Former FNM Ministers Defend Food Task Force

Two former cabinet ministers are defending the National Food Distribution Task Force following claims there are no records of how much was spent or where the money went.

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard says it’s just a distraction from the Dubai trip controversy.

Free National Movement members defending the National Food Distribution Task Force and according to Former Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell all transactions were transparent. He said he’s satisfied that an account can be given from both the task force and the Ministry of Finance. Campbell also said he is pleased that the task force was able to assist Bahamians throughout the islands.

Financial Secretary Simon Wilson said the government had no information on files concerning the task force. The discovery came during the Ministry of Finance’s initial review of the Minnis administration’s spending during the state of emergency, which lasted from March 2020 to November 2021.

FNM leader Michael Pintard also weighed in. Pintard said there are cabinet papers that would reveal details like how much was allocated.

Communications Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Latrae Rahming said $9.1 million was paid to an NGO that didn’t appear to be an NGO engaged with the task force. However, Pintard said the figure revealed by Rahming was likely for distribution efforts on Grand Bahama. He’s questioning if this is a distraction from the political firestorm surrounding The Bahamas’ presence at World Expo 2020.

Pegged at around $54 million, the task force offered assistance for more than 70 weeks. At one point, at least 57,000 households were depending on food assistance.

Campbell isn’t happy that the program was suspended while the need is still great.