Davis vs. Minnis on Accountability

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Philip Davis leveling heavy accusations at the Minnis administration in parliament today, accusing the former government of using the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid accountability and oversight.

His comments sparked a heated back and forth between Davis and former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis.

Jasmin Brown was in parliament and filed this report.

As he kicked off the midyear budget debate, the Prime Minister pointed out what he called the Minnis administration’s failure to be accountable and transparent about its spending habits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Davis placed the spotlight on the food program, Parks and Beaches Authority, and the Travel Health Visa.

Davis went on to lay out more details about the taxpayer money injected into the National Food Distribution program

The Prime Minister said it is still unclear how the $53 million allocated to the task force was spent, noting that there are no records on the spending and no standardized reporting of results.

He told parliamentarians Susan Holowesko Larson, who chaired the National Food Security Taskforce, was paid $1,750 per week for her work.

Davis says he found it surprising that Holowesko Larson was being paid for her work, as he thought the job was a voluntary one.

His accusations prompted a fiery response from former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis.