House Row Over Public Beaches & Parks Contract

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Minister of Works and Utilities Alfred Sears alleging in Parliament today that questionable contracts were issued in the weeks leading up to the General Election.

His revelation prompted former Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority Executive Chairman Shanendon Cartwright to go on the defense. This, as golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller also leveled heated accusations.

Jasmin Brown reports

The St. Barnabas and Golden Isles MPs went head-to-head moments after Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears dropped this bombshell about contracts being issued by the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority.

Sears told Parliamentarians he got that information during a meeting on Friday.

He also claimed that shortly before the September 16th election all of the contracts were renewed but some of the contractors had not performed satisfactorily.

Sears added, they also found there were duplications of contracts and that some of the contracts that were issued had not been communicated to the accounts department.

His comments did not sit well with Cartwright.

Cartwright insisted he has always tried to be fair but there may have been things that could have been done better.

He further denied the accusations saying he never sought to play politics while in office and his reputation reflects that.

In the meantime, Sears says when a new board is appointed, they will look further into the matter and a full report will be given.