Bradley Roberts
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday called on Auditor General Terrance Bastian to explain the “criterion” he used to determine the Road Traffic Department suffered millions in operating losses due to a severe lack of order.
In a press release, Mr Roberts also called for the matter to be “turned over to police” for a full investigation.
On Monday, Mr Bastian’s report was tabled in the House of Assembly.
It said that if a forecast was performed based on the total number of licence plates produced and issued, approximately 374,000 plates, to the public as of June 30, 2015, one would estimate that the motor vehicle licence revenue should be at a minimum of $73m (374,000 x $195) instead of the reported average of $26m per annum.
According to The Tribune’s calculations, that represents a revenue difference of $47 million.
If the approximate number of 374,000 plates was reduced by 50 per cent, the report said, there would still be an estimated loss of $10m as compared to the actual recorded revenue noted herein.
The audit of the department covered the period July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2015.
“I call on the Office of the Auditor General to provide the public with greater clarity on the criterion used to arrive at the huge figure of $47 million in operating losses due to ‘a severe lack or order’ at the department among other cited deficiencies. I am of the view that in light of the huge losses incurred at the department that this matter must be turned over to the police for a full investigation and let the chips fall where they may,” Mr Roberts said in statement.
“The Bahamian taxpayer deserves that much because after all, the losses incurred were tax dollars and more importantly, public confidence in our public institutions is at stake here.”
Mr Roberts also criticised the Free National Movement for “dodging responsibility” for operational deficiencies at the department.
“The FNM had five years in their last term to clean up this mess and did not see their way to doing so in the public interest. As a matter of fact the very same automation project that Glenys Hanna-Martin is currently executing was cancelled by the last FNM administration for unknown and undisclosed reasons but now Dr Hubert Minnis and Loretta Butler-Turner are conveniently calling for strong action to be taken on this matter,” Mr Roberts said.
“Where were they between 2007 and 2012 when strong action needed to be taken? Wonders never cease. It took the PLP’s return to office in 2012 to decisively address these vexing issues at the department in the public’s interest.”
Yesterday, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie called on Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin to take responsibility for the losses at the department.
“Leadership is taking responsibility and finding solutions when things go wrong,” he said. “Unfortunately for Bahamians while the PLP knows a lot about self-congratulatory celebrations, they know little about true leadership. Case in point is Glenys Hanna Martin’s response to the PLP’s latest scandal . . .
“According to Mrs Hanna Martin she’s not responsible. If Mrs Hanna Martin, the substantive minister, is not responsible then this government needs to tell the people who is.
“Every day there is another scandal, and everyday another denial from the PLP,” Mr Collie noted.
Comments
themessenger 8 years, 6 months ago
Mr. Roberts, with all due respect I should think the onus to explain the tiefin rests on Mrs. Hanna- Martin NOT the Auditor General. The biggest problem we have with politicians in this country is they all want the accolades when something goes right but refuse to accept the responsibility when things go tits up as they frequently do.
BoopaDoop 8 years, 6 months ago
It seems that Mr. Roberts is using his "challenge card". He appears to be doubting the Auditor General's report.
Sickened 8 years, 6 months ago
Mr. Roberts is just pissed because someone else in his party got away with all this money and he didn't get his cut. He's the one that is supposed to approve all of his party's tiefen!
Clamshell 8 years, 6 months ago
'Scuse me, but hasn't the PLP been in power for 4 years now? And isn't that the 4 years during which all this teefin' happened? How do you blame the FNM for teefin' that occurred during the audit period? Huh?
licks2 8 years, 6 months ago
Why are we answering Mr. Roberts? The PLP party is NOT OUR GOVERNMENT. . .MEMBERS OF THAT PARTY HAPPENS TO BE SERVING AS THE GOVERNMENT. . .WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING FROM MR ROBERTS. . . THE PLP PARTY ABOUT THE GOVERNING OF THIS NATION. WE HIRED PM CHRISTIE AND HIS MANAGEMENT GROUP AS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR ASSETS. . .
sealice 8 years, 6 months ago
It's clear as hell Bradley.... you and your cronies are a bunch of fuqing thieves!!!!
Mmantle7 8 years, 6 months ago
The SAD part here is that even a CHILD could see that the numbers do not add up. The only real QUESTION is WHO TOOK THE MONEY???
sheeprunner12 8 years, 6 months ago
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to PLP mismanagement in government ....... public finance teefin is out of control under this PLP regime ......... still waiting to hear the reports from the "Big Four" ministries ....... Brave, Fitzgerald, BJ and Old Gomez
cmiller 8 years, 6 months ago
Wow!!! can only shake my head sadly......these the people we have to depend on to run this country? Again, attacking the messenger.
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 6 months ago
Mr. Big Bad Brad, why don't you first explain to us why "she" decided not to pursue that rape charge against you!
realfreethinker 8 years, 6 months ago
I approve this question
Sickened 8 years, 6 months ago
That's the ONLY question reporters should ever ask that wacko!
SP 8 years, 6 months ago
.......................Money is the answer to all things ................................
Obviously "she" was paid out to withdraw the charges!
Franklyn 8 years, 6 months ago
Lord you know, I have tried my best to stay quiet and not say we told you so:
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Digital Access Control Systems (DACS ID Systems) has questioned the need to upgrade and modernization the Road Traffic Department for more than 18 years. In 1995, in partnership with Datacard Group, DACS ID Systems introduced to The Government of The Bahamas to the DACS ID Badging Systems 7000; a centralized digital ID card printing solution and PC based Imaging Software; which produced 1000 Driver’s License Per-Hour) - Brensil Rolle, Controller
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In 2005, DACS ID Systems in partnership with Goddard Technology Corporation’s and Customer Computers offered a comprehensive fix to the Road Traffic Department. The Proposed solution was designed to reduce fraud, increase revenue and add an efficient software management system to the Road Traffic Department. Our innovative digital card-to-printer communication encoding was offered to electronically control card stock inventory – for example. (Jack Thompson, Controller)
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Franklyn
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
Franklyn 8 years, 6 months ago
Part 2.
- In 2014 (Currently in discussion) The proposal address immediate and mid-to-long term issues related to the management and direction of the Road Traffic situation in the Bahamas. If accepted, our solution will position The Bahamas with the technology – to issue internationally compliant and secure drivers and vehicle documents, reduce fraud and better manage vehicle theft and other related crimes.
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In a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the Government of The Bahamas – Utsch GmbH – provider of Vehicle License Plate and Vehicle Registration Systems and Maha GmbH & Co. KG – provider Vehicle Inspection and Testing Equipment, as a consortium, propose a service bureau approach where:
• Utsch Bahamas Ltd. will make the necessary investment in blank vehicle license plate stock, the machinery (U-Press) and the necessary infrastructure which will electronically control and monitor the production and management of vehicle plate issuance in The Bahamas.
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The proposal will also include the issuance of secure/tamper resistant (RFID Vehicle Registration-Inspection Decals) and the vehicle registration management software – the RFID decals or “3rd Plate” as it is called, when enabled, can electronically interface with law enforcement equipment, record traffic infractions and remotely update records – for example vehicle insurance fraud and vehicle theft can be effortlessly discovered by reading the encrypted data transmitting from the RFID tag technology.
• MAHA Bahamas Ltd. will make the necessary investment in a fully equipped four (4) line vehicle inspection test center which will include software systems and infrastructure development. The vehicle inspection test centers will electronically test and transfer vehicles test results to a central data center* where vehicle owner records will be updated. The test center will verify vehicle VIN, engine and transmission numbers, conduct test to determine roadworthiness (to agreed standards) and monitor vehicle emissions. Roadworthiness Test: Roller brake tester for cars, vans and light trucks Tire tread depth measuring Shock absorber test Side slip test Emissions test Head light balance test Odometer test Horn sound meter test Windscreen wiper test VIN number, transmission and engine number check Signaling, brake light indicator test Seatbelt and airbag test Tire inflation pressure
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Data collected from these centers will create the key element of a new Motor Vehicle Title System (MVTS). The Title System, Vehicle Registration, Secure Vehicle License Plates and the RFID Decals – combined, will realize a 20% - 30% increase in revenue at the RTD, satisfy industry stakeholders, create access to vital, “never to be had before”, information and provide reports on usage and state of vehicles in the country.
We can fix this problem ...today.
SP 8 years, 6 months ago
They don't WANT it fixed! They want to continue pilfering the public purse
bogart 8 years, 6 months ago
Surely the Financial Institutions system should have picked up why such a large amount of the cash component of $47,000,000. or large portions thereof would have been passing through or laundered in the financial transactions assuming that all or just a few plates were not given out for free. Banking institutions need to check why a few accounts again assuming that only a few culprits were involved had such a large amount of cash possibly up to $47,000,000 passing through accounts in their institutions in three years because someting don't seem quite right given all the anti money laundering legislation which these banks check. Not all anti money laundering have to do with drugs which again seems to be a big ting nowadays seeing all that cocaine captured by our hardworking Defense Force. And a mighty thanks to them for protecting our nation!
SP 8 years, 6 months ago
LOL... right on queue and well said as always!
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