Thursday, June 22, 2017
By SANCHESKA DORSETT
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER of Works Desmond Bannister said yesterday he has authorised the board at Bahamas Power and Light to “take the necessary steps” to remove persons from the company in relation to the millions of dollars that have allegedly been stolen.
In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Bannister said the issue is not about politics, but it is about protecting the people’s money and ensuring that anyone who breaks the law is punished.
Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation told The Tribune that the amount allegedly stolen from Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) has risen to $4m. When asked for comment on this, Mr Bannister said he has not received the updated figure.
Last month, four BPL employees were suspended and one person was terminated pending the outcome of the theft investigation.
Employees were accused of “orchestrating an elaborate scheme” that allegedly involved fake companies and forged cheques. Allegedly at least one bank employee was also involved in the plot and is being investigated, a source told The Tribune.
“We are currently conducting a forensic audit to see what exactly needs to be done,” Mr Bannister said yesterday.
“We are cleaning up BPL. I authorised the board to do what is necessary and do what they need to do, to make sure the people responsible do not continue to break the law. This scheme has been going on for years. There is no politics involved. These private individuals, these members of the board will do what needs to be done. Some action has already been taken and more is coming. The matter has been turned over to the police and the Attorney General’s Office. Like I said in the House of Assembly (on Monday night), corruption, theft and corrupt practices will not be tolerated.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander reaffirmed yesterday that while police have not made any arrests to date, “there is no doubt that someone will be charged.”
During the budget debate on Monday, Mr Bannister told parliamentarians that “action is forthcoming.”
“Mr Speaker, honourable members would have all read in the daily papers of the millions that were stolen at Bahamas Power and Light under the former administration,” he said.
“I want to advise the Bahamian people that some action has already been taken and more action is forthcoming. There will be no sacred cows. Wrongdoing will be punished wherever it is discovered and lawbreakers can expect to pay the price. We fully expect that the next time this matter is in the media it will be because of the action taken by the police. It is the sacred responsibility of every Bahamian to uphold the principles of justice, and to expose acts of corruption and dishonesty.”
Last month, President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union Paul Maynard said “there will be hell to pay” if his union members remain on suspension during the investigation, while managers at the power company “go unscathed.”
Mr Maynard said he will not stand by and let his members be railroaded when those of higher rank, whom he claimed are allegedly the only ones who have access to the funds in question, remain at work.
He also previously demanded that BPL hire a forensic accountant from outside the power company because “rats cannot investigate rats.”
Comments
B_I_D___ says...
Red, yella or green...fire any and all involved AND press criminal charges...we need to stop this practice in this country of coercing corporate thieves to resign or just fire them without the follow through. CHARGE THEM!!
Posted 22 June 2017, 2:37 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
ABSOLUTELY!
Posted 22 June 2017, 3:22 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
Can we also take the necessary steps to terminate those responsible for constant power outages (Red, Yellow, Green, Pink or Blue)? PLEASE SAY YES! PLEASE START AT THE TOP!
Posted 22 June 2017, 3:21 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Comrades! What party's political appointees makeup the BPL board? I thought BPL is under foreign contract?
Posted 22 June 2017, 3:27 p.m. Suggest removal
DDK says...
Good question Comrade Tal, but the Board has nothing to do with the foreign management team (Power Secure) does it? Are they still there? Not sure what they do or did except cash cheques. I am sure the current Board is a matter of Public record. Nathanial Beneby WAS the Chairman of BPL
Posted 22 June 2017, 4 p.m. Suggest removal
OMG says...
Hey Tal since when did we become communists, all this comrade stuff ?
Posted 22 June 2017, 7:25 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
What you talkin bout OMG, didn't Jesus addres his disciples as the 12 Comrades?
Posted 22 June 2017, 8:44 p.m. Suggest removal
Alex_Charles says...
jail jail jail
Posted 22 June 2017, 3:53 p.m. Suggest removal
MonkeeDoo says...
DDK - Nat Beneby - That is probably why BPL runs as ineffectively as RBC. That bank is a shambles. Disgrace. He must haev been made Chairman of RBC in the first PLP regime.
Posted 22 June 2017, 4:38 p.m. Suggest removal
Greentea says...
I have always wondered what Beneby brought to the table. Big job, after big job. In my few meetings and interactions with him I found him completely forgettable. If someone knows, I am willing to be enlightened.
Posted 23 June 2017, 12:08 a.m. Suggest removal
ohdrap4 says...
there are many people like so.
in all spheres of business.
those who have the fortitude to question, reason and oppose do not last long as they resign from posts and then get blaballed evrywhere they go.
Yes men are considered to be smart.
Posted 23 June 2017, 7:56 a.m. Suggest removal
Well_mudda_take_sic says...
> MINISTER of Works Desmond Bannister said yesterday he has authorised the board at Bahamas Power and Light to “take the necessary steps” to remove persons from the company in relation to the millions of dollars that have allegedly been stolen.
The Board of BEC should not need approval from the Minister of Works to fire anyone. This is the type of ministerial interference in the running of our government corporations that must stop. The government should appoint the best qualified individuals to these boards and then let them get on with doing their job as directors of an enterprise. If Desmond Bannister has no confidence in the BEC board to do what they should be doing, then he should simply fire all of them and simultaneously appoint suitably qualified individuals to the board who can do what's expected of them by both the Minister of Works and the Bahamian people.
Posted 22 June 2017, 5:15 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
You're right...
Posted 22 June 2017, 9:13 p.m. Suggest removal
ohdrap4 says...
Their power to fire incompetents has been restored.
Remember, for the past 5 years they could not exercise that power.
If they were to do so, they would get a phone call telling them to reinstate the employees.
Posted 23 June 2017, 7:58 a.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
I think his point is that a Board is supposed to be the ultimate authority. They have the right to hire and fire whom they wish without approval or disapproval. If the person who put the board in place decides the Board is acting incorrectly, the correct thing to do is fire the Board. If you are giving the board directives, there is no point in having a board. If the Minister wanted to send a message to the Board it should have been a general call to "act like a board" no qualifications
Posted 23 June 2017, 11:07 a.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
The board should have little to do with this.
These are criminal matters.
Don't fire anyone. Put them in jail.
Why are there rarely any consequences for criminal behaviour in The Bahamas?
Posted 23 June 2017, 5:39 a.m. Suggest removal
BahamasForBahamians says...
Can we fire Cecile Greene, The CFO who presided over the company's finances during this conundrum?
Posted 23 June 2017, 10:27 a.m. Suggest removal
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