The entire management of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is up in arms over what is being called the “cavalier spending habits” of the Executive Chairman Sidney M. Stubbs.
A senior employee of the corporation has supplied the Bahama Journal with a series of documents revealing how the financially-strapped corporation is being abused by the actions of the Chairman.
The employee said that the Chairman is operating without the concurrence of other board members and in defiance of the Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller, under whose portfolio the Corporation falls.
Mr. Miller, it is understood, is seeking to “hold the line” on expenditures in view of the financial crisis facing the government.
However, Mr. Stubbs, according to the informant, has been “spending money like it is going out of style.”
Documents provided show that some $22,000 was spent on the “ill-fated and poorly attended” Bahama Art Festival.
According to the source, Mr. Stubbs was advised by the Minister not to proceed with the project because BAIC recently held an exhibition, Showcase Bahamas, in September at the Wyndham Nassau Resort on Cable Beach .
It was revealed that some $3,000 was spent for live music for the event, but the music was not supplied.
A major contentious matter involves a consultancy agreement with Earlin Williams to provide marketing and public relations services. Under an agreement, Mr. Williams is required to provide services which include speech writing and other assignments as dictated by the Executive Chairman.
Mr. Williams was retained at the sum of $2,800. In addition to this, he is paid on a project-by-project basis for other duties.
Between September 13 to November 7, Mr. Williams received cheques from the corporation in the amount of $9,723.
In one invoice, Mr. Stubbs paid Mr. Williams $500 to write one speech.
In another Mr. Williams was $1,350 to prepare a document called, “The Way Ahead” for board members.
In some instances, the Minister blocked cheques for travel expenses of Mr. Williams after they were authorized by the Executive Chairman.
Archbishop Drexel Gomez, at the opening of the Anglican Synod, called on the Prime minister to revisit the appointment of Mr. Stubbs.
The BAIC debacle took a new turn in parliament today when Independent Member of Parliament Whitney Bastian, who represents South Andros constituents, said he has information that BAIC employees are wasting the corporation’s money.
“I can’t see how you can have persons at your office wasting government’s funds, giving contracts here, giving contracts there, without the board approval,” said Mr. Bastian in a direct statement to Minister Miller.
He also questioned why the Prime Minister never officially announced the board and added, “I’ve heard you’ve been doing lots of things, you Mr. Minister, lots of things without the consent of the board. I want you to defend yourself.”
With that, Minister Miller rose to his feet and informed House members that the BAIC Board is in place.
“With regard to the wastage of funds and cost for some trade fair, that I’m really not too familiar with it because I wasn’t here, and I don’t know whether the board would have approved these expenditures or not. I would have to look into that situation and report to this House ASAP.”
Mr. Bastian also questioned whether the hiring freeze on the public service has been lifted. He said he understands that the corporation has hired a number of people in Nassau and Freeport.
