Probe underway into suspicious payments

The Ministry of Finance has opened an investigation into payments made by the Public Parks and Beaches Authority. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis summoned the authority’s chairman Shanendon Cartwright to a meeting today to explain the suspicious payouts to unauthorized vendors.

According to well-placed sources, various contracts and payments to contractors are under scrutiny. In some cases, cheques have been issued for work that hasn’t been done.

The authority’s finance officer had a case of “the belly” after learning that Dr Minnis, who is also Minister of Finance, has questioned the payments that he approved.

The continued raid on public finances by the FNM comes at a time when many are out of work due to the government’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just last week, Lanisha “Cookie Jar” Rolle quit as Minister of Youth and Sports after an audit into contracts at her ministry. Rolle, who had less than $5,000 in the bank in 2017, is building a multimillion dollar home in a luxury gated community.

Cartwright, too, is building a palatial home since coming into office. Like her boss, the chairman’s secretary also has a new home.

The FNM campaigned on the lie that it was “the people’s time.” But as the people are in the brink of homelessness, the FNMs are building new homes.