Marvin Dames security firm won contract while he was Minister

Former Minister of National Security Marvin Dames is facing criticism for his hypocrisy after he raised concerns about a senior police officer’s private security firm receiving government contracts.

The controversy stems from Dames’ own involvement with his private security company, The Dames Group, which secured a major contract during his time in office.

In 2019, while Dames was serving as Minister of National Security, his ministry reviewed the application of reggae artist Buju Banton to determine if he was a fit and proper person to enter The Bahamas after having served extensive time in a federal prison on a drug trafficking conviction. Dames’ security firm, The Dames Group, was then given the security contract for the Buju concert after his ministry offered no objection to the Jamaican artist being allowed entrance to The Bahamas to perform.

At the time, Dames held significant authority over national security matters, leading critics to question whether this posed a conflict of interest.

Dames is the president and CEO of the Dames Group, which was incorporated in 2015.

Dames continued to renew the license of his private security firm throughout his four-year tenure as minister, which ended after the Free National Movement lost the 2021 General Election.

Dames’ recent comments regarding the contracts of a senior police officer have brought these questions to the forefront.

Before being promoted to a more senior position, the officer asked for his government contracts to be canceled, a request that was supported by Prime Minister Philip Davis.

However, Dames’ vocal disapproval of the officer’s situation has drawn attention to the apparent double standard, given his own firm’s contracts during his time as minister.

Dames’ public stance on the issue reveals a troubling inconsistency, as his own actions as a public official seem to conflict with the standards he is now advocating for now that he is in Opposition.