Someone in the Ministry of Works will be held accountable for failing to ensure that all contractors for the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) had the requisite all-risk insurance, Minister of State for Works and Urban Development Arnold Forbes told The Nassau Guardian.
"I'm sure that there will be people who are held accountable in the ministry and I am sure you will hear from the deputy prime minister as far as what action will be taken, and I'm sure that action will be taken," said Forbes, when asked whether anyone will be held accountable in this matter.
"There is no way that monies, public funds are spent and we are not securing those funds to ensure that the public's interest is protected. So there will be consequences based on this. I'm sure there will be. And again, the deputy prime minister will address these consequences very shortly and I'm sure he will explain the reasons why he is making these decisions."
Forbes' most recent interview with The Nassau Guardian in relation to the BAMSI controversy represents the latest twist in the ongoing debacle. But Forbes said he does not think Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, who is minister of works, should resign, as the Official Opposition is demanding.
Last month, Davis told the House of Assembly that the contractor for the BAMSI male dorm that was destroyed by fire on January 15 had all risk insurance at the time the contract was executed. Two weeks later, Davis said he had checked the file and there was never any insurance in place.
"I don't see the reason why he should resign," Forbes said. "I really can't say that he should. I don't believe that he should. If you know a minister's job is a very hectic job. There's a lot to do and if the minister is going to sit down and scrutinize every contract, every piece of paper that comes through the Ministry of Works, we would be at a standstill.
"There are individuals in there who should be looking at these matters and protecting [public funds]."
Neither Davis nor Forbes has said whether all of the other 13 BAMSI contractors had insurance in place as of January 15.
While Prime Minister Perry Christie said last Wednesday he was advised that all the contractors have insurance, he too did not indicate whether they rushed to get that insurance after the controversy that erupted in the wake of the dorm fire.
Forbes told The Nassau Guardian there is no confirmation that insurance is now in place for all the contracts.
"I can't say for sure," he said. "I don't want anyone to bring me any one page document saying that they have insurance or whatever else. I've asked all of the contractors, I would like a letter on letterhead from insurance companies outlining what the insurance is, when it was taken out, when it was expired.
"Some of them are having a little challenge getting it but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt presently and that is why we have not completely reviewed this matter. As you know, I took over this matter probably I think it was a week on Monday, so I'm giving them an opportunity, at least until next week Thursday (March 26) to bring in all of the letters from insurance companies."
Asked whether evidence of insurance should not already be on the ministry's files, Forbes said, "We are checking our files, but most of the people would have probably gotten a plain certificate. I'm not accepting that. I want them to bring me proof from these insurance companies."
Forbes admitted that he had not checked all of the files as yet.
"They will bring me all of the information and I will make my decision," he said. "I've not looked at them personally, so I cannot say if they are (insured), but what I am saying they may very well be on file and I've not looked at it yet."
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