By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday renewed calls for an investigation into the $100,000 cash payment made to the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.

Underscoring the social impact of “lawlessness”, Dr Minnis questioned whether the payment toward an outstanding bill for Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace – owned by Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller – was reported to the Financial Intelligence Unit.

He charged, during his contribution to the debate in the House of Assembly, that there could not be a double standard for politicians.

Dr Minnis said: “If proper vetting by this government, by the Prime Minister. How could the member for Tall Pines be elected to be chairman of BEC when he himself has bills in excess of $200,000? What kind of vetting is that?

“And then having recently paid his bill in cash, $100,000 in cash. The question is, was the Financial Intelligence Unit informed, and what did they say? And what is the policy of BEC in collection of money, I know that cannot be accepted in the bank,” he said.

“What type of recourse was there with the managers, the board, the chairman, or is this allowed in our society?

Dr Minnis said: “You can just walk into any store, you can walk in and pay cash. I think in a law abiding society, you must inform the Financial Intelligence Unit so that matters like that can be investigated.”

“The lawlessness continues,” he said, “when we have no respect for the law, what message are you sending out?”

Standing on a point of clarification, Mr Miller contended that he was treated fairly by the electricity corporation in the administration of policy on outstanding debts.

He explained that other entities owed more than $17m to the corporation – adding that the former administration implemented the payment plan system in the run up to the general election, which allowed him to avoid disconnection.

While his businesses had lost some $4m in revenue over the last two years, Mr Miller said the companies have contributed more than $10m to the local economy.

He added that he was surprised that Dr Minnis would support the exposure of private information.

Mr Miller said: “When I was appointed as chairman of BEC, today my home bill as an individual is in the same category of 90 to 97 per cent of Bahamians.

Many Bahamians have gone through tough times, we all go through some tough times now and then.

“Everyone goes into rough times, that’s just the way these things are,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s fair to my family or me. The fact is that BEC tries to work with all clients so they don’t lay people off, and help people stay employed.”

Last month, it was reported that the $100,000 was paid at BEC’s post office branch toward an outstanding bill for Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace. The sum was reportedly paid for in three payments of $25,000, $50,000 and another $25,000 because the corporation’s main branch on Baillou Hill Road refused to accept the cash, according to sources.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Miller said he did not understand the controversy surrounding the $100,000 cash payment because “money is money”.