Minister Furbert’s Trip To Florida Cost $5,037
A trip in April 2024 by Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert to Miami, Florida cost $5,037.00, according to a recent listing on the Government’s travel webpage.
The trip duration was listed as from April 4, 2024 – April 11, 2024, and the web page listing said, “The Hon Wayne Furbert, JP MP, Minister of Transport attended the Seatrade Global Cruise Conference in Miami Florida form April 4th through 11th 2024. The Minister was accompanied by the Section Head of Transport. Also attending the conference were representatives from the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
“The Minister of Transport engaged with key stakeholders, industry leaders and decision-makers, fostering valuable relationships critical for future collaborations and partnerships.”
Expenses
- Air Travel: $720.00
- Ground Transportation: $907.00
- Accommodation: $2,920.00
- Meals: $394.00
- Miscellaneous: $96.00
- Total costs: $5,037.00
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Looks like Flip Flop travelled in economy class, could make his fellow minsters look bad. Shame about taking limos everywhere, though, for $907. Has the big Flipper not heard of Uber?
“The trip duration was listed as from April 4, 2024 – April 11, 2024.”
Fact check: The Seatrade Cruise Global Miami was April 8-11, 2024.
What did Bermuda’s representative(s) do from April 4-7??? (assuming April 8-11 100% of the time at the Seatrade event and flying back to Bermuda on the 11th) Inquiring minds want to know. A quick search shows Major events include:
- Liv Golf Miami: April 5-7
- Madonna – The Celebration Tour: April 6-9
- Theater Up Close Cabaret: to Apr 7
- National Beer Day: April 7
- Key Biscayne Half Marathon: April 7
- Miami Beach Pride: April 1-14
- Miami Film Festival: April 5-14
My man Wayne is slipping. Only $720 for airfare? Stuck in coach!!! Oh, the pain!
Ground Transportation: $907.00 – But at that price, it looks like a limo service instead of Uber, the bus, or the Monorail. My man Wayne never disappoints.
PLP Cabinet Ministers usually get free upgrades.
You may recall that around 20 years ago a former premier complained that Cabinet Ministers got free upgrades when the UBP was in power and made veiled threats if the PLP Government was not given free upgrades when traveling.
“PLP Cabinet Ministers usually get free upgrades.” Please turn over your proof of that claim to the Attorney General for investigation. I should not have to explain the reasons why.
Perhaps the Government’s official policy 20 years ago, and still today, was/is to book a Coach seat when available with the option for First Class if the peon section was full. Or if the seating available did not fit the travel requirements of the Minister. For example, no middle seats – ever, therefore, I must fly First Class. There is no Government policy time requirement for booking tickets in advance to take advantage of discounted rates.
A few years ago, I contacted all the airlines servicing Bermuda to inquire about negotiating a Government discount on tickets, as the airlines do in the USA. I had the data to discuss the discount intelligently. Every contact laughed at me because Bermuda is not a competitive market. We pay through the nose.
My man Wayne does not book a coach ticket in the hope of getting an upgrade. That is true for other Ministers. First Class on flights in and out of Bermuda is almost always booked, leaving zero seats available for an upgrade to accommodate a Minister’s travel plans.
I have not had a free upgrade in years. Pre covid, to plan a trip to Las Vegas, I called Delta to find out the best times and routes to fly that increased the likelihood of a free upgrade. Using that information, I booked the hotel and purchased the tickets. We lucked out and took routes that I normally would not use. Our tickets were upgraded on the departure days. Flying First Class is wonderful.
“Please turn over your proof of that claim to the Attorney General for investigation”
It was widely reported.
As for the Attorney-General investigating claims, I think you mean the Bermuda Police Service. The Attorney-General is a current Cabinet Minister.
Lots of things are “widely reported.” Who were the witnesses and if the allegations were true, why did the witnesses not report what they knew? If no alleged crime is even reported to the appropriate authorities, the allegations, which may be true, are moot.
No, the Attorney General’s office would control the investigation of accusations at an international level about Ministers and have the clout to deal with the airlines. If you feel the AG’s office is not up to the task, then go knock on the Governor’s door and present your evidence. The Brits took down the government of the Turks & Caicos for corruption in what, August 2009???
The bottom line is that talk is cheap and not worth the paper it is printed on.
“Who were the witnesses”
The reporters to whom the Premier spoke.
And yet not one reporter reported any alleged crime.
No one from the BPS reads newspapers.
No one from the Auditor General’s office reads newspapers.
No one from the Attorney General’s office reads newspapers.
No one from the Governor’s office reads newspapers.
You read newspapers and reported nothing to any authority.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
After 20 years, YOU still have done nothing. Why bring up the past? Submit PATI requests to the Information Officers for the Big Guy and each Minister for travel records including receipts, when plane and hotel reservations were booked, what Ministers did, who they met, etc. All contacts are on the ICO’s webpage: Public Authorities, Information Officers & Heads of Public Authorities
I am very curious about the Ground Transportation costs. One limo per person?
As I said before, you display great knowledge of politics and the Government. Put all that knowledge to good use.
I look forward to seeing a story or perhaps a series of stories, one for the Big Guy, one per Minister, of what you discover.
$900 on ground transport??!! How did he manage that??
Joker