NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Free National Movement (FNM) is prepared to take legal action against the government if it does not honor dozens of contracts that were awarded under the previous Minnis administration.
The legal matter is currently being spearheaded by former Yamacraw MP Elsworth Johnson and former Tall Pines MP Don Saunders.
During a press conference addressing the issue at the party’s headquarters yesterday, FNM Leader Michael Pintard slammed the Davis administration for “political tribalism” for the way Bahamians across several ministries have been reportedly “discriminated against”.
“Bahamians hired through proper channels; possessing required documents; having received their letter of placement and or appointment have in some cases have been fired, sent on vacation, sent home with or without pay and with no sense of when they are to return,” Pintard said.
“Bahamians who were working in Urban Renewal and by all accounts performing effectively were cursed out and ran out of their workspace and in some cases sent home on vacation.
“Bahamians who have gone through the proper process of securing contracts with several Government Ministries, Departments, Corporations, Boards and Authorities have had their contracts canceled.
“In some cases, these entrepreneurs have made substantial investments in equipment, staffing, and other inputs to ensure business success. Many have made financial commitments based on the life of the contract.”
The FNM leader called for fairness for those workers awaiting their promotions, overdue payments, and fairness for contractors whose contracts have now been canceled.
Last month, Eyewitness News reported that the government was expected to end all contracts issued with the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority.
The revelation came amidst growing concern with contractors who claimed they have not been paid by the government for work completed and their contracts have not been honored.
Minister of Works Alfred Sears said that shortly before the General Election on September 16 all of the contracts with the authority had been renewed, even though some contractors did not “perform satisfactorily.”
Sears revealed that some contracts were not signed by the authority — even though the contractor purported to perform work, and other contracts were issued without the board’s approval.
The minister also noted that there were incidents of contracts that were not brought to the attention of the accounts department and incidents of duplication of contracts, adding that all of them were still being reviewed by his ministry.
However, Pintard insisted yesterday that discussions with the government are moving simply too slow for Bahamians who have needs and have to provide for their families during the Christmas season.
There are currently no estimates on how many people were impacted, though Johnson noted that their legal team is currently working to gather that information and identify all of those individuals.
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