The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie has fired Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells from his post of parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development following months of controversy sparked by his reportedly unauthorised signature on a $650m letter of intent with a waste-to-energy company in July.

The news came around 7:15 last night in a brief statement that read: “The Cabinet Office advises that the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, has directed that the office of parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development become vacant.”

Speaking to The Tribune an hour before the statement was issued, Mr Wells said that he was grateful to the Prime Minister for the chance to serve.

Mr Wells said he was in “good spirits” and did not seem bothered by the controversy or reports that he had been fired.

“I haven’t received the official letter from the Prime Minister as yet,” Mr Wells told The Tribune. “From my perspective, I would simply say that I thank the Prime Minister for the ability to serve.

“I have not seen the report about the letter of intent and I will have further statements in the future.”

He added: “If it is as has been as reported (that I have been fired) I have a number of jobs. I am a parliamentary secretary, which is in the executive, and the other job, which is the most important, is being a Member of Parliament representing the views and values of the people of Bamboo Town. I have attempted to do the best I can for them. Now I have all of my time to devote myself to that,” Mr Wells added.

The Prime Minister’s statement did not include an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the letter of intent (LOI), in spite of a previous pledge from Mr Christie to have either himself or Mr Wells address the controversial signing of it with Stellar Waste to Energy Management before the House of Assembly’s recess.

It follows months of non-definitive statements from government officials about the matter. The Prime Minister has been dogged with criticism that he was dragging his feet over the issue.

In July, it was reported that Mr Christie asked Mr Wells to resign but he did not step down. In late August, the Prime Minister said he would “imminently” address the matter and that he had “just received” information from Deputy Prime Minister and Works Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett.

Several times since the incident became public in July, reference was made to a probe into the matter. The results of that investigation have not been made public, although government officials have said it was complete.

Last week, Mr Davis said Mr Wells was not playing an active role in his ministry because of the LOI controversy.

Mr Davis said while he knew what should happen to Mr Wells, action on the matter rested with the Prime Minister. He added that the Bamboo Town MP should face consequences and suggested that Mr Wells’ position in the Ministry of Works “could change”.

When asked if Mr Wells’ refusal to resign despite being asked to do so by Mr Christie made the nation’s leader look weak, Mr Davis said: “If the premise is correct that he asked Wells to resign and Wells didn’t resign, why would it make the Prime Minister look weak? As he said before, he’s not going to march to anyone’s drum.”

The scandal resulted in a wave of criticisms of the government and created speculation that Mr Wells had acted on the direction of Mr Christie. It was Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney who launched the allegations.

However, Mr Christie hit back saying the claims were preposterous. He said that he was consulting with a legal team who instructed him to take appropriate steps against the persons responsible for publishing the claims.

Mr Wells made a further statement that he had not been instructed by Mr Christie.

The letter of intent bore Mr Wells’ signature and was for a waste-to-energy plant for the New Providence landfill.