Water theft probe: Police investigate

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have been called in to review files of the internal investigation at the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC), which began as a theft probe but has since turned up other “sensitive matters”.

WSC Chairman Adrian Gibson told reporters yesterday he made the decision to file a formal complaint with police over findings of the Internal Controls and Compliance Division last week after consultation with Works Minister Desmond Bannister.

The internal audit is running simultaneously with an ongoing Ernst & Young forensic audit - the cost of which has not yet been made public.

Five people have been sent on leave since investigations began; however, Mr Gibson confirmed three of these have since been brought back to work.

Asked by reporters about theft, Mr Gibson said there was an alleged theft of items and when asked the value, he said in the "thousands of dollars."

He added that there were several “offshoots” which were of grave concern.

“The letter (to police) was issued by myself upon consultation with Minister Bannister on Thursday of last week. No one knows what the forensic audit would say so I can’t speak to ties (between the two audits), once all of the reports are out we will be able to see if there are any nexus. Internal controls are reviewing allegations of theft, sensitive matters that I don’t want to speak to in the press. I want them to conduct without outside pressure. Based on what was stated to myself and minister, we determined to invite the police.”

The Long Island MP added: “Whatever is the outcome with respect to the reports, action will be taken, I can assure you of that. Everything has value, (theft probe) talking about thousands of dollars but there are other sensitive matters offshoots from the allegation of theft and those are of grave concern as well. Some of them could be of a nature that warrant the police coming in so we’ve taken the liberty to invite the police.”

Mr Gibson said he planned to table the forensic audit in Parliament, and could likely make the internal report public after consultation.

He was reluctant to provide a timeline for completion of the respective audits; however, he noted the forensic audit was nearing completion, and some elements of the internal audit may be finalised this week.

Mr Gibson fielded questions about the status of the audits at a press conference announcing the expansion of water mains in Long Island.

Asked about considerations to privatise the corporation, Mr Gibson said there were no immediate plans to release state ownership but forecast a reduction in government subsidy.

“There are no immediate plans to privatise but there are plans to reduce the subsidy and find ways and means that the corporation can make up the difference in its own output, its own collections,” Mr Gibson said.

“Every year the corporation gets some $30 million. Water is a necessity, I see no reason why we ought not be profitable and moving towards being profitable.”

When asked whether the reduction would impact staffing, Mr Gibson said: “I don’t want to negatively impact staff but with everything, as time moves on we’ll see what adjustments are needed.”

Comments

banker says...

More PLP's just doing the PLP thing - stealing, cheating, lying! The dirty scumbags have no morals and no shame.

Posted 19 December 2017, 10:19 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Adrian is auditioning for his Cabinet post in 2018 ........... Half of the existing Cabinet should feel threatened by the Waterman.

Posted 19 December 2017, 10:21 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrades! This Imperial red shirts cabinet done proved they lack any commitment to transparency. What makes you think the selling off water to private party wouldn't get out of hand and quickly money hungry ugly? Be prepared see your water bill double..... How's the red shirts government's moneymaking transparency making out over at BPL?

Posted 19 December 2017, 10:29 a.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

i hope they remember the sewage theft as well

there are many people connected to sewage illegally.

Posted 19 December 2017, 11:08 a.m. Suggest removal

98% of Bahamian homes with indoor plumbing use cesspits ........ What are you talking about????? ....... Where is there a public sewage system in this country?????? ...........Do the honey wagons not pay to dispose of their effluents??????? ........... Please explain your assertion.

Posted 19 December 2017, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal

i am talking about what i know of.

there are several subdivision in new providence where no cesspits are allowed to be built.
i am a sewage customer and i have list of people illegally connected.

otoh you took the 98% stat out of your butt.

Call the corporation if you wish, I will not speak to this topic anymore.

Posted 19 December 2017, 1:38 p.m. Suggest removal

I suppose you are talking about Pinewood?????? ....... or some private upscale condo facility????? ......... But that is a small issue .... Just privatize it ......... Snake would jump at the idea to sell shit.

Posted 19 December 2017, 2:20 p.m. Suggest removal

hrysippus says...

fing water can be hard, ........... ......
If you don't have no credit card.,,, ,,,, ........
However many buckets you can afford,. ............ ..
It's drier to steal by white collar fraud.. .......
If the fiefs can only use a pail, ..... ............
Their enterprise is bound to fail. ............ ....
Stand pipe water has no cost. ... .... ...
.While toting bucket, much is lost. ........... ... ...
But crooked clerks working in Accounts, ......... .....
Can write out checks for large amounts.. ..............
For contracts given for work not done, ........... .....
Tenders approved but never won,... ........ .....
With co-conspirators in the banks.......... ..... .....
Gaining some of the money as their thanks,............. ...............
These schemes work well until the audit, ...... .... .......
Uncovers those who have defrauded it......... ...... .......
Then the Union says "we're victimized"... .... ........
And accuses all of telling lies, ........... .... ...
And None of their members can be crooks,. .......... ......
'Cos their names are written in the Union books... ....... ....
That's when the government backs away,.. ...... ......... ....
Paying out buckets of redundancy pay. ...

Posted 19 December 2017, 12:59 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrades! Talk about celebrating your constituents having use outdoor water pumps. No need make up - whose more crazy - the PLP, or red shirts?

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2017…

Posted 19 December 2017, 1:22 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

They could probably add the Christmas greetings to outdoor toilets too. Think of the positives. If you're shut in, it's an incentive to go outside, sunlight is a good source of vitamin D, it's a chance to stretch your legs and get a little exercise, then to top it all off when you get to your destination a cherry uplifting Yuletide message greets you. I'd say the only thing that probably tops it is the sense of community spirit at the water pump. Cuz who wants community at the toilet right?

Posted 19 December 2017, 1:45 p.m. Suggest removal

John2 says...

From NIB to BEC to Raod Traffic to Post Office to Bahamas Air to Min of Finance to Min Of Education to BDF to Min Of Argirculture to Public hospital Authority, Min Of works to Bank of Bahamas to Gameing board to COB to Water and Sewerage corp to the unions ....Curruption is in our blood !

Posted 19 December 2017, 1:29 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrades! I hearing the constituents MP has partitioned the minister finance to earmark $5,999 for 2018 funds to carryout much needed repairs left undone by the former PLP MP on 120 constituency's outdoor water faucets. Now, that is forward progress, right? Please, somebody give this young man's red shirts MP, a shake.

Posted 19 December 2017, 3:08 p.m. Suggest removal

BOL .......... you heard Chipman ...... Do not be ashamed of your "heritage".

Posted 19 December 2017, 3:12 p.m. Suggest removal

Comrade Sheeprunner12, seems likes the prime minister and minister finance must have left Centerville completely out the money equation when they launched the red shirts Over-the-Hill Rejuvenation Project and committed $5 million annually to rejuvenating the inner city communities on Nassau Town... but maybe they is thinking just because Centerville looks be part of the Over-the hill living standards, doesn't make it so?

Posted 19 December 2017, 3:18 p.m. Suggest removal