The comments made by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham with regards to the controversial actions of Zhivago Laing Minister of State for Finance, was hypocritical, insulting and disgraceful. For the Prime Minister of the Bahamas to unequivocally say that he see’s nothing wrong with the actions of Mr. Laing is totally unacceptable. From the comments made by Mr. Laing himself when compared to the comments made by two former controllers of customs, Mr. John Rolle and Mr. Caleb Hepburn, it becomes abundantly clear that Mr. Laing at best has some questions to answer and at worst may be criminally liable for intending to defraud Bahamas customs of revenue to the benefit of his family members.
Last week in interviews with Bahama Journal reporters, these two former controllers confirmed that the actions of the Ministry of Finance initiated by Mr. Laing were illegal. They stated clearly that an attempt to re-classify a product in the wrong category was not only unusual but illegal. Mr. Laing’s actions on behalf of his sister in law went beyond the bounds of what would be deemed acceptable when considering a conflict of interest. The test in our Westminster System is one that makes even the appearance of a conflict of interest a violation.
As a result Mr. Laing without further explanation or clarification seems clearly to be in breach of what is acceptable and or lawful by his actions and admissions. Why did Mr. Laing not put this issue as it relates to his family members in the hands of someone else? Why did his brother feel the need to call Mr. Laing and intervene on his wife’s behalf after she had already pursued the proper channels? Why didn’t Mr. Laing seek the advice of those who would be more competent with regards to what is usual and legal with regards to the re-classification of custom rates? And if there was “nothing wrong” with the actions of Mr. Laing as the Prime Minister contends, why doesn’t he and Mr. Laing challenge the voracity and credibility of the two former controllers of customs.
For the Prime Minister to callously come out in the face of all these facts and unequivocally say that he sees nothing wrong with the actions of the Junior Minister in his ministry is insulting to the intelligence of the Bahamian people. Even a blind man can see that there are some serious questions to be asked that go to the integrity of Mr. Laing. It is a disgrace for a Bahamian Prime Minister in 2008 to take the Bahamian people for fools. This is not the 1960’s when only politicians had an education. Does the Prime Minister really think that Bahamian people cannot see for themselves that this whole scandal reeks of nepotism, special favor, and possibly a conspiracy to defraud the Bahamian people? Mr. Ingraham should be ashamed to talk about transparent governance. What is so transparent about the actions of Mr. Laing. He should be ashamed to talk about responsible government. When will this junior minister be held responsible for his actions? He should be ashamed to talk about accountability. When will he hold Mr. Laing accountable for what appears to be a blatant disregard for laws and trust of the Bahamian people.
Mr. Ingraham, you are no different than the former Prime Minister Christie. When you came to power less than a year ago, you promised change. You criticized him rightfully so for his inaction in holding his ministers accountable. And here we are less than a year in your government and you are doing the same thing. The BDM told the Bahamian people that there is no difference between the PLP and the FNM. They both take the Bahamian people for granted. They both take the Bahamian people for fools and this makes Mr. Ingraham an even bigger hypocrite than the former Prime Minister. Just like the former Prime Minister, if you do not move to hold your Ministers accountable, there will be a price to pay
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Omar B Smith
Deputy Leader
The Bahamas Democratic Movement
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