Minister of Works Bradley Roberts accused the former FNM government and Brent Symonette, representative for Montagu, for lacking the political will to root out corruption.
Mr. Roberts made his contribution in the House of Assembly during its debate on the Electronic Communication and Transaction Act 2002, The Data Protection Act 2002 and the Computer Misuse Act 2002
Said Mr. Roberts: “Mr. Speaker where was the political will of the FNM when it was needed to root out corruption within the FNM government?”
He said Mr. Symonette has seemingly erased from his mind that it was because of the lack of political will of his FNM government in being honest and open that caused the fresh wind to blow on May, 2002.
“They couldn’t find the political will to be open and honest with the Bahamian people and as a result of a terrible freak of nature, he’s the only candidate of New Providence that was left standing after the May 2, fresh wind,” he said.
Mr. Roberts said his comments about the FNM and Mr. Symonette were the results of comments made by Mr. Symonette as he left the House of Assembly last week. The Montagu representative proposed that Mr. Roberts was leaving to make sure BEC doesn’t interrupt his power supply.
Mr. Symonette was absent from the House of Assembly as Mr. Roberts made his comments.
He said Mr. Symonette noticed more and more pictures of Lady Pindling and old PLP’s popping up in public view. He reminded Mr. Symonette that every $50 bill served as a reminder of the worst part of Bahamian history, which has been roundly condemned by civilization since the beginning of the world.
“A history, that if he had the moral will, he would get lost in order for Bahamian people to forget that he represents the worst side of humanity. And yet he talks about any kind of will by my government,” he said.
He said the FNM’s will to root out corruption went missing on numerous occasions.
Mr. Roberts wondered why the FNM government allowed five years for persons on remand at Fox Hill Prison to receive trial date.
“Where was the members voice on the topic of political will?,” he asked rhetorically. Mr. Roberts questioned Mr. Symonette’s political will to address burning issues on the Prince George Welcome Centre, the Meeting Street government building, and the Police building in Grand Bahama.
“I’ll tell you where he was; he was busy fixing up his company for a job at the airport, that’s why he didn’t have the time to tell his colleagues about their lack of political will,” said Mr. Roberts. He said while Mr. Symonette didn’t have the will to avoid doing what was done for centuries in The Bahamas, he managed to engage in corrupt activity with the support from the FNM government. He said when Mr. Symonette served as chairman of the Airport Authority, though aware of the condition of the airport’s runway, he failed to fix it.
“Oh no he was too busy making sure his company got the contract to do the perimeter road at the airport .
He certainly had the political will to do that, only in that instance the will was motivated by inherent greed and corruption. And of course, he was told to resign or be fired for his behaviour as Airport Authority Chairman,” said Mr. Roberts.
He said Mr. Symonette was relieved of his duties as chairman because he was caught with both hands in the cookie jar, and lacked the political will to get the runway fixed for the Bahamian people. Mr. Roberts noted that while Mr. Symonette had the immoral will to give his company the contract to fix the perimeter road.
“Mr. Speaker I have said all of that to say this, until the member for Montagu could show the public that he at least has the legal will to do the right things he is not in any position to talk about the political will of my government,” said Mr. Roberts.
By Sean Inniss, The Nassau Guardian
