NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis revealed to Eyewitness News Online Monday that Parliamentarians who missed the March 1 deadline to disclose their assets have been given more time to get their financial records in order.
He confirmed that three persons who failed to declare have all petitioned to the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) for an extension, which has been granted.
“Three MP’s would have written the commission in advance and would have asked for an extension,” he shared.
“One, in particular, was travelling at a particular time.
“My understanding is that two have already submitted and complied with the commission and the other has been given an extension.”
The three members of parliament to benefit from the extension are: Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar, Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell and West End and Bimini Member of Parliament Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe.
Myles Laroda, chairman of the PDC, last week called for greater powers to carry out their duties including the ability to take legal action.
His calls came on the heels of promises made by the prime minister that he would take legal action against any parliamentarian that failed to disclose their assets.
As it now stands, no member of parliament has ever been prosecuted or punished for failing to disclose.
The prime minister told Eyewitness News Online that those who failed to disclose at this point are not out of bounds.
“The commission has the right to grant these extensions and nobody is outside of the compliance,” he assured.
