FNM identify areas of government to be probed by anti-corruption investigators

As of Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Darron Cash

FREE National Movement Chairman Darron Cash has concerns that anti-corruption observers from the Organisation of American States may not be able to properly investigate the Christie administration, adding that there are several areas of government that need to be probed.

His comments came the day investigators from the Organisation of American States (OAS) were expected in the country to determine the Bahamas’ compliance with anti-corruption measures.

“There is a concern about whether their (the observers) work will be only at a surface level and whether diplomatic niceties will prevent them from going as deeply as they should,” Mr Cash said yesterday.

He said areas that should be probed are the New Providence landfill, the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, the Department of Customs, Water and Sewerage, the Ministry of Works and Urban Renewal.

Mr Cash also said the FNM has heightened concerns about possible corruption in the Department of Customs.

His comments came days after Customs officials and police announced they had seized more than $200,000 worth of stolen vehicles, ammunition and electronics after an extensive investigation into what is believed to be a major smuggling operation with ties to the United States.

“We now urge the police to intensify their investigations and let the chips fall where they may, even if it means taking full control of the investigations from the Customs Department to ensure full independence of that investigation,” Mr Cash said.

He questioned whether any Customs officials might have been complicit in the smuggling ring.

He said that “over the last two years the FNM has become aware of extremely disturbing claims” of corruption within the Customs Department. He claimed that specific names had been called and “specific agencies” had also been called as having been “involved in well-coordinated efforts to defraud the government and people of the Bahamas.”

He said that “sadly, there are uncorroborated concerns that the actions” of these compromised Customs officials are known to certain politicians. He said that this “potential involvement” of Customs Department officials “may be one reason for the unsettling level of timidity evident in the statements from the police.”

Since news of the smuggling ring broke, police have said they cannot offer much information because the matter is being investigated by Customs officials.

proudloudandfnm 10 years, 2 months ago

The OAS is doing a study on anti-corruption in the Bahamas. Where do you think the PLP will hide Lady P and Ishmael while the OAS is doing their study?

proudloudandfnm 10 years, 2 months ago

Let me introduce our financial consultant to you Ishmael Lightbourne. Mr. Lightbourne was very instrumental in our VAT plans. No sir he's not the same Ishmael that refused to pay his property taxes for 20 years sir, that was another Ishmael... Meet our Governor General, no sir she's not the one that refused to pay her taxes for 14 years.... Scuse me sir I have to go down to the web shop and make a payment on my mortgage and transfer some money to my cousin in Inagua.....

licks2 10 years, 2 months ago

My my my my. . .I wonder where they will hide the Leslie Miller light bill ducking case?

realfreethinker 10 years, 1 month ago

These guys are so corrupt and contemptible they wont try to hide anything.

TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago

I have few questions for the outspoken Comrade Red Chairman. That is except on all matters that do NOT include the red shirts leadership fights, or do not require answers to, why NO party convention as clearly mandated by the reds constitution. Shouldn't he before he can demand the PLP party to come clean, himself come clean with Tribune readers, if he had advance knowledge of his party's deputy leader's leadership conclave up in Palookaville, Abaco. Was he invited by Loretta to attend? Is he willing to confirm that Loretta was quizzed for some three hours by her fellow reds during a special meeting to tongue lash her for her outright rudeness and disrespect parry leader? Is he Daron in the camp of his leader Minnis or his deputy leader Loretta? Why are the party's executives afraid to test their popularity at the the long overdue party's convention? Can his leader trust him as the red party's leader to protect his back?

shortpants 10 years, 1 month ago

Tal take a rest you are broken down old record playing the same tune everyday you repeat the same shit on every topic on every site .why don't you gave your ears a rest.

TalRussell 10 years, 1 month ago

I will Comrade the very minute Loretta stops selling herself as a "reluctant" leadership hopeful of the red shirts party. She must have cut and paste that line directly from one Papa Hubert's campaign speeches. That could be seen by Papa's lawyers as amounting to BS copyright infringement. You would first have believe it was the people themselves up in Palookaville, Abaco who summoned Loretta to come be they red leader? Yes, she was indeed drilled for some 3 long hours over her disrespect to Minnis - by not me - but her own damn red party. Comrade I challenge but with speaking truth and sometimes it gives some you confused red shirts painful corns.

SP 10 years, 1 month ago

Obviously the OAS/OEA founded in 1948 which adopted with-in it's mandate to help countries detect and defuse official corruption has much more experience, long & far reaching tentacles than Island bound dinosaurs Christie and Ingraham cannot possibly escape.

I have every confidence the OAS are EONS AHEAD of smooth Christie, fast Ingraham and slick Davis!

The question is not "Is the Bahamas corrupt" all governments are....but "how deep is the corruption"!

FREE National Movement Chairman Darron Cash failed to mention BTC, Albany, Kersner, Sandals, Breezes, Sandyport, Baha Mar and other shady deals the FNM are guilty of that OAS ALREADY HAS ALL THE GOODS ON that will also be exposed at the end of the investigation.

Look at your own house first Darron Cash before condemning others. Both PLP and FNM are undeniably guilty of way too much for far too long!

ThisIsOurs 10 years, 1 month ago

police have said they cannot offer much information because the matter is being investigated by Customs officials.

I don't understand the statement form the police, not being sarcastic either. Wouldn't some law enforcement agency in the US be interested in the fact that one of their stolen cars ended up in the Bahamas? Aren't their international agreements that they adhere to to share information on crimes that cross borders? If a crime is committed doesn't it automatically involve the police?