COI Deputy Leader: Your Minister of Finance Has Been Found Wanting

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The Coalition of Independents joined growing calls for Finance Minister Michael Halkitis to step down, as questions continue to surround his past association with a company now at the center of a government contracting controversy.

COI Vice President Dr. Veronica McIver said the issue goes beyond politics, arguing that public officials must be held to the highest standards of accountability.

Dr. Veronica McIver – Vice President, COI

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse. So for that, Mr. Alcides, people may like you as a person, but you must resign. You must step down.”

Dr. Veronica McIver was the latest political voice calling for Finance Minister Michael Halkitis to resign.

In a nearly seven-minute video posted to her Facebook, the Coalition of Independents’ vice president said the controversy has raised serious questions about accountability in public office.

Her comments echo those from the Free National Movement, and COI leader Lincoln Bain, both of whom have also called for Halkitis to step aside.

McIver says whether or not any laws were broken, public officials, especially those responsible for the country’s finances, must avoid situations that could undermine public confidence.

Dr. Veronica McIver – Vice President, COI

“Your Minister of Finance has been found wanting. He has now been affiliated or associated with a company of disrepute or of illegal means. He’s saying he was the director, not the president, he didn’t know, and he was just structuring this and that. But guess what? At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. You are savvy in business, you are savvy in finance, you should have known what you were getting yourself involved in.”

McIver said that the matter speaks to a larger problem she believes is contributing to declining public trust in government.

She pointed to low voter turnout in the recent general election as a warning sign, saying many Bahamians are growing disillusioned with the political process and are demanding greater transparency from their leaders.

The COI vice president also renewed calls for campaign finance reform, electoral reform, and greater government accountability.

Dr. Veronica McIver – Vice President, COI

“We need men of integrity, men of good character, to be sitting in the halls of Parliament. That’s what we need, and we’re not getting it. And because of that, small nations like ours, when you have corruption, it carries a heavy burden.”