{"id":31235,"date":"2023-11-23T23:10:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T04:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev?p=31235"},"modified":"2023-11-23T18:24:49","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T23:24:49","slug":"pintard-criticizes-government-over-saudi-loan-and-non-compliance-with-procurement-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-criticizes-government-over-saudi-loan-and-non-compliance-with-procurement-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Pintard criticizes government over Saudi Loan and non-compliance with Procurement Act"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bahamas<\/p>\n

NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2013 Opposition leader Michael Pintard is slamming the Davis administration over recent comments regarding a $70 million Saudi loan and the government\u2019s delay in complying with the Procurement Act.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pintard said in a statement, \u201cInstead of doing the right thing and offering a heartfelt apology for them breaking the law yet again by having the Minister of Tourism illegally enter a loan agreement, Minister Michael Halkitis\u2014 according to press reports\u2014doubled down by suggesting that Deputy Prime Minister Cooper was the Acting Minister of Finance at the time he reportedly signed the $70 loan agreement for the airport in Exuma.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cMinister Halkitis, like every Bahamian, knows that the DPM only acts as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on occasions when the PM is out of the country and, importantly, when the DPM himself is inside The Bahamas. This was not the case in this instance. So please, do not attempt to insult the Bahamian people with that nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n

The loan signed with the Saudi Fund for Development is said to be part of the strategic plan to develop a portfolio of Family Island Airports, in line with the Family Island Airport Renaissance Project.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0The loan agreement signed on September 27th will facilitate the redevelopment of the Exuma Airport infrastructure, as a part of Phase I of the comprehensive plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe remind the PLP and the public that Section 16 (2)(a) and Section 17 of the Debt Management Act state that ONLY the Minister of Finance is permitted to sign a loan agreement binding the government and that he cannot delegate this to the DPM or any other person. The PLP breaks the law and then seeks to double down on their deception when caught. Again, we demand that the government publish the signed agreement in full,\u201d Pintard asserted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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more<\/a><\/p>\n

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Minister Halkitis also stated at a recent press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister that the government should be compliant with the Procurement Act\u2019s requirement to be transparent about contract awards before the end of the year.<\/p>\n

The law requires the government to disclose the name and address of winning bidders, the procuring entity, the procurement selection method, and the award amount within 60 days of the contract award.<\/p>\n

Pintard stated, \u201cAfter time and again promising that they will begin obeying the law, they are telling the public that the competent, capable senior public officers in the various government agencies cannot put together a simple spreadsheet with the details of the contracts approved by their departments and then publish that online and in the newspapers. These are the same public officers who have posted notices online and in the press almost daily for years.\u00a0We beg Minister Halkitis and the PLP to stop trying to denigrate the professionals in the public service. We know they can follow the law and publish this information relatively easily. We remind the government that the boards of public corporations and all of the state-owned enterprises should be posting the details of their contracts over $25,000, and we do not see evidence that any of them are complying with the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

He further questioned, \u201cWhat is stopping the Prime Minister from publishing the first annual procurement report due October 2022? He stated eight months ago that we would get it imminently. Are there things in that report he wants to keep hidden? Why doesn\u2019t the Prime Minister want to tell the Bahamian people how he and his team have been spending the Bahamian people\u2019s money as required by law?\u00a0When the information is eventually released, the Opposition believes that the public will find out that this PLP administration has given millions and millions of dollars in no-bid contracts to its cronies and hangers-on, likely for jobs that should have been subject to competitive bidding. Why else would the excuses persist?\u201d<\/p>\n

more<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Image:\u00a0 pexels-sora-shimazaki-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2013 Opposition leader Michael Pintard is slamming the Davis administration over recent comments regarding a $70 million Saudi loan and the government\u2019s delay in complying with the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":29495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[250],"tags":[166,286,71],"class_list":["post-31235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-articles","tag-bahamas","tag-banking-finance","tag-procurement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5673488-scaled-e1692322490716.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-87N","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31240,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-publish-procurement-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":31235,"position":0},"title":"Pintard: Publish procurement report","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard yesterday called on the Davis administration to follow the law\u00a0and report on the millions of dollars worth of contracts it has awarded. \u201cWhat is stopping the prime minister from publishing the first annual procurement report due October 2022?\u201d Pintard asked in a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668858-scaled-e1699564529399.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24162,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/bahamas-newsdavis-says-govt-will-bring-procurement-law-amendments-after-break\/","url_meta":{"origin":31235,"position":1},"title":"Davis says Gov\u2019t Will Bring Procurement Law Amendments After Break","author":"Michele Marius","date":"September 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas \u00a0 After parliament returns from recess, amendments to the Public Procurement Act will be brought to the House of Assembly \u2013 that is the word from Bahamas\u2019 Prime Minister, Philip Davis. The Public Procurement Act, which was passed last year, is an act to provide the framework and procedures\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-pixabay-159832-scaled-e1663282869785.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-pixabay-159832-scaled-e1663282869785.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-pixabay-159832-scaled-e1663282869785.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pexels-pixabay-159832-scaled-e1663282869785.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31228,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/incomplete-pintard-slams-governments-procurement-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":31235,"position":2},"title":"INCOMPLETE: Pintard slams government\u2019s procurement report","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas NASSAU, BAHAMAS \u2014 The Opposition has slammed the government for releasing what it described as an \u201cincomplete\u201d procurement report, arguing that it simply does not provide the requisite information legally required.\u00a0 Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard in a statement: \u201cThis Davis-led PLP never fails to underwhelm and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4559555-scaled-e1700781223855.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22950,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/govts-flat-out-concealing-millions-in-contract-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":31235,"position":3},"title":"Gov\u2019ts \u2018flat-out concealing\u2019 millions in contract awards","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"July 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas The Opposition\u2019s leader yesterday hit back at the Davis administration for \u201cflat-out concealing\u201d millions of dollars in contracts it has concluded\u00a0since taking office by failing to comply with the Public Procurement Act. Michael Pintard, the Marco City MP and former Cabinet minister, accused the Prime Minister of applying \u201cdifferent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4968573-scaled-e1655473594837.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29971,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-criticizes-govt-for-roof-collapse\/","url_meta":{"origin":31235,"position":4},"title":"Pintard Criticizes Gov\u2019t for Roof Collapse","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas Official Opposition Leader Michael Pintard slammed Prime Minister Philip Davis and Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears over the debacle of an unfinished roof collapsing on a building on the campus of the R.M. Bailey Senior High School earlier this month and characterized comments made by both an \u201castounding\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pexels-pixabay-48882-scaled-e1694731439718.jpg?fit=1024%2C678&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35025,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/pintard-condemns-blatant-disregard-for-procurement-laws-in-bpl-reform-process\/","url_meta":{"origin":31235,"position":5},"title":"Pintard condemns \u201cblatant disregard\u201d for procurement laws in BPL reform process","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"July 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Bahamas Opposition Leader Michael Pintard raised concerns yesterday regarding the Davis administration\u2019s energy reform exercise, arguing that while some elements underwent competitive bidding, other critical aspects blatantly disregarded procurement laws. 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