Hubert Chipman and Shane Gibson
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement MP Hubert Chipman yesterday questioned the citizenship legitimacy of government-hired builder Lloyd Smith as he suggested the contractor and Labour Minister Shane Gibson had close ties.
Mr Chipman expressed concerns that a conflict of interest might exist, pointing to instances where Mr Gibson – who is also National Insurance Minister – has not only emphatically defended Rev Smith but has been associated with him on separate occasions.
Those occasions, Mr Chipman told The Tribune, included Rev Smith officiating at the funerals of Hollywood actress Anna Nicole Smith and Mr Gibson’s father, King Eric Gibson. He said a “common thread identified in the person of Rev Smith” as it relates to Mr Gibson was obvious.
Rev Smith and his company Holiday Industrial Builders International (HIBI) were drawn into the public spotlight in April after it was revealed that despite a 2008 termination of his firm’s contract to build the Attorney-General’s office by the FNM government, he was re-issued a new $20 million contract by the Christie administration to construct a building for the Ministry of National Security on John F Kennedy Drive. The issue sparked weeks of rows and mudslinging between the government and the opposition.
“Historically we have always had a problem with immigration and I believe that Mr Smith falls into that category,” Mr Chipman said. “We need to tighten the loopholes when it comes to immigration and citizenship.
“Looking at this Lloyd Smith issue, there are concerns about the legitimacy of his citizenship. If he is not truly Bahamian, then what about the PLP’s ‘Bahamians first’ mantra?
“In addition, Lloyd Smith seems to be a common thread when it comes to Minister Gibson. What is their relationship? This same Lloyd Smith officiated not only at Anna Nicole’s funeral, but Gibson’s father’s funeral. Now in recent times we see he was contracted from the National Insurance Board under the auspices of Minister Shane Gibson. He has heavily defended Rev Smith saying he sees nothing wrong with the issuing of the contract.”
Several unsuccessful attempts to contact Mr Gibson and Rev Smith were made up to press time. A worker at Rev Smith’s office said he was out of the country until tomorrow.
In May, Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said HIBI was thoroughly investigated and declared “competent” by the Ministry of Works.
He said HIBI’s contract for the construction of the Attorney General’s building was wrongfully terminated in 2008. Mr Davis revealed that the initial contract awarded to HIBI was valued at “around $14 million”, but the figure contradicts previous reports that stated the original contract cost was $5.9 million.
Mr Davis’ sentiment that the media brought unnecessary attention to the issue and did not fairly present the facts was supported by Prime Minister Perry Christie and Mr Gibson.
With a view to reveal opposition hypocrisy, Mr Gibson tabled documents in the House of Assembly to show how a construction firm that had been terminated “with cause” from a project was then awarded more work by the previous FNM administration.
However, he was “not minded” to table NIB’s contract with HIBI, adding that details concerning the project were only made public because it had been requested.
HIBI’s legal counsel challenged the termination and were successful in arbitrating the matter, according to attorney Kelphene Cunningham, who said the total sum of money paid to HIBI upon completion of arbitration was “just shy of $700,000”.
Ms Cunningham has said the decision to cancel the contract was “purely for political expediency”. Mr Gibson has told the media there was no mention of “shoddy work” throughout the arbitration process.
Comments
GrassRoot 10 years, 3 months ago
I get the impression Mr Chipman tries politics. Rather than bringing up "he did this", "she said that", and "had a drink with them" I suggest focusing on past performance. If Mr. Smith's company has a history of being non reliable and over budget, that should be the only concern for hiring the company again or not. Being non-factual Mr. Chipman just opens the door for Mr. Gibson to take out the verbal sledgehammer again and create the smoke needed to make the issue disappear over time.
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Comrades I really don't think who is asking the questions on behalf of the "working peoples NIB gold" should encourage Minister Shane and his NIB Board of Directors to be ducking answering questions, cause if you give honest and transparent answers, you are only doing your jobs as the servants responsible for protecting the "working peoples NIB gold." Comrades you would think Shane who currently reigns"exclusively" as the only PLP cabinet minister running a "cash cow" Crown Corporation (NIB), you'd think, since he's the ONLY minister whose ministry ain't cash bankrupt, handling all of the "working peoples NIB gold," he and his board of directors would have figured out pretty dam early, that all eyes will always be focused on how the "workers NIB contributions gold" is being handed out and to whom and for what? Wouldn't the "servants of the "working peoples NIB gold" not want to make damn sure, not to open itself up to coming under assault, by not practicing 150% transparency? You go figure.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 3 months ago
I guess the question you didn't ask is, why was he put there to run a "cash cow"....
John 10 years, 3 months ago
Eventually BAHAMIANS are going to grow wary of their money being misspent, the growing national debt, the secret selling off or giving away of our national assets, foreigners coming here and being given a free ride and red carpet treatment, while Bahamians are being required to pay more and more taxes while their standard of living continues to fall, and they will stand united and rebel. How can you continue to believe in The Bahamas when you see everything you've worked for crumbled like a piece of foil paper and blown away?
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Comrade I didn't ask because it has nothing to do with the handlers of the "working peoples NIB gold" answering questions in a straight-forward manner. Despite my stomach grinding for me to ask Chippie questions about his red regimes past, I've decided this is not the appropriate time to dwell too deep into the past as not to cloud giving anyone an excuse not to be transparent when it comes to what is being done with all the "working peoples NIB gold?"
Dragnet
..........//https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkOk5K4gztU&list=PLB7B40508290980BF
iamcitizen 10 years, 3 months ago
Hi comrades, the issue of Holiday Construction’s CEO, the Rev.Lloyd Smith, citizenship was raised once before before. During the course of delivering the keynote address at the recent FNM rally, Party Leader, Dr. Hubert Minnis alluded to something that was evidently missed by the press covering the rally.
While addressing the current controversy surrounding the contract awarded to the Rev. Lloyd Smith to build a virtual replica of the office complex now housing the office of the Attorney General, Dr. Minnis said: "…. they say they believe In Bahamians. Let’s hope they awarded this contract to a Bahamian citizen!"… thereby suggesting that Mr. Smith may not be a citizen of The Bahamas.
As it turns out, Dr. Minnis has opened a Pandora’s box. Enquiries made as a follow-up to Dr. Minnis’ statement reveal that Rev. Smith was born in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, and Turks & Caicos Islands.
Friends and relatives of Rev. Smith, in the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands, claim they knew him as a child and young adult in the Turks & Caicos where he was born and carried the name: Lyon Clemson Smith and that Rev. Smith changed his name to Lloyd Clement Smith when he came to The Bahamas in the 1960s.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 3 months ago
Soooooooo, is he a Bahamian, British or dual citizen??????? We have about 20,000 TCIs living here now................ most of Inagua and GB is TI
MCMFNM 10 years, 3 months ago
Dr. Minnis had this information at his disposal over 6 months ago and did not act on it. Now he is trying to stop his shadow Minister from asking question regarding this matter. My Follow MCM FNM I urge you to stand up with me and voice our concerns so that this type of foolishness can be stopped.
Acts such as these that will cause the downfall of FNM has been swept under the rug for too long and personally I think that we should do what ever is necessary to secure the future of the FNM party, the interest of Bahamians and a future for our nation. We this said, I strongly suggest we take a stand and do what is best to within for this Party and the future of this country.
iamcitizen 10 years, 3 months ago
For the benefit of Sheeprunner12, Generalcrazy and other commentators, the following information is provided for your edification:
Lyon Clemson Smith was born in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, Turks & Calicos Islands on 10th August 1948 to Lionel and Laurie Smith (nee Saunders).
LYON CLEMSON SMITH changed his name to LLOYD CLEMENT SMITH, falsified an affidavit of birth, dated September 23rd 1970, claiming to have been born in Millville, Abaco to one Elizabeth Smith on January 21st 1945 and obtained a Bahamian passport with the assistance of a corrupt and now deceased Passport Officer.
The Affidavit utilized to secure the passport was not registered with the Registrar General.
There is no record of the birth of one LLOYD CLEMENT SMITH, dated the 21st day of January 1945, listed In the Registrar General’s Birth Records.
All for now……..
Publius 10 years, 3 months ago
There are no words!!!!!
sheeprunner12 10 years, 3 months ago
WOW!!!!!!!!! I wonder how many more well connected PLP (and FNM) cronies are really illegal immigrants masquerading as born or paper Bahamians .......... like most of us didnt know that GG Arthur Foulkes was a Jamhatian until quite recently...................... SMDH
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