NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Philip Davis yesterday revealed in Parliament that the principal of a local NGO went on a “spending spree” with funds from the COVID-19 food assistance program and roughly a month ago returned to the government cash, trucks, and boats totaling $400,000.
Davis during his mid-year budget contribution again highlighted what he called the “startling lack of controls” surrounding the Minnis administration’s pandemic food assistance program.
“I can now report that there have been further developments. After the Food Programme was ended, while other organizations were returning any unspent funds to the government, an NGO chose to go on a spending spree,” Davis told Parliament.
He continued: “Approximately just a month ago, the principal of this NGO returned to the government – this guy – returned $100,000 in cash. This same guy brought back two modified high-end trucks, such as those used to fuel boats, jet skis, and other watercraft; two boats, a speedboat, and a barge. What has been returned so far is altogether valued at $400,000 and they’re looking for some more from this person. The exercise is continuing relative to the food program. Somehow we will get to the bottom of it all so that the Bahamian people can truly appreciate what may or may not have gone on.”
While the Prime Minister chose not to reveal the name of the NGO in Parliament, one version of his speech which was released to the press identified the NGO as Idea Relief. A subsequently released version of the Prime Minister’s address omitted any mention of the matter entirely.
According to the NGO’s website, Idea Relief was founded by Will Tomlinson and Scott Aranha and was “birthed in response to the devastation of hurricane Dorian and was responsible for successfully coordinating the evacuation of over 600 people on private vessels from Abaco’s mainland & cays during a three-day period in early September 2019.”
“In addition to evacuations, IDEA facilitated medical support, search & rescue transport, and supply chain logistical support for the Government of The Bahamas, NGO’s and private citizens in the impacted areas on Abaco.
“Founders Will Tomlinson and Scott Aranha are entrepreneurs that grew up living in The Bahamas and have developed extensive networks of private donors, non-governmental organizations, and Bahamian Government agencies. IDEA Relief is the product of their desire to create a Bahamian-based disaster response organization that is both permanent and intentional in preparation for future disasters,” the NGO’s website states.
Aranha told Eyewitness News that he resigned from IDEA “a while back” and was unaware that the NGO had returned any funds to the government. Aranha directed Eyewitness News to speak with Tomlinson, who he said was the NGO’s president and ran the food program. Attempts to reach Tomlinson for comment were unsuccessful.
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