The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday questioned whether the apparently strained financial relationship between Renew Bahamas and the government is linked to a series of landfill fires in recent weeks and called on both parties to "come clean".

In its statement, the FNM referenced an email sent to one of Renew Bahamas' subcontractors indicating that it was waiting on a resolution from the government and as a result was unable to settle the full payment, and that was the case "across all our suppliers".

The subcontractor, James McPhee of EJ's Trucking & Heavy Duty Equipment, is owed $26,675 for excavator and dump truck services provided last month.

According to McPhee, he received a $3,000 check yesterday.

In an email dated April 19, 2016, Renew Bahamas responded to McPhee saying, "We can make an interim payment today on this invoice with another one to follow as soon as we get resolution from the government. Please note that we are not in a position to settle in full today -- this is the case across all our suppliers, while we wait for the government to make [a] decision on their support for us."

When contacted, Renew Bahamas President and CEO Gerhard Beukes confirmed the email was accurate, but did not respond to assertions about the landfill fires.

The email was sent by Sarah Beukes and was copied to Renew Bahamas' executives.

The FNM said the Renew Bahamas' statement was extremely troubling given the recurring fires at the landfill.

"Residents must question to what extent did the 'wait for the government' contribute to this ongoing environmental disaster and health hazard from densely polluted air," the FNM said.

"The FNM is further distressed to learn of alleged reports that many Bahamians will join the unemployment line as Renew Bahamas scrambles to make its payroll.

"The FNM calls on the government to come clean with the Bahamian people and fully disclose the contract and other arrangements with Renew.

"We also call upon the government to assure residents that it is current with outstanding payments due to Renew Bahamas Limited and that any delays in payments had no contributory effect on the state of the landfill and fires."

Beukes said Renew and the government were in discussions to resolve various issues.

McPhee provided water truck services during one of the recent landfill fires, Beukes said.

He indicated that Renew did not send that email to any other subcontractors.

"We are disappointed that he (McPhee) has decided to take the approach he has taken.

"There are other ways to try and get this resolved.

"So, we are a little disappointed that he has decided to take this approach."

When asked about the financial position of the company, Beukes said Renew is in discussions with the government over "various aspects regarding the landfill and contractual mechanics".

However, McPhee told The Guardian he previously spoke to Andrew Knowles, head of communications at Renew, to resolve the outstanding payment.

While McPhee said Knowles did his best to resolve the matter, the partial payment of $3,000 was not reasonable, insisting he has bills and a family to provide for.

McPhee also claimed he is among Baha Mar's creditors and is owed thousands of dollars.

"I am not going to debate Mr. Beukes, whatever he says, but if you read the email, which I did not get out of my political garbage bin, it says other contractors are almost in the same position," McPhee said.

"So, obviously they must have some form of communication with them.

"They said they would give me an interim payment, and I got it, and my thing is I have no agreement with the government.

"You contracted me to work. We agreed and I was supposed to be paid in the timeline we agreed to.

"I have bills and a family."

By Royston Jones Jr.

Guardian Staff Reporter

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