By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
MONTAGU MP Richard Lightbourn raised concerns over a reported unaccounted $10m in pharmaceutical drugs and supplies from the Public Hospital’s Authority while questioning the government’s ability to responsibly handle public funds as debate continued on a multi-million dollar resolution for COB’s further development.
Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Lightbourn suggested that the government was not focused on shedding light on the matter.
He pointed to the refusal of officials at the helm of the PHA – Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez and its Chairman Frank Smith – to answer questions from the media about the issue documented in a forensic audit into PHA.
However, National Insurance and Labour Minister Shane Gibson refuted Mr Lightbourn’s accusations saying the Christie administration ordered the probe into PHA’s operations because they were “concerned”.
He suggested that the government had reason to believe there was wastage by the previous Ingraham administration which was in office for the majority of the time frame that was the focus of the auditor’s report.
The Nassau Guardian reported on Monday that the audit revealed that at the end of 2013 there was a $10m deficit in pharmacy inventory between the physical count and what was reflected on the Princess Margaret Hospital’s information systems.
Mr Lightbourn said: “In the last day or two we have had this issue of these funds which are missing from the Public Hospital’s Authority – $10m. That side does not feel like this is something that requires urgent attention.
“The minister of health, he was asked to indicate what he felt on this matter, according to the newspapers, he didn’t speak to the reporter, he walked away. They continued to pursue him (and he answered) ‘Why don’t you leave me alone…stop bugging me.’
“So far the chairman of the authority has no answer. . .nothing to say,” the FNM MP continued. “Nothing to say about $10m. So you can understand why we are concerned with the way in which this government deals with money. We want to know what it’s going to be used for. We want some accountability. We want transparency. There is no transparency in this country at this time.
“We have $10m missing and members opposite don’t have the slightest concern about it.”
Free National Movement Deputy Chairman Dr Duane Sands, said this week that the revelation of missing funds highlights that PHA’s way of operating is dysfunctional.
Dr Sands said the issue sparked greater concerns about the way in which most government agencies operate.
The issue was brought to the attention of the House as MPs wrapped up debate on a resolution to borrow $16.1m to transition COB to university status. The resolution was passed in the House last night.
Comments
John 10 years ago
Can the Bahamas afford another two an a half years of mismanagement, incompetence,dishonesty, cover ups and pure thievery under this present government? They are borrowing at the rate of $1 billion plus a year, meaning that another $2.5 billion could be added to the national debt by the time they are done (completely) in 2017. That is an additional $7.150.00 owed by each ad every Bahamian man woman or child, sane or insane, cripple or able bodied. In 2017 the national debt will be above $8 billion and each Bahamian will owe close to $30, 000.00 not including his/her own personal or business liabilities. The average Bahamian has less than $1,000.00 in savings and many cannot qualify for a $1,000.00 loan.
John 10 years ago
Did this report state ho far back materials from the PMH went missing? Was all under the PLP or did some go missing under the FNM as well? How Much. When was the 'shell" company formed? Did they operate under the FNM administration? How much money did they get swing of? Tax Paying Bahamians need to know!
dehavmoss 10 years ago
In the classic case of who dun it, PLP MPs Shane Gibson and Dr. B.J. Nottage are now saying that the missing inventory occurred under the FNM. This is not the issue here. The issue here is that the audit report was dated March 31st, 2014 and 191 days has passed and the Minister of Health has not seen fit to table the report in parliament. What was he waiting on? And now that we know that he did not perform his ministerial duty to report the matter, what is going to become of him?
This is irresponsibility in the highest order. And what about the prime minister's role. You mean to tell me he had no idea of the audit's findings. What else audit reports are out there that have not been reported to the public?
The Bahamian people aren't concerned when it happened. The fact of the matter is that it did happen and we need the powers that be to make the perpetrators accountable.
Sickened 10 years ago
Agreed! It's confusing: if the PLP are right and most of it happened under the FNM then shouldn't the PLP be taking advantage of this by letting the country know that the FNM screwed up? Just give us all of the facts and then fire and/or prosecute those people responsible!! Since the PLP again are not doing anything about thievery and corruption then they are most likely involved in this scandal as well. Guilty until proven innocent!!!
GrassRoot 10 years ago
am sure the AG will do a good job. I have full faith and confidence in her unbiased, professional approach.
SP 10 years ago
What AG?.....Allison the wicked witch?....Please tell me where you getting your dope from cause boy you talking a hole heap of shyt way out of your head......Mussy be some really good stuff you gat!
TalRussell 10 years ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2014…
GrassRoot 10 years ago
who cares, who did it? You guys sound like you want to hold your parents responsible for your mistakes. Just prosecute whoever was involved in that, irrespective of their colors. Its very easy. Stop the lying and cheating.
EasternGate 10 years ago
This appears to be a typical PLP scheme. These bastards can't survive without stealing public funds, directly or indirectly. The FNM had some dishonest civil servants prosecuted and others (who should have been charged as well) retire with benefits. When this piece a shit called PLP was reelected in 2012, they dropped all proceedings and rehired them ALL! Even those who received generous packages. PLP the greatest mafia the Bahamas has ever known!
GrassRoot 10 years ago
5.8 B USD is the tab, the old men of FNM and PLP are leaving to our next generations. In exchange our children and grandchildren get underperforming schools, potholes, a defunct BEC, overpriced food and items for daily use, pension schemes for the fat cats and a handful of nouveau rich crooks.
proudloudandfnm 10 years ago
The report covers the time between July 2006 and June 2013.
So it would seem it started under the PLP government.
So who in government made the deal to buy from the shell company during the PLPs first term?
Well_mudda_take_sic 10 years ago
Now we know why Minnis, our former Minister of Health under the FNM, cannot be trusted to lead/manage our country!
BahamaPundit 10 years ago
We are not interested in the party, PLP or FNM (blaming party is just blowing smoke). We don't care when it happened either. We want to know WHO STOLE THE MONEY. Who holds the money in their bank account at this very moment. Investigative journalism should reveal the shareholder(s) of the shell company -- go to the company registry and check the shell company file. Very simple. Whoever incorporated the shell company is the thief! This bull ends now. The thief must be held accountable.
TalRussell 10 years ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2014…
JB357 10 years ago
$10 mil in missing drugs??? Laaaawd corruption!!! A tief is a tief!!! Wonder what will come out of this one. Auditors on the case!! Where the money gone???? Underground drug market?
TalRussell 10 years ago
Comrade we ain't nver suppose know who got that $10 million nor do the reds or PLP wants anyone know but pretty damn sure auditors getting the next cool million in fees?
SP 10 years ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
SP 10 years ago
How it go Obie!
John 10 years ago
While some may make light of the matter, this government has its agents out there twisting the arms of property owners to take out loans to bring their property taxes up-to-date. Many people stand to lose homes and other properties to banks on mortgages because they have fallen on hard times and simply cannot afford to pay the bank, much less their taxes, at least not all at this time. And then those who make that sacrifice to pay taxes only to see their money, stolen squandered, misused or otherwise unaccounted for. How long will honest, hardworking Bahamians sit back and allow their tax money be misused in this fashion when their own net worth is dwindling doe to hard times and increasing taxes?
John 10 years ago
Then to sit and watch the critical care block sit and decay for nearly 3 years (not to mention airport in Abaco, mini hospital in Andros) is an even more disgrace and crying shame, especially when its services are so greatly needed. If you value the depreciation on that building based on a 20 year life the government has already lost near $5 million by just allowing the building to sit there idle...but carnival coming...no worries!
John 10 years ago
“When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not Guilty'.” ― Theodore Roosevelt
John 10 years ago
“Never mind the milk, comrades!" cried Napoleon, placing himself in front of the buckets. "That will be attended to. The harvest is more important. Comrade Snowball will lead the way. I shall follow in a few minutes. Forward, comrades! The hay is waiting." So the animals trooped down to the hayfield to begin the harvest, and when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared.” ― George Orwell, Animal Farm
themessenger 10 years ago
Other than myself, is there anyone else out there interested in knowing who these few "prominent" Bahamian families are who hold the monopoly on procurement and provision of the drugs to the PHA??? One thing the PLP have never been about is a fair and open bid process, just look at BAMSI, can't get kickbacks if you have an open and level playing field.
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