By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands has questioned the existence of the immigration commission Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced last year.

Dr Sands told The Tribune yesterday that he was not surprised there has been no update or full disclosure of the commission’s work. He doubted the body’s existence, calling it a “lip service” tactic by the Davis administration.

Prime Minister Davis announced the commission’s formation in October 2023, after FNM leader Michael Pintard leaked documents in July 2023 showing concerns from senior immigration officials about Mr Bell’s alleged interference in their work. The commission was intended to review discretionary decisions made at the Department of Immigration.

One incident highlighted by Mr Pintard involved Mr Bell allowing the release of Chinese nationals staying at the British Colonial Hotel in January 2023, despite alleged irregularities in their work permits. Former Immigration Director Keturah Ferguson had expressed her disapproval of this situation in a letter to the Ministry of Immigration’s permanent secretary.

The commission was set up to examine how immigration decisions are made and included former Education Director Marcellus Taylor, former Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Clifford Scavella, and Alexandria Hall.

Last month, Immigration Minister Alfred Sears declined to comment on the commission’s progress. Commission officials told this newspaper they would provide an update on the commission’s progress via email as soon as possible, but that had not happened up to press time.

Dr Sands recalled that FNM members protested in the rain outside the Department of Immigration, demanding Mr Bell’s resignation. He added that the commission was supposed to be transparent and address unresolved issues within the department.

“I doubt that the commission actually exists,” Dr Sands said. “So don’t mind that they appointed a chairman. Maybe this is another reason why the chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party is not a big fan of Freedom of Information. If you were to ask for the minutes of all of the meetings held by this commission, I bet it would be less than one sheet of paper.”

“If the commission has done any work — and I bet they haven’t — then just produce it. They’ve had more than a year to do enough work. So, show us what you’ve done.”