Allegations that the Progressive Liberal Party administration wasted thousands of dollars in public funds on a cocktail reception that was primarily attended by party supporters has drawn vehement denials and a counter claim, in a throw back to a similar episode that haunted the Free National Movement more than a year ago.
The FNM is claiming that the Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe allegedly spent $20,228 on a reception to host the honourees of the Trumpet Awards at Montbatten House last week, alleging that top PLP stalwarts and a few international personal friends of the Prime Minister attended.
Three months shy of its first anniversary in office, the Perry Christie led administration has been blamed before for wasting public funds, at a time when there is economic uncertainty and calls for a tight rein on the public purse strings.
In a response to the allegations, PLP National Chairman Raynard Rigby accused his political opponents of lodging baseless accusations and making “cheap, political shots.”
He criticized the leadership of the opposition instead, telling the party’s leader to face the reality that his political career is over.
Mr. Rigby reminded FNM leader Tommy Turnquest that he owes the Bahamian people an explanation about a party that he held at his Harrold Road residence to celebrate his leadership victory, a party that was allegedly paid for by an FNM supporter who was awarded a Ministry of Tourism air condition contract reportedly against the advice of the Ministry of Works.
“Before Mr. Turnquest can make any demands on the PLP and the Government, the FNM and Tommy Turnquest must first explain to the Bahamian people the results of the investigation that was conducted by the former Prime Minister into allegations that Tommy Turnquest, as the then Minister of Tourism, had used his influence to offer a contract to a known supporter of the FNM against the advice of the Ministry of Works and his Permanent Secretary,” Mr. Rigby said.
But hitting back at Mr. Rigby’s response, the FNM made some stinging comments of its own, calling the new party chairman a “rookie” in his approach to political issues. He was also accused of dodging the issues.
“Mr. Rigby failed to address the issue. That burning issue was that his government wasted over $20,000 of the people’s money at a reception for predominantly PLP political supporters,” the FNM statement on Wednesday noted.
“This took place at a time when some $1 million had been wasted to rent foreign bleachers and hire foreign contractors, when accusations of wastage have been taking place at BAIC, and when the government is running a sizeable deficit in bad economic times.”
In a counter charge, the opposition, claimed that thousands of Bahamians are disillusioned about voting in the PLP government. The FNM pointed to issues that need to be addressed like an out-of-control crime problem, increased drug trafficking, rising levels of unemployment and business failure, strained US/Bahamas relations and a crisis of confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership.
“Mr. Rigby would do well to address these issues rather than shooting his mouth off about things which he apparently knows nothing,” the FNM said.
The Bahama Journal
