The Bahamas Prime Minister, The Hon. Philip Edward Davis - as the minister responsible for the Public Procurement Unit, must explain how his administration has committed more than $400M in public Works through no-bid contracts in clear violation of the Public Procurement Act
FREE NATIONAL MOVEMENT, 144 MACKEY STREET, P.O. BOX N-10713 | NASSAU, N.P., THE BAHAMAS - (242) 393-7853
Dr. Duane Sands, Chairman of the Free National Movement: Questions Multiply as Government Cannot Explain $1.56M Contract or Its Own Role in Approving It
The Free National Movement is pleased that our inquiry into the government's $1.56M no-bid contract has finally forced the government to respond. Unfortunately, the explanation offered by the chairman of the Public Procurement Board raises even more troubling questions.
Instead of clarity, the public has been given a justification that defies logic, contradicts basic procurement standards, and deepens concerns about how and why this contract was awarded. There is still no credible explanation for why a contract of this size was handed out without competitive bidding when government personnel reportedly valued the scope of works at no more than $450,000.
If the issue was truly urgent, the chairman's own admission that there was enough time to secure an external valuation proves that there was also enough time to invite capable Bahamian contractors to compete for the job.
This was not an unforeseen emergency. lt was a known problem that could have and should have gone to tender.
We still do not know why the Bahamian taxpayer is carrying the full cost of major repairs in a building where the government is a tenant. The public deserves to know why the landlord is not responsible for these extensive upgrades and remediation works. That basic question remains unanswered.
We also cannot accept the government's attempt to justify why this contract was routed through the Ministry of Finance rather than through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Works, both of which have the mandate and expertise for such matters.
The Public Finance Management Act already gives the Ministry of Finance the authority to reallocate resources to any agency that needs them. The public must ask why the Ministry of Finance became the signatory on a foreign affairs contract, particularly in a procurement environment already clouded by secrecy and political interference.
Now that the Procurement Board has broken its silence, the Prime Minister must answer for the larger pattern this contract represents. As the minister responsible for the Public Procurement Unit, he must explain how his administration has committed more than $400M in public Works through no-bid contracts in clear violation of the Public Procurement Act . The law requires competitive bidding except in narrow circumstances. This government continues to ignore that law and award contracts to hand-picked companies without transparency or accountability.
The Bahamian people deserve to know why these deals continue to be signed behind closed doors. They deserve to know who approves them. They deserve to know who benefits. And they deserve a government that respects the rules instead of bending them to suit political allies.
This contract is not an isolated incident. It is part of a wider culture of mismanagement and insider advantages that has defined the PLP's record. The FNM will continue to demand answers and continue to fight for transparent, accountable procurement practices that protect taxpayers and support fair competition for Bahamian contractors.
December 1, 2025
