Renward Wells sacked - but no explanation from PM

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie has fired Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells from his post of parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development following months of controversy sparked by his reportedly unauthorised signature on a $650m letter of intent with a waste-to-energy company in July.

The news came around 7:15 last night in a brief statement that read: “The Cabinet Office advises that the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, has directed that the office of parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development become vacant.”

Speaking to The Tribune an hour before the statement was issued, Mr Wells said that he was grateful to the Prime Minister for the chance to serve.

Mr Wells said he was in “good spirits” and did not seem bothered by the controversy or reports that he had been fired.

“I haven’t received the official letter from the Prime Minister as yet,” Mr Wells told The Tribune. “From my perspective, I would simply say that I thank the Prime Minister for the ability to serve.

“I have not seen the report about the letter of intent and I will have further statements in the future.”

He added: “If it is as has been as reported (that I have been fired) I have a number of jobs. I am a parliamentary secretary, which is in the executive, and the other job, which is the most important, is being a Member of Parliament representing the views and values of the people of Bamboo Town. I have attempted to do the best I can for them. Now I have all of my time to devote myself to that,” Mr Wells added.

The Prime Minister’s statement did not include an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the letter of intent (LOI), in spite of a previous pledge from Mr Christie to have either himself or Mr Wells address the controversial signing of it with Stellar Waste to Energy Management before the House of Assembly’s recess.

It follows months of non-definitive statements from government officials about the matter. The Prime Minister has been dogged with criticism that he was dragging his feet over the issue.

In July, it was reported that Mr Christie asked Mr Wells to resign but he did not step down. In late August, the Prime Minister said he would “imminently” address the matter and that he had “just received” information from Deputy Prime Minister and Works Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett.

Several times since the incident became public in July, reference was made to a probe into the matter. The results of that investigation have not been made public, although government officials have said it was complete.

Last week, Mr Davis said Mr Wells was not playing an active role in his ministry because of the LOI controversy.

Mr Davis said while he knew what should happen to Mr Wells, action on the matter rested with the Prime Minister. He added that the Bamboo Town MP should face consequences and suggested that Mr Wells’ position in the Ministry of Works “could change”.

When asked if Mr Wells’ refusal to resign despite being asked to do so by Mr Christie made the nation’s leader look weak, Mr Davis said: “If the premise is correct that he asked Wells to resign and Wells didn’t resign, why would it make the Prime Minister look weak? As he said before, he’s not going to march to anyone’s drum.”

The scandal resulted in a wave of criticisms of the government and created speculation that Mr Wells had acted on the direction of Mr Christie. It was Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney who launched the allegations.

However, Mr Christie hit back saying the claims were preposterous. He said that he was consulting with a legal team who instructed him to take appropriate steps against the persons responsible for publishing the claims.

Mr Wells made a further statement that he had not been instructed by Mr Christie.

The letter of intent bore Mr Wells’ signature and was for a waste-to-energy plant for the New Providence landfill.

Comments

John says...

All's well that ends well! But seems that Stellar Waste to Energy Management is having problems of their own and either is not a company the government wants to do business with or or at least the company needs to clarify certain matters of its own first. If Wells and the PM and the DPM chooses to remain silent on the LOI controversy the speculation will abound and shadows are cast on all their characters.

Posted 15 October 2014, 12:14 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

"The right to silence in England and Wales is the protection given to a person during criminal proceedings from adverse consequences of remaining silent. It is sometimes referred to as the privilege against self-incrimination. It is used on any occasion when it is considered the person(s) being spoken to is under suspicion of potential criminal proceedings."

Posted 15 October 2014, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal

CommonSense says...

Do you have any thoughts of your own or do you rely solely on Google and the plethora of quotes that it provides at the click of your mouse?

Posted 15 October 2014, 2:17 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

If you read my very first post you can deduce that I constructed it totally from my own thoughts and imagination and my own opinion of the crisis stemming from the unauthorized signing of the LOI by one Mr. Renward Wells who has, after being asked to resign by one prime minister of the Bahamas and after some three months of refusing to resign, been fired by the one and the same Perry Gladstone Christie, who many persons felt were acting weak and indecisive in the whole matter, especially since his DPM, at one point, at least, felt that Renward Wells should not resign or be fired, which was in total contradiction to the PM's posture. My references to, and quotations from, google and other sources was to put a universal perspective on the issue, rather to give a precieved appearance of making a personal attack and also to show that wrongdoing and corruption is not new under the sun nor exclusive to politicians in the Bahamas. Drawing from the words and quotations of internationally famous and globally powerful people tend to give weight and credence to my own point of view and opinion.

Posted 15 October 2014, 4:39 p.m. Suggest removal

GrassRoot says...

is that why PGC and the DPM are silent? No self incrimination, uh? Wonder whether Ms. AG Wonderful is knowledgeable about tis.

Posted 15 October 2014, 2:44 p.m. Suggest removal

GrassRoot says...

sacked without pay?

Posted 15 October 2014, 2:45 p.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Renward had to receive a payout .................under the table of course. Or he will soon be an ambassador like Boozie Rolle .......................LOL

Posted 15 October 2014, 2:59 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Meanwhile.... *Trinidad and Tobago mulls postponing Carnival over Ebola fears*

Posted 15 October 2014, 7:07 p.m. Suggest removal

Honestman says...

Don't hold your breath waiting for an explanation everyone - it will not be forthcoming. Mr. Wells was "reported to be in good spirits and not concerned by the controversy". What does that tell us? Clearly a deal has been done with Wells in return for his silence. This is how the PLP rolls folks.

Posted 16 October 2014, 3:22 a.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

Ebola Travel Bans Enacted by Nearly 30 Countries, but Not Bahamas??

http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/ebola-tr…

Posted 16 October 2014, 10:16 a.m. Suggest removal

John says...

Our country has the resources to treat ***three ebola paitients*** with access to additional supplies from neighboring countries. Six million tourist coming here annualy from as far away as Ja Bim and you only can treat 3 paitients. What happens if everyone takes sick on an international flight coming from say "the East?". The cruise ships can always remain at sea. they have adapted a "wait and see'' attitude about postponing the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival ( a name I suggested in this post months ago) and the IAAF track meet. Now that Ebola has reach the US shores ( for which many are blaming President Obama (he sent troops to Africa) more swift measures may come into effect to combat the disease.

Posted 16 October 2014, 10:24 a.m. Suggest removal

Hogfish says...

good.
finally.
carry y'ass.

Posted 16 October 2014, 10:52 a.m. Suggest removal

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