Cannonier Calls For Investigation Of Contract
OBA MP Craig Cannonier has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the multi-million dollar contract for the National Sports Centre, saying he “seeks answers to some very disturbing questions about the contract, the loan, and the Government guarantee.”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Cannonier — the Shadow Minister of Works & Engineering & Tourism — said, “Good afternoon Bermuda, I am here this afternoon to raise with the public a very serious issue of concern.
“This concern involves a multi-million dollar contract for the Bermuda National Sports Centre and a multi-million dollar loan that has been given to the National Sports Centre and has been guaranteed by the Bermuda Government.
“My statement today is not intended to accuse anyone, but seeks answers to some very disturbing questions about the contract, the loan, and the Government guarantee.
“The National Sports Centre is managed by a small board of trustees. there are only six of them.
“One of these six trustees has now resigned and called for an internal investigation into how the loan and Government guarantee were obtained.
“This trustee has alleged that the board of trustees never requested or approved the loan to the National Sports Centre.
“However, someone went ahead and arranged for a loan and the contractor in question has apparently drawn down significant monies from the loan facility to the Sports Centre.
“The contractor also appears to have secured a $12,000 monthly payment for the next 10 years.
“The trustee who has resigned properly raised these concerns with the permanent secretary of the Ministry Of Youth, Culture and Sport.
“The trustee properly demanded an internal investigation into these serious concerns.
“The Permanent Secretary confirmed that an investigation would be carried out and that the Ministry was not aware of the significant monies that had been draw down by the contractor from the loan to the Sports Centre.
“It unclear whether any investigation has in fact occurred.
“An investigation must happen now.
“There are a number of questions that must be answered:
- [1] “If the board of trustees was unaware of the loan, then who took out the loan in the name of the National Sports Centre?
- [2] “What was the bank told about the lack of authorization by the board of trustees?
- [3] “Who signed the loan agreement on behalf of the National Sports Centre as borrower?
- [4] “Given that the Bermuda Government was the guarantor of this loan, did the Cabinet formally approve the transaction?
- [5] “How can a loan have been granted to the Sports Centre when the board of trustees never authorized any loan?
- [6] “What is the position of the remaining five trustees? they must make their position clear to the public.
- [7] “Why are allegations being made by a trustee that the loan agreement was fraudulent?
- [8] “Why is this project being progressed at all when the government is in such economic dire straits?
- [9] “Why is the Sports Centre entering into multi-million dollar contracts when the National Sports Centre has no funds to support or repay the monies being loaned?
“We owe it to the taxpayers to ensure that no further monies will be lost until we get to the bottom of this mess. Today, I call upon the Government to immediately halt the contract for works at the Sports Centre.
“We need an immediate investigation into how some $6 million of Bermudian taxpayers’ money has been put at risk, apparently without any authorization by the board of trustees,” Mr Cannonier.
We asked the Government for a response last night and will update as able.
this guy. LOL.
What was the outcome of Jetgate? Remind me!
Dr. Brown gave his friend who owned the jet Millions of dollars of taxpayer money to market our tourism with no tendering process. No body cared and Dr. Brown lived happily ever after in a place called Martha’s Vineyard.
OK government, let’s just simply answer the questions so that we can move forward with the next contract award. Perhaps the contract will reduce the cost of electricity for the next 20 years, but that’s not one of the questions being asked.
Isn’t it strange that people marched, kicked and screamed because Mr. Cannonier got on the private jet of a person that he was in talks with. He ultimately ended up resigning even though no contract or deal was ever made and not a single dollar changed hands!
But when the PLP do it, it is okay? Someone please explain why you marched against Mr. Cannoniers flight but not Dr. Browns?
To the “non-political” group called the “Peoples Campaign” that coincidentally disappeared once the PLP were elected, please let us know what time the march is?
I am glad to see the opposition make some sense. Please keep it up!
what is this guy playing at m8?
But Jache said it was all cool.
It didn’t take him long to figure out how to make a beeline for the trough did it?
These are very good questions. If the Board of Trustees were unaware of the loan who then signed the paperwork on their behalf? Why is the contractor being paid $12,000 a month for 10 years? What was the bank’s involvement in all this?
2 Wrongs don’t make it right.. since we have this .. TRANSPARENT.. Public Statement (Allegation-s).. Let’s keep the ball rolling.. Let’s be Clear / Transparent…All The Way
The 40 thieves ran these Islands for their own benefit for hundreds of years, why should the PLP Government be different?