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MP Philip ‘Brave’ Davis exposes NIB’s Conflict of Interest in Parliament today listen
Nassau, Bahamas — While some people are catching hell and are struggling to keep their jobs in the Bahamas, there are others having all the luck in the world. The connected and those who hang around people of power and influence are sleeping under the same roof; getting it all.
The National Insurance Board could be seeing hauling before the courts persons for failing to pay NIB contributions; well today the shoe is on the other foot, and we have a story for you.
Bahamas Press has once again uncovered another SHOCKING REVELATION. You would remember we reported some shocking news coming out of the National Insurance Board early last month. In an initial report, we told you about the ‘BUFFED ROOMMATE’ of NIB’s former minister, Kenneth Russell and the couple’s close relationship.
Readers would remember Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham quietly removed Russell from NIB. Members of the public never knew why. However, today Bahamas Press will reveal more into the SHADY/SCANDALOUS intercourse of the minister while at NIB.
Bahamas Press, while checking our congested garbage tins, came across a contractual document, which shed more light into Russell’s quiet removal.
NIB issued a contract in the amount of $232,500 to Lewis Architectural Services to commence the design for the Sandilands Rehab Centre – Robert Smith Child & Adolescents and Special Education Unit. The owner of the company [Lewis Architectural Services] is the same Iram Lewis, who is the “BUFFED ROOMMATE” of the former NIB minister.
Contractual agreements now in the possession of Bahamas Press and published in this story reveals Lewis received an advance payment on February 5th, 2009, of $40,000 with NIB agreeing to pay outside the total sum of $232,500 additional expenses including, printing of documents, drawings, maps and records, telegrams, faxes, telephone calls, travelling expenses, hotel accommodations, advertising for tenders and site staff and additional service costs.
The contract also confirmed the Director of NIB, Algernon Cargill, approved the initial payment [Part #1] to Lewis. We also know two members of the board of directors approved the contract and stood in agreement with it. Nevertheless, that’s not the story.
Lewis who lives in the condo with Kenneth Russell and is contracted by NIB as a Consultant is also awarded a second contract by same Board, he advises? THIS IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST OF THE HIGHEST ORDER!!!
Bahamas Press can also confirm that both Board members approving the contract along with NIB Director were all fully aware of the fact that Lewis is currently paid a whooping $80,000 plus perks annually for consultant services. If this is how the CHEESE OPERATORS are watching the cheese at NIB then it is certain the fund will be in jeopardy for future generations.
We now, therefore, pose several questions to the current minister of finance with responsibility for NIB, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham:
- 1) Why wasn’t a tender issued for the contract of architectural work on the Sandilands Rehab Centre – Robert Smith Child & Adolescents and Special Education Unit?
- 2) Were you made aware that the contract to design the facility was given to the roommate of a member of a Cabinet namely Kenneth Russell, and if so when?
- 3) Was your Cabinet made aware of this expenditure of $232,500 to a roommate of a fellow Cabinet Minister and if so how was such a contract approved by the Cabinet of the Bahamas without going to public tender?
- 4) Is the Prime Minister also aware of Lewis’ consultant contract with NIB for an annual salary of $80,000 and is he also aware of Lewis’ second contract job of overseeing the construction of the National Stadium?
- 5) Can the Prime Minister tell us whether he still has confidence in the leadership at NIB? And since Russell was removed will others operating in a cloud of such secrecy at NIB also be removed?
At the swearing-in ceremony of government ministers back in 2007 Ingraham said the following, “I commend to you the seven principles of public life as presented in Manifesto 07. They are selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.” We, therefore, ask the Prime Minister in looking at this developing revelation coming out of NIB has Russell broken any of these principals, and if he has, what are the consequences?
We need Change!
Prime Minister orders NIB to respond to the charges against them; Conflicts of Interest. Kenneth Russell seen here alongside the PM was twitching all morning as the matters all point to him and his ‘Buffed Roommate’ Iram Lewis. Below is the cheque paid to Lewis on Feb. 5th, 2009 to commence architectural work.
@bahngr
Well he could play dumb all he wishes
Bahamas Press coming with the information and we promise it will be offload like a ton a bricks.
Bahamas Press/Editor
BP is it not the job of the Minister responsible to answer questions put forward in Parliament? Why is the current Minister responsible for NIB, one HAI, playing dumb and talking about NIB executive answering? Why is the PLP allowing hinm to get away with it?
BP I never said anything about what happens to me in the night. It ain’t that kind o’ party. However,the humour which I expressed should not diminish the seriousness and level of compromise which the prevalence of gays brings to our institutions. We will never know why certain positions cannot be taken and why our officials seem so impotent in the face of opposition when it comes to looking after our countries best interest.
Omar this is nothing new about Brown. Look into the pruchase of computers for the PMH many many years ago. A system paid for but never operated by the hospital…and more
The last time I openly called names I was kicked off a Talk Show, lol. So I’ll just say this. Let the chips fall where they may who ever gets caught up in it is not worthy of a dog’s forgiveness. This one ain’t gettin off like Tex Turnquest, this one going to jail. This is blatant corruption. PM Hubert Ingraham is quite aware of what’s going on, he just playin silly.
Isn’t he director of something???
Omar are you suggesting that Mr. H Brown is liable for mis appropriating the Governments money??????????????????????????????????????
Whereas this is serious exposure of unethical practices by those involved, this is a joke as to what is going on at P.H.A. Imagine this: Government Purchase Orders being used to purchase materials to build homes for your sweethearts. This person also set up a business in Florida and he has P.H.A ordering medical supplies from his company. He has been stealing millions for years. He is actually one of Hubert Ingraham’s close friends. Here’s a hint: H.B.
@Tink we fool
What I find distasteful is people abusing the public purse with no conscience and getting away with it, while other people are hurt in this country. It makes me sick to my stomach to see the bunch of foolishness we allow these wicked politicians to get away with.
@ kim sands i agree with you its like freedie case how do people know 0f such details………but that info dont develop the country or pay bills we van know bout impropriety involving the people money das all
tanks tanks fah yinna insight on sexual prefrence but leave that to Dr ruth Bp need to start a new site fah dem what wan discuss lewd and lucidous behaviour haha
@civil thinker bad things happen when good people do nothing so you ga just read from the side ech the doctor may just need a checkup or more appropriatley to be checked we dealin with issue not tabloid talk
I’m utilizing my right and withdrawing from this debate. This has becom distasteful.
well lord wat is dis. luk like dis sissyenn been gern on wid dese granbahama fellas longer dan vee tink…. i hearin all deses gb big shots is sir jack gal includin a very prominant babtissss full gospull minister down dere too.. hmmm vee ga talk but dattt later.
The man sexual preference really shouldn’t be any of our concern, who are we to tell people who to live with and who to love? Most of us should be able to understand that sometimes, when a person is in a relationship they might want to do something extra special to impress the person who they are in involved with, I am sure we have all been there and can easily relate to that. Why should anybody have a problem if Kenneth is using his own monies to take care of this boy toy? If that is what makes him happy, that’s his business. Now if he is stealing from the public purse to please this man, I think he should be removed from public office and arrested. We have persons who are productive members of our society and have been making positive contributions for years by providing jobs to so many people in the country and still continues to do so during these hard economic times are being arrested and dragged before courts for failure to make NIB contributions, when you have people here doing foolishness with the money, Why shouldn’t their azz be dragged before the courts as well?
Mr/ Mrs C doctor, Please understand that sexuality is not what is being weighed in the balance and wanting here; it is integrity and the trust of the Bahamian people. In my view the Prime Minister of the Bahamas not the leader of the FNM needs to ensure that the pillow and bedrock of our security is not criminally compromised. Sir Clifford worked to hard to cause National Insurance to be realized; it should not be squandered by “vicked” infedils…
Mr Ingraham should do the right thing and caused those who are liable for such unpatriotic and fellionious acts to be removed from public office forthwith. The right thing should be seen to be done in the face of the Bahamian people.
Well if the truth be told let’s not forget before all of this scandelous allegations began to loom about KR, he was Ingrahams weekend getaway fishing partner. What’s the matter Hube, don’t wanna travel with KR anymore?…
All ya’ll is a bunch a SISSYS!!!!!!!
Stop, Review and Cancel is the order of the day. TRUST Papa!
@bahngr
That is not the point. Our point to you is this, whatever happens to you in the night, DO NOT BRING IT ON BAHAMAS PRESS. WE ARE NOT IN THE BUSINESS of publishing your sexuality to the world!
Bahamas Press/Editor
We will not we are NOT in the business of banning and blocking anyone like CARL BETHEL, we are however all about keeping the air clean on BP.
Bahamas Press/Editor
Can’t stand all this politically correct talk about gays. Please call a spade a spade or should that be a blade a blade???
LOL BP don’t ban me yet…please!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Bahngr”, that kind of language is “UNACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE” on Bahamas Press. I also advise the “Doctor” whatever you get in the middle of the night, please for heaven’s sake, keep it there. BP is rated G!
Bahamas Press/Editor
@Russell Johnson
Just saw KR at Texaco West Bay a little after 2 and he was acting strange he did not wait to be served but pulled off with his $20 gas money in his hand.
At the time I did not know of these events taking place in the house but now it all makes sense.
I need the help of someone who knows about parliamentary customs and convention.
How can the minister responsible for an agency (Prime Minister- NIB)on hearing charges made in the House of Assembly about that agency; say that he will let the managers of NIB answer publicly.
Is it not the responsibility of the minister to answer? How can he pass the buck down? If anything, he should get the information from the management and then HE should answer publicly in the House of Assembly!
Dear Johnny, in these peralis times in which we live don’t expect to see every soft person quaming down the street with their shirt tied. NO no!! they wear coat suits like me and you, some of them have more bass in their voice that me and you and, some of them are more bigety than me and you.
In this modern era, we simply say they are metro-sexual…. meaning they have a soft side or female tendancies…. There are so many men of high stature who are metro in this country til it will make you faint… now you perhaps understand why Sodom and Gomorah was destroyed…..
The Bahamian people deserves a new Government at once!!!!!!!
First and foremost, thank you BP for the real investigative journalism. I am recommending you for an Annual Cacique Award. Second, the not so Honorable Kenneth Russell should resign forthwith. Thirdly, why are their so much former athlete consultants at NIB? Fourthly, who is monitoring the various contracts at NIB, it is reported that even corruption exist in the Auditing Department from its head to the Audit Investigators. Who was the Architecture before Lewis Architectural Services took over from. Why didn’t former SIB officer Sgt. Popal in NIB facilities department report this to the PM, who placed him there?
This is getting oh so sweet as both Gibson and Davis indicated that they have more information which will not released until the lying spin doctors at NIB show their full intent.Sibnce I have momnry in the NIB fund I will wait to see what is happening but better still am prepared to go there and demand of the executives what is happening.From the look on Russells face I doubt that would be needed as tissue paper flying off the shelves right now.Another option of those accused is to wear pampers as when the pressure comes fluid flows easily. Another Cabinet Minister bites the dust and there is nothing anyone can do about it.Shane has plenty ammunition and my man Brave reminds me of Sir Cecil in criminal matters where he knows all the answers but just waits to swoop like an eagle and devour the prey.All cookie jar monsters beware,PAPA now has reasons to fire but with the stink get the General Elections bus ready.PAPA already fire the Commisioner of Police,that Turnquest man from lands with more PSs to follow,hapless Johnley Ferguson,crybaby Ivoine,wannabe Leader Tommy T will also need pampers.What is PAPA up to?something big brewing.
Sources deep at NIB tell us the Prime Minister has made three calls already for the morning at the NIB headquarters. NIB has now turned into a factory of lies. We warn NIB to tell the truth for there is much more where this is.
Bahamas Press/Editor
@AltecThe reason why this happens is because the first thing HAI did was consolidate the Tribune, Guardian and Freeport News, gave them all the radio licenses they needed to spread their propaganda, they are moving like FOX-TV now, the Bahamas have now move to the first world of slander news and turn ya back on the real story news reporters, watch how they handled the last election slander on the PLP, just throw it out there, no need for proof.
Anyone notice that whenever the FNM taking licks in Parliament, ZNS online stream goes down and you can not listen via internet?
@Russell Johnson
RJ, i done tell yall that Kenneth is to the point where he doesnt care anymore. i will be surprised if he even runs again when the next general election is called. He is like that old mingy potcake dog you see on the road just slowly crawling looking for some place to lay down and die.
@Forrester J Carroll J.P
Forrester, it will be swept under the carpet because the media in this country has all decided to look the other way. Had those men been PLP cabinet ministers or ex FNM’s who stood up to HAI, all of these stories would have been front page stories in all the newspapers.
Like i have said before, you have to be a fool not to see the blatant media bias in this country. Thats why the corruption label only sticks to the PLP and not the FNM. The FNM’s crap is not brought to the attention of the public because the major media houses have editors that are all FNM supporters.
When was the last time you saw the Tribune or Guardian say something critical of HAI? Isnt it ironic how HAI is the one politician in the Bahamas that they NEVER criticize? Why is that?
BP doesnt get it right all the time, but this site is the closest thing the Bahamas has to real investigative journalism.
Gedt ready GB a head is about to be offered up and all you need do is use hot water to scald the white hair from it.Trust my foot.
I am watching Kenneth Russell on television and he sure looks uncomfortable.Cant wait to see what response the Cargill at NIB will give but Shane laid out a very good case so the only explaination from cargill should be resignation.kenneth Russell who mashed up workers at the Urban renewal office in GB like the outgoing COP is finding that God does not like ugly.Kenneth better resign forthwith as PAPA needs to test the waters with a bye election in GB.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SUCH INCOMPETENCE?
MY VIEW IS THAT THIS CHARACTER IS SUCH A DUMB DUMBO DUMMY, THAT HE REALLY DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO PROTECT HIMSELF AGAINST POTENTIAL SCANDAL; UNLESS, OF COURSE, HE THINKS WE ARE THE DUMB ONES; IF THAT’S THE CASE THEN THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR MANY OF THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS I HAVE IN MY MIND. THERE IS CORRUPTION EVERYWHERE YOU TURN IN AND AROUND THIS GOVERNMENT. THIS WILL ALL BE SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET LIKE ALL THE OTHER SCANDALS. THE NEKO GRANT AFFAIR IN THE SUNSET PARK HERE IN FREEPORT; THE CITY OF FREEPORT CHIEF COUNCILOR AFFAIR; THE KENNETH RUSSELL ARDEN FOREST PARK AFFAIR; THE BRENT SYMONNETTE, BAHAMAS HOT MIX AFFAIR AND ALL THE OTHERS. THEIR ATTITUDE? THEY DON’T OWE ANYONE AN EXPLANATION ON ANYTHING.
I don’t know what is going on with Kenneth Russell and this man, but I would hate to believe he would abuse NIB funds and rob the tax payers for his own personal entertainment. This is awful!!!!
We didn’t know he could be soo crooked and corrupt.
Bahamas Press/Editor
This is a lot of monies to be paying to this buffed roommate, my mind is telling me he was doing more than just flexing his muscles around the house and if he was getting paid that kind of dough, why didn’t he move out and get a home of his own?
I didn’t know Ken Russell was soft!
BP, now you see why everyone wants a government consultant job.
So, am I to conclude that Lewis and Russell are an item?????
There’s too much corruption going on in this little country. So, am I to conclude that Lewis and Russell are an item????
Basically, the contract was awarded to Russell himself, since he and Lewis seem to share everything. Lawd have mercy! NDP, I am giving you guys a look. Secrecy makes an environment ripe for corruption!
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