Rick Lowe
There are whispers that a conflict of interest arises for Mr. Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister where Bahamas Hot Mix is concerned because his children own a small shareholding in Trust.
Bahamas Hot Mix was awarded a contract for road works and one must assume it bid on the job as outlined by the government and it's tender process. As long as the rules were followed there is no room for claiming a conflict of interest.
In addition to this, how many road builders exist here that can construct asphalt paved highways to internationally recognized standards? Maybe two. Knowles Construction and Development and Bahamas Hot Mix. And both companies have been awarded contracts by successive governments over the years.
If the dissenters can show where the bid process was flawed they might have something worth writing about. But as long as the requirements were met, the story is a non-starter.
In the final, I do not think Mr. Symonette has committed a breach of any law or regulations.
I agree with the thought that no award manipulation is automatic with contracts such as this. However it is ‘common knowledge” that a lack of transparency continues to exist, and this will create a perception in the public mind of contract award meddling and political favouritism. The answer of course is open government where the skeptical public will have access to all relevant information.
Rick:
Those who are making so much about the road contracts are envious of Mr. Symonette’s financial as well as political success and are painting him the the same “Tar Brush” as what they would do if they were in his position.