Chief Superintendent Marvin Dames confirmed that police were holding the workers and investigating the fleecing of more than a quarter of a million dollars from the Ministry, which manages the nation’s number one industry.
But Mr. Dames was quiet on much of the details of the investigation.
He, however, confirmed that the investigation had been taking place ever since the beginning of the year when tourism officials reported the alleged crime.
The Bahama Journal has learnt that the money went missing from the Ministry’s accounts department and it is believed that the employees involved wrote more than 30 cheques and stole the money over an 18-month period.
Mr. Dames said the investigation was continuing and there could be more arrests made, but he refused to say whether the persons in custody were line staff or held supervisory positions.
“The investigations are progressing very well and we hope at the end of the day someone would be made to account for these funds,” he said. “These types of investigations have to be conducted over a period of time. This wasn’t overnight.”
Mr. Dames added that the workers in custody were being “cooperative”, but he would not say where they were picked up from or when formal charges are expected to be brought.
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe told The Bahama Journal last night that as he understood it, the matter involved the misappropriation of funds, but he said it would be improper for him to comment on a police matter.
Minister Wilchcombe did say, however, “I’m very disappointed. I’m disappointed whenever any of these matters arise. I’m disappointed that there has to be an investigation. I just become very concerned whenever there is alleged criminality.”
Central government allocated the Ministry of Tourism $78 million or 6.4 percent of the total funds available in the 2005-2006 fiscal budget.
The Ministry of Tourism does not have the regular checks and balances as other ministries.
Because of the industry and the need to access funds on a regular basis and with great urgency, for many years successive governments have allowed the Ministry of Tourism to operate an accounts department so that it would be able to pay bills, especially overseas, dealing with tourism promotions – advertising and marketing.
The system of using Treasury vouchers has become very cumbersome and bureaucratic and it was felt many years ago that the Ministry would operate more effectively if it had control of its funds.
In recent times, the Ministry of Tourism moved into the former Bolam House on George Street, which housed Lloyd’s Bank.
Tourism’s offices had not been in one location following the 2001 fire, which destroyed the straw market and the Ministry’s Bay Street office. Prior to the George Street move, officials had been in cramped quarters in the British Colonial Hotel building after the fire.
It is understood that yesterday’s arrests have sent tongues wagging throughout the Ministry as police try to uncover exactly who were involved in the disappearance of the money and how they were able to operate their scheme over so many months without anyone noticing sooner.
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
