Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
Tourism Minister Dionsio D’Aguilar said yesterday he doesn’t believe he should have resigned along with former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands because of his involvement in allowing six permanent residents entry in the country nearly two weeks ago.
Speaking ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, he told reporters: “I honestly think enough has been said about this. I think it’s been ventilated. I think the prime minister has spoken to it and I think Dr Sands has spoken to it. I don’t think I did anything wrong and I’ve moved on. I think we should all do the same.”
His comments came a little over a week after Dr Sands offered his resignation to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for his actions related to the six residents who landed in the country with COVID-19 testing supplies and were allowed to quarantine at home before producing a negative COVID-19 test result.
Former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe connected Dr Sands with donors who supplied 2,500 test swabs that cost $11,250, prompting an effort by the health minister to get the swabs here.
Dr Sands got approval from Mr D’Aguilar for an aircraft to deliver the supplies to the country. He then contacted Immigration Director Clarence Russell who arranged his requests for the passengers.
Mr D’Aguilar told Dr Sands officials had been insisting that people coming to the country provide a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry. The Freetown MP deferred to the health minister to make the call and Dr Sands allowed the passengers entry without testing them.
Addressing the topic during a national address last week, Dr Minnis said the protocol for allowing Bahamians and legal residents to enter the country was breached.
The controversial episode, however, is not the first time people have been allowed to disembark in the country since the government implemented a lockdown.
On Sunday, Dr Minnis announced that 12 people have been allowed in the country during the lockdown period. This does not include the government’s recent repatriation exercises of those Bahamians stuck abroad.
Among those allowed in are the six permanent residents who brought test kits and were allowed to self-isolate in their home.
Of the 12 people allowed in the country during the lockdown, two were Bahamian citizens, one was a permanent resident and three were work permit holders “being skilled technicians contracted to conduct specialised emergency work for utility services,” Dr Minnis said.
Dr Minnis has since taken on the temporary role of minister of health.
More like this story
- TEST KITS FLIGHT: PM confirms protocol breach; Sands – ‘I intend to continue my work‘
- GOING ALONE: PM takes over ‘interim’ Health role in wake of Sands standing down
- We support our MP 110%, says branch chair
- PM refuses to explain decision to accept Sands’ resignation
- SANDS GOES: His resignation over flight fiasco accepted by PM
Comments
joeblow 4 years, 5 months ago
Quite an arrogant posture to take from one who lacked the authority to breach an EO by the PM. Unfortunately our politicians lack the moral character to do the right thing without political pressure being applied and the PM is too politically weak within his own party to stir up more controversy, so I guess D'Aguilar ain't going nowhere!
sheeprunner12 4 years, 5 months ago
You nitpickers ……… where were you when Christie was F$#@&King up the country from 2012-17?????? ………. Did you and your ilk called for his resignation??????
joeblow 4 years, 5 months ago
... I am objective and constantly called for Christie & Co's resignations!.
Two wrongs don't make a right bro!
sheeprunner12 4 years, 5 months ago
Are you in politics?????? …….. Are you running in 2022???
TalRussell 4 years, 5 months ago
It's no longer a case of 'if' heads of officials will roll but only remains be seen as to which the mighty ones, and how many and how quickly?
Ma comrades, cleary your post's bombs are hitting their intended targets when the crown's once thought be untouchable Imperialists most substantive cabinet ministers, consciously live in fear of entering the Churchill Building.
All the fast being exposed Mercy flights COVID-19 cast of characters are only able to communicate a limited set of foolish responses before their excuses wear thinner and slimmer. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
licks2 4 years, 5 months ago
This issue is over. .. .dr sands gone over the authority line and he got what the duck got!!! THIS ONE NAME OVER ONE MAN SAYS!!! yINNA SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE OFFICIAL FROM MIAMI. . .SHE TALKING FOOLISHNESS FOR REAL!!
themessenger 4 years, 5 months ago
So washhouse man sentence was commuted for being da snitch Aye?
TalRussell 4 years, 5 months ago
How can a collection substantive government officials go untouched over commercial and private Mercy Passenger Flights COVID-19, when street talk has it that, BPL's Comrade Peter, just got FIRED on the instant spot over his having taken a wise proactive position to protect BPL workers...and protect them from what...the COVID-19 killer virus.
We have known long that they'd lost their bullocks stand up for their once trusting in them comrade 91,409 constituents...but now these messin up 35 elected House Imperialists'** redshirts, gone lost all their red marbles? Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
DaGoobs 4 years, 5 months ago
Well one way to look at this is that if Minnis thought D'Aguilar had crossed same line as Duane Sands then D'Aguilar would have been gone too, whether by resigination or by being fired. Presumably, Minnis decided that D'Aguilar had not crossed the line or Sands fell on his sword so as not to take down D'Aguilar, Ellsworth Johnson and others.
TalRussell 4 years, 5 months ago
Well, ma comrade DaGoo, one other way look at this is the longer the Imperialists' reds crown ministers engage in their smoke and mirrors game - the more them goin' fall from the upstairs power the Churchill Building?
Baffles the mind thousands across the colony as to how ineffective politically insignificant have the other four House elected MP's become...Obediah is the masterful PLP of the commercial and private Mercy Flights COVID-19's hour.
killemwitdakno 4 years, 5 months ago
Change the experienced seat in the midst of surgery? Whoever’s at the helm of tourism on the upturn will be crucial.
BONEFISH 4 years, 5 months ago
Politicians in the Bahamas is just make you laugh.In opposition,they point out the short-comings of the government.They campaign on promises of accountability and transparency.Once elected,they forget their promises and govern just like the government they replace.
Their rabid supporters justify their foolishness. The cycle goes on and on.
Dr.Sands is just a scape goat.Others knew what was going on and should also be held to account.
But they will get a bly because they are not a threat to the leadership.Just like in the days of Pindling.
Porcupine 4 years, 5 months ago
Sad. Really sad. And, then we must spend our time either excoriating them, or defending them. Do we honestly wonder why NOTHING really gets done i this country? Year after year, generation after generation. The best we can do?
sheeprunner12 4 years, 5 months ago
Walk in their shoes ……….. Ask the PLP to do it .........SMH
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