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Russell Exposes PLP Ministers Corrupt Practices

Free National Movement High Rock Member of Parliament Kenneth Russell on Thursday 9th June 2005 while making his contribution to the 2005/2006 Budget Debate, exposed what some suggested as corrupt political practises by PLP Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe.

West End and Bimini MP Wilchombe who tries to present the public with a squeaky-clean image, was once again laid bare to the Bahamian people for what may amount to a serious case of conflict of interest. The High Rock MP pointed out in the House of Assembly that Wilchcome, along with several PLP MPs and Cabinet Ministers, now in bed with Bimini Bay developer, Gerardo Capo, a man who, prior to the 2002 election the PLP was were against.

An embarrassed Wilchcombe, according to the records of the House, privately when the House suspended in uproar, threatened the outspoken Member for High Rock.

Mr. Russell reported the matter to the Police.

During his contribution, Mr. Russell pointed out that a group of Cabinet Ministers - the Minister of Works, the Minister of Transport & Aviation, the Minister of Financial Services & Investments, the Minister of Tourism, the Minister for Local Government and the Ambassador for the Environment, went to Bimini on government business and allowed the developer to pay for them.

"And to make matters worse, Capo also paid for the bus ride to the dock and the bus ride over to Bimini," charged Mr. Russell. And how I know that, well, when I landed in Bimini and got on the bus, which drove down to the ferry, a gentlemen from BIS in Freeport asked, if I was with the government's delegation. Just sign right here and everything is paid for," he said.

Mr. Russell stated that he overheard Mr. Capo's son-in-law instructing a tourism official to pass over the information regarding the ferry and bus rides in order for him to have it paid.

"I have to conclude that the only reason they came to Bimini was because Capo instructed them to and he probably told them what to say when they got there," Mr. Russell told the House.

"I can't understand why a group of Ministers and the Ambassador for the Environment going to Bimini on government business allowed the developer to pay for them," he said.

Continued Mr Russell:

"The residents of Bimini always had problems with the Bimini Bay project, and they expected the new Help and Hope government to drastically reduce or cancel the project, but, these same Ministers who were against it are now in bed with the developer.

The concerns the Biminites demonstrated against several weeks ago, that is, the wall and gate, the water supply quality, the employment situation, the overall size of the project and the environmental degradation associated with the project were brought up in this House before and Government showed no concern.

"The Government's Town Meeting to address these problems was nothing more than a praise meeting for the developer and an attempt to appease the residents of Bimini. At the time I "chalked-up my conclusion to politics until the following morning when I found out that the developer Mr. Capo brought the Ministers to Bimini on his own plane and a second plane chartered by him. Capo even paid the $10.00 each for the ferry and bus rides."