The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama Minister Dr Michael Darville has announced that 13 new lunch vendors are under government contract to provide hot meals to students on the government school lunch programme in Grand Bahama.

He reported that the vendors have met all requirements and criteria, including vetting and inspection of their homes and vehicles.

Last week, 12 lunch vendors were told that their contracts had come to an end and would not be renewed. They allege that they were victimised because of their political affiliation and replaced by PLP supporters.

The women also claimed that they were not given adequate notice, leaving them with an over abundant supply of food, which they have credited from a local wholesale store.

East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest has condemned the termination of the contracts. He said that by doing so, the government is putting ordinary hardworking Bahamians out of work.

When The Tribune contacted the Department of Social Services on Monday about the terminations, this newspaper was advised to call Dr Darville’s office.

In a statement issued to the press, Minister Darville explained that the Ministry of Education has now assumed administrative oversight of the national lunch programme.

He noted that at the beginning of the year, contracts were awarded to 13 new vendors in Grand Bahama, which were deferred by the ministry to give the previous vendors ample notice.

The former vendors have been providing lunch for many years.

“I wish to publicly thank those vendors who have given years of service, some as many as a decade, to the children of Grand Bahama,” Minister Darville said.

The new vendors were assigned to provide lunch for students on October 27.