Davis says his administration will not seek to inflict ‘Victor’s Justice” but negative findings of govt. investigations will be punished
Food Programme NGOs didn’t use the full amount of allocated funds, one holding $2 million in bank account
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday accused the former administration of using governance as an “extractive industry” and insisted that the “chips will fall where they may” after several investigations into the Minnis administration’s spending are complete.
During his presenting of the 2021/2022 Mid-Year Budget statement in Parliament, Davis said he wanted to update the public on his administration’s effort to “make accountable, those who seek to be unaccountable”.
He made the comments after tabling a report by Deloitte into the Minnis administration’s pre-election report which revealed that the former administration failed to disclose significant liabilities and unfunded obligations of the government.
He advised that the government is also awaiting the completion of investigations into the management of initiatives under the previous administration, including the Food Programme, the Bahamas Parks and Beaches Authority, the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, The Water & Sewerage Corporation, and Bahamas Power & Light Company.
He said so far in the investigations, “it is becoming increasingly clear, that some in the previous administration viewed governance as an extractive industry”.
He claimed that the beaches and parks authority was effectively a “slush fund, with no attempt made to ensure that the services being paid for by Bahamian taxpayers were provided”.
He said “the records and the money trail are clear” and claimed the evidence of wrongdoing is overwhelming”.
“I have been approached by some who have pre-emptively sought forgiveness, and offered to implicate others higher up in the hierarchy,” Davis said.
“I have not entertained these discussions as that would be highly inappropriate. All I wish to say, for now, Madam Speaker, is that the chips will fall where they may.”
Pointing to the $54 million Food Programme that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prime minister said initial investigations revealed several NGOs failed to utilize the full amount allocated to them.
Davis said those NGOs were holding onto substantial amounts of cash and in one case, one had close to $2 million sitting in their bank accounts that have since been returned to the government as demanded.
“What is the point of holding onto funds when there was such a huge need to feed people?” he questioned.
“And if the funds were available, why was better quality food not provided to all Bahamians?”
He indicated that some NGOs have failed to provide any real information, pointing to the program in Grand Bahama that was being managed out of the political office of the then Minister for Grand Bahama.“The Bahamian people deserve answers and steps, have and will be taken to ensure that those responsible will be held accountable,” the prime minister said.
Revenge or Victor’s Justice
Davis accused the former administration of using public office to “enrich themselves, their families and their friends,” adding that the political leadership “directly contributed to this by taking steps to ensure that normal safeguards were not applied”.
The prime minister said while it is an “important undertaking” his administration “will not follow the path of the previous administration, and seek to inflict ‘Victor’s Justice’.”
He was referring to the former administration’s arrest and prosecution of several former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) since 2017.
“We will not make unsubstantiated accusations, or unfairly tarnish the reputations of anyone, just because they support our political opponents,” Davis charged.
“This practice is abhorrent and has inflicted much pain on members of the Bahamian public.
“With the arrival in office of our administration, it is a practice which I hope we will never again see in public life in The Bahamas. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly.”
He continued: “No matter what early suspicions have arisen, or what the evidence has partially revealed, natural justice requires that no-one is prejudged, and everyone is granted their full constitutional right to due process.
“Whatever action we take must be supported by sound evidence, evidence which has been independently collected and verified.”
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