The Tribune

By TANEKA THOMPSON

Tribune News Editor

tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie was evasive yesterday when asked about the results of his administration’s probe into the controversy surrounding Renward Wells’ signing of a $650m letter of intent with Stellar Waste to Energy Ltd to build a facility at the New Providence landfill.

Mr Christie had promised on Friday to “imminently” address the controversy surrounding Mr Wells, as critics accuse him of sweeping the matter under the rug. Mr Wells, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works, reportedly signed the document without Cabinet approval.

He was asked about the outcome of the government’s probe moments after Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis called for the appointment of a select committee in the House of Assembly to investigate the government’s deal with Renew Bahamas to manage the landfill and Mr Wells’ actions.

“Now the opposition wants a committee of the House so now I am mindful to let them run with that,” Mr Christie said before laughing, when asked about his review of the controversy surrounding the letter of intent.

On Friday Mr Christie said he had “just received” information on the matter from Deputy Prime Minister and Works Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett and would analyse these reports over the weekend.

However, he has not made any statements on Mr Wells since then.

This silence prompted Dr Minnis to call for the select committee in Parliament to probe the Renew Bahamas contract and the circumstances surrounding the Letter of Intent (LOI).

In June it was announced that Renew Bahamas was selected to privately manage the Nassau landfill and would remediate the site. Dr Minnis has previously questioned whether the government went through a transparent bidding process before selecting Renew Bahamas to manage the landfill.

He also called on the government to disclose the details behind Mr Wells’ signing of the controversial LOI, which became public on July 11. Political observers have also called on Mr Christie to fire Mr Wells over the issue, which has rumbled on for almost eight weeks.

In early August, the prime minister said he would make a decision on Mr Wells’ future after completing an investigation. He added that, in the meantime, the Bamboo Town MP could step down as parliamentary secretary, if he felt it necessary. However, Mr Wells has not left his post.