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‘Gibson accusations must be looked into’

Water and Sewerage Corporation executive chairman Adrian Gibson.

Water and Sewerage Corporation executive chairman Adrian Gibson.

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PLP leader Phillip “Brave” Davis. (File photo)

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis has called on the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police to instruct the Anti-Corruption Unit at the Royal Bahamas Police Force to launch an investigation into allegations regarding contracts awarded at Water and Sewerage Corporation.

Documents were leaked to the media showing that Water and Sewerage Corporation contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars were awarded to Elite Maintenance. A woman listed as director of the company in 2018 — a lawyer — is said to be close to executive chairman Adrian Gibson.

On Sunday Mr Gibson would not confirm or deny that the woman lawyer was his fiancé, however she shares the same name as a woman identified as such in a leaked police report he filed in 2020.

However the Long Island incumbent has said he had no beneficial interest or any other interest in the company and said “false allegations” regarding the issue were the sad reality of “silly season” and “mudslinging” that have become features of Bahamian politics.

Yet, Mr Davis stated that these reports are “deeply concerning” and the chairman’s actions which were revealed to date show that he is “not fit to hold public office”.

“The Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police must both uphold their statutory duties and instruct the Anti-Corruption Unit at the Royal Bahamas Police Force to launch an investigation immediately,” Mr Davis said. “This unit exists specifically to investigate charges such as these.”

Mr Davis said if the allegations are ignored, it would show Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is also unfit to lead.

“If the Prime Minister thinks that this scandal will go away, and continues to support Gibson’s re-election, there is no clearer indication of the character of the team the Prime Minister chooses to surround himself with, which makes him equally unfit for office,” the statement read.

The leaked documents purported to show payments made to the company between November 2018 to January 2021. The largest of these was $263,206 on January 7, 2021. Another large payment of $131,601.12 was received by the company on July 7, 2020. There was also a $15,600 payment in November of 2018 along with numerous other payments from then to the early part of this year.

However on Sunday, Mr Gibson responded saying nothing untoward had taken place, adding this lawyer had been engaged by the company to act on its behalf.

He further insisted that the maintenance services agreement between the water provider and the company went through the corporation’s normal contracting process. Ultimately the contract went to the company with the lowest bid.

WSC awarded a contract to a company whose principals engaged the attorney in question to provide corporate services and, pursuant to Bahamian law, to act as subscribers/nominee shareholders to form the company as is legally required, The Tribune was told.

“I am advised that sometime after the formation of the said company, the shares were distributed to the beneficial owners as directed. I am advised that while they were in the process of formalising their corporate affairs and even after she was legally authorised to act on their behalf,” he said on Sunday.

Mr Gibson said the attorney did not solicit any contract on behalf of the company. The attorney, he said, was engaged by private individuals and it was upon that basis that the corporation interacted with her.

He continued: “I am further advised that - having legal authority to represent her clients - the attorney was authorised to sign on their behalf. I have been advised that the attorney – at a later juncture – issued correspondence to the corporation’s general manager, advising that she was no longer authorised to act on behalf of the company as agent and requested an amendment of WSC’s records to reflect the same. A subsequent correspondence was received from the company.

“At a later date, the company in question submitted a bid as part of the corporation’s normal contracting process.

“That bid went through the internal procedures put in place and was found to be among the three lowest who were ultimately given work. At the time of that engagement, I am advised that the attorney was no longer involved with the company in any capacity,” he said.

Attorney General Carl Bethel and Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr Gibson also could not be reached yesterday.

Comments

Topdude 3 years, 3 months ago

This statement by Mr. Davis about investigating Mr. Ferguson is all poppycock. Accustomed as he and his cohorts in the PLP party are to this type of corruption, Mr. Davis is guilty of projection.

TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago

In the means whilst — since we're on the topic — Wastes. — However, since there's lots evidence that some of the poor quality two-ply toilet papers on stores shelves is so razor-thin bad that a shi# wipes user, must tears off twice as much toilet paper and is not happy at all with results wipes — suspecting it is not really 2-ply and not just of one-ply quality - However - due to its skyrocketing prices under Reds — along with Sewerage & Wastes Corporation matters — shouldn't it too be an election matter — worthy be policeman's investigated. —Yes?

John 3 years, 3 months ago

There is significant evidence or 'coincidence' to cause Mr Gibson to recuse himself from the upcoming election and, in the alternative, the leader of the FNM asking him to withdraw his candidacy in the best interest of the party. Then he has an option to run as an independent and can re-join after a fair and proper investigation ( if he wins his seat),

licks2 3 years, 3 months ago

John you and I agree on very little. . .but it is elementery what you concluded about the Gidson Affair!! I know what many of us think about Davis!! But the center of this "swing" is Mr. Gibson. . .Davis has nothting to do with this!!

mandela 3 years, 3 months ago

He needs to be investigated, there seems to be clear proof of conflict of interest here. Bahamians need to get away from this party loyalty and think of loyalty to hold any and everyone with no exceptions whether PLP, FNM, or others, accountable who is stealing our ( Bahamian People ) money, we put them to work for us not steal from us.

themessenger 3 years, 3 months ago

You mean da PLP frat boys dem shouldn't have bailed Vinny Peete out just da other day???

TigerB 3 years, 3 months ago

I agree, it should be looked into, but right here in West end is a former member MP who is running again...I'm waiting til Fred Mitchell starts yappin about resignation, he has to start with West end.

Hoda 3 years, 3 months ago

If you are familiar with incorporating a company what it is being said is not unheard of. If your family or friends work in some office/law office that office incorporation services it is likely that they are nominee officers/directors/secretaries in all kind of companies - until the owners change it. Just because you are a officer/director in a company does not mean you are a shareholder collecting profit - but they should investigate clear it up and if it ain't nothing it aint nothing.

sheeprunner12 3 years, 3 months ago

Brave is a bad example for trying to smear Adrian ..... Brave did 1000 times more crap as DPM

killemwitdakno 3 years, 3 months ago

Wasn't he rushed to fix the water?

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