National

FNM Leader: “Why Does The PM Insult The Intelligence Of The Bahamian People?

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – FNM leader Michael Pintard rejects the government’s explanation for the controversial $183 million no-bid contract awarded to an affiliate of Bahamas Striping Group of Companies for roadworks.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 9, 2025

Joshua Williams

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard is rejecting the government’s explanation for the controversial $183 million no-bid contract awarded to an affiliate of Bahamas Striping Group of Companies for roadworks.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) addressed the matter, announcing that the contract had been “paused” and was included in a recently published public procurement list due to an “administrative error.”

On March 31st, the Davis administration published a list of government contracts awarded in December 2024 and January 2025, revealing that Abaco Caribbean Holdings Limited (ACH) received the $183 million contract on December 18, 2024, for West Grand Bahama roadworks through a direct award.

Pintard called the government’s explanation “a poor excuse.”

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement
“Why does the prime minister insult the intelligence of Bahamians, how is it possible that you could have made a 183 million dollar mistake and then go further to blame others so he’s between two bad places, it’s either 1 he’s making a bad decision in the manner in which he has allocated 183 million dollars or he is incompetent that he is unable to keep track of the people’s money.”

The opposition leader added that the habit of non-competitive bidding under the Davis administration is nothing new, citing the Moorings deal in Exuma and the government’s energy reform deals as examples of how the government conducts business.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement
“We have a concern because what the prime minister is doing he is putting a cloud over the heads of companies or who otherwise good companies who can things done in the country but the manner in which the prime minister is executing the contract he is depriving other Bahamians of an opportunity to bid and own a piece of the rock.”

The Office of the Prime Minister says it has completed a review of the decision-making process and the timelines related to the publication of a list of contracts, in accordance with the Public Procurement Act. OPM Communications Director Latrae Rahming denied the opposition’s claims of cutting unfair deals.

Latrae Rahming – Communications Director, Office of the Prime Minister
“As stated in our previous statements, there were no wrongdoing, no improper intent, and no malfeasance.”

However, Pintard believes the next steps should involve transparency.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement
“We call on the prime minister, we call on the minister of tourism, who himself has not revealed the contracts the Ministry of Tourism has entered into. They should follow the law and reveal the contracts and what the cost is to the Bahamian people of these contracts.”