight.”
The extension of the emergency orders is subject to parliamentary oversight, with both houses, where the FNM has the majority, having to debate and pass extensions.
The state of emergency has been extended to May 23.
The government cited the ongoing pandemic and the threat of a potential third wave of the virus as the need for the extension.
Davis once again called on the prime minister to comply with the emergency orders, which he said requires him to detail total expenditure of the goods and services procured, the suppliers of the same and the reasons for the use, within six weeks of the expiration of a proclamation of emergency.
There have been three expirations of the proclamation of emergencies.
Davis said the prime minister remains in breach — an assertion he made in the House of Assembly last week.
