The Tribune

THE WRONG STORY WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED WITH THIS HEADLINE - IT HAS NOW BEEN CORRECTED

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

URBAN Renewal Co-chair Algernon Allen yesterday said he has “nothing to hide” in spite of his refusal to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions on a scathing audit into Urban Renewal’s Small Homes Repairs programme.

Mr Allen told The Tribune yesterday that he, along with fellow Co-chair Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, still stand by their initial decision to snub the PAC’s invitation.

However, he called the idea that he and Mrs Pratt have something to hide by opting not to appear before the PAC “nonsensical”.

Mr Allen’s statements came after PAC Chairman Hubert Chipman reportedly said that the PAC would forge ahead in presenting its report in the House of Assembly regardless of whether Mr Allen and Mrs Pratt decided to appear before the committee for a hearing into the matter.

The co-chairs have refused to appear before the PAC, citing the audit as not having gone through proper parliamentary channels. However, their refusal has led some to believe that they may have something to hide in the matter.

“That makes no sense at all,” Mr Allen said yesterday. “If you say that if I follow the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, if you think that I follow the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, that it is indicative of me having something to hide, that is the most nonsensical thing that one can ever imagine.”

He added: “My position remains as was initially stated by me in my first communication. That once the process is properly done in accordance with the Constitution of the Bahamas, in accordance with the laws of the country, in accordance with the parliamentary practice, I am prepared to appear before the PAC. That is the wish of myself as is shared by my co-chair.”

On April 16, Mrs Pratt and Mr Allen refused to appear before a scheduled hearing with the PAC concerning the specifics of a scathing audit of Urban Renewal’s Small Homes Repair programme that was leaked to the media. They said they could not make that scheduled meeting because of short notice and prior engagements.

In a letter, however, the co-chairs also said that the audit was illegal because it has not gone through proper parliamentary channels and had not been tabled in Parliament. They have also said the audit is incomplete. The co-chairs said they would appear before the PAC at an appropriate date only if the report was removed from the scope of questioning.

Days later, a legal opinion purportedly sought by the office of the Attorney General dismissing the legality of the PAC actions in its investigations into Urban Renewal was leaked to the press. The legal opinion, which was reportedly sought from “eminent attorneys of international and national stature”, said the PAC’s course of action in summoning Mrs Pratt and Mr Allen was “legally improper.” The document also says the process by which the audit was commissioned “may have undermined the constitutional independence of the auditor general and engaged a violation of the separation of powers doctrine.”

Mr Chipman, PAC chairman, this week said the PAC would forge ahead with its presentation of the report to Parliament even if the co-chairs did not answer questions.

He reportedly said that despite the legal opinion, the PAC would “absolutely not be deterred” in the matter.

Last week, House Speaker Dr Kendal Major said that a letter of request would be sent to the co-chairs to appear before the PAC as opposed to serving them with subpoenas. However, on Monday, Dr Major said that that letter has not yet been sent.

Yesterday, Dr Major told parliamentarians that the matter was still under consideration.

The auditor general’s report found a lack of transparency and accountability in the Small Homes Repair Programme and that Urban Renewal had weak internal controls and was open to “abuse.”