Deputy PM's admission over contract 'a constitutional crisis'
tribune242
Nassau, The Bahamas
THE admission by Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette that his family has an interest in a company awarded a government contract has placed the country in a "constitutional crisis", claims former Cabinet minister and Exuma MP George Smith.
Mr Smith said that according to article 49 of the constitution, a member of the House of Assembly must resign his seat if he becomes interested in a government contract.
He said an exception can only be made if the MP did not know he had become interested in such a contract, or if he formally disclosed the interest to the House and asks Parliament for an exemption.
This should take place "while he is still only interested in such a contract, and before it is actually entered into," according to Mr Smith.
"That is enshrined in the constitution, our most sacred document."
Mr Smith's comments echo those of another former PLP Cabinet minister, Loftus Roker, who said the deputy prime minister should resign or be fired for the appearance of a conflict of interest. The row comes after comments Mr Symonette made about his family's interest in Bahamas Hot Mix, the company awarded the contract to pave roads under the New Providence Road Improvement Project.
Road works
Mr Roker, a former minister of Immigration in Pindling administration, said: "I believe Mr Symonette, (the) deputy prime minister who is one heartbeat away from leader of this country, is in conflict of interest insofar as these road works are concerned.
"As a minister he is restricted in the jobs he can have in this country. He is not like anyone else and he chose to be a minister, nobody put a gun to his head to make him a minister.
"Mr Symonette should resign as minister before (Prime Minister) Hubert Ingraham is forced to fire him because on his own words, in my view, he is in conflict of interest".
In response, Mr Symonette said the call for his resignation was an "election attack" by the PLP.
"The PLP operatives have decided to target me. Don't come with this foolishness just because election time is coming. The PLP operatives are obviously starting their attack on me because they're scared they have nothing else to hang their election hat on and come back to same old tactics they had years ago, he said.
Last week he explained his connection to Bahamas Hot Mix and said his family's interest in the company has been public knowledge for years.
"I do not own any share in that company. The shares are owned by my children's trust, but that is public knowledge. I have investments in many companies in this country. Does that mean that I should not enter politics? I don't think so," Mr Symonette said.
"Bahamas Hot Mix got the contract, not because of me but because they are recognised and well-known road builders in the Bahamas. They are qualified to get the job. If there is a bidding process should they not bid? I am a Bahamian and I am entitled to jobs in the Bahamas just like everyone else."
Shareholder
He added: "Yes, I happen to be a shareholder but I am a shareholder in many companies. So because I have personal wealth does that mean I cannot be a Member of Parliament? Why is he attacking me? There were ministers under the PLP government who got contracts that could be called 'special interest' but no one made a big deal about that."
Mr Symonette has also publicly said his family's connection to the company is not a conflict of interest.
September 19, 2011
tribune242
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