The chairman stated that the ministers "disgracefully" mismanaged the takeover of the power plant, which he said adds millions of dollars to the escalating losses of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC).
Mr. Roberts said that despite having the two ministers to oversee the affairs of BEC they have demonstrated what he called "gross incompetence" in a simple take over of a small power plant and operations.
He added that the initial blame of BEC losses was placed on the PLP but now he says it is being placed on the Family Island operations.
"Can the good people of our country imagine how these two may botch a major transaction if they are jointly unable to effectively handle this minor one? The massive losses at BEC post 2007 are such an example. But we know they are quick to blame," said Mr. Roberts.
Mr. Roberts pointed out that the island’s Member of Parliament V Alfred Gray informed parliament in June that since BEC had replaced the old Morton Salt electricity in December 2008, no bills were sent to his constituents in Inagua.
He said Minister Neymour response on June 15th was that "it was only a matter of days ago that I stood in this hall, during the debate on the URCA bill and announced that the provision of the electricity and billing in Inagua is still the responsibility of Morton Salt. Mr. Speaker that has not changed.
"What BEC had done was to install modern meters in an effort to continue with the upgrading of the facilities in Inagua. This process began after Inagua was hit by Hurricane Ike. I again ask the member from MICAL to stop this petty politics and be honest with his constituents, just as I was honest with him in these halls and in the Smoker’s room. The employees at BEC are watching and listening to you.
Remember Bahamians vote silently, but their vote speaks loudly," Minister Neymour said.
However, Mr. Roberts said since the installation of BEC meters no billings have been made to customers in Inagua, as Morton Salt Company was unable to read the meters up to this very date.
"Despite being strongly brought to the attention of Ministers Neymour and Deveaux who both failed to addressed the serious dilemma. To date, Ministers Deveaux and Neymour have sat on their hands and done nothing," said Mr. Roberts.
In fact he said to this day customers in Inagua have not been billed going on a year and the estimated billings are said to be over $1million dollars.
"How can the government logically expect the good people of Inagua to pay electricity bills that are in arrears more than a year? And failing that, do they expect the Morton Salt Company to absorb the massive loss due entirely to the failure of an arrogant and incompetent FNM Government?" Mr. Roberts said.
The party chairman said that Morton Salt continued to supply fuel and maintain the plant at the company’s expense and BEC’S chairman executed the final agreement in September.
- Austin DWI - New York DWI