The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday it is “concerning” that former Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett suggested the Pan American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) report on the New Providence Landfill was not released by the former government because he was on the campaign trail.

Dr Sands said despite the dissolution of Parliament at the time of the report’s completion, the country’s executive body does not go on “vacation”.

On Tuesday, Mr Dorsett denied attempting to “suppress” the damning report from PAHO, adding that it had been emailed to him at the height of the 2017 general election, a period in which he said he was not in office.

As a result, he insisted that he did not see the report until after the Progressive Liberal Party suffered a brutal loss at the polls to the Free National Movement.

Dr Sands said: “The former minister said he was campaigning and that he did not get a chance to see the report. We have to accept his explanation.

“That is a bit concerning given that the executive of The Bahamas does not go on vacation. There is a constitutional requirement for the business of the country to continue until the transition is complete.

“So while the House may have dissolved, the executive of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas was expected to continue to perform. So if there was an emergency that required the attention of a member of the Cabinet of The Bahamas - either that individual or the designated minister with acting responsibility - should have dealt with it.”

The report — which was ordered by the Christie administration — was released last Thursday.

However, the report was sent to members of the former government on April 28 — several days before the May 10 general election.

The report called the landfill a “public health hazard” and said short-term and long-term solutions were needed.