Dr. Minnis, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), responded to today’s news regarding the failure of several PLP ministers to table audits of their institutions or agencies, issuing the following statement:
“This Government has shown a wanton disregard for transparency, accountability and the rule of law. So while disappointing, unfortunately it is not surprising that several institutions and agencies of this Government have repeatedly failed to table their annual financial audits as is required by law.”
“The law requiring annual audits of government expenditures is there so as to provide transparency and accountability from every level of government. But we can have neither, when this Government operates in the shadows and all but ignores the law. How are the people to know what their government is doing?”
“Clearly – both in action and in their words – the PLP has shown it does not want Bahamians empowered to hold this Government accountable. How can these six Ministers continue to be allowed to act outside the laws?”
“The Auditor General’s reports on the Department of Social Services and the Road Traffic Department confirm that corruption has seeped into every level of government under this PLP government. So what are the people to conclude when they learn that Ministers have not tabled audits for years as is required? What are they hiding from the public? Where is the accountability?”
“Under the next FNM Government audits will be completed and tabled when they are supposed to. We will bring true leadership – which requires transparency and accountability – back to The Bahamas.”
