Amid calls for more transparency regarding the pending Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) break-up deal, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said yesterday the public will be consulted before any decision is made.
However, Davis insisted that the demand for more transparency "is political rhetoric, as always".
Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney last month called for more transparency regarding the BEC restructuring.
"The word transparency is a political appendage that one seeks to pull out of the hat whenever there is a need for attention; that's what I see," Davis said.
"I mean at the end of the day, the Bahamian people will be fully informed about what is happening, and has happened, and the timeline."
Prime Minister Perry Christie has said the government will not make similar errors with this deal that he insisted the former administration made with the majority sale of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company.
There are five companies that remain in the running to be part of the energy sector overhaul.
Davis said he expects a recommendation to be presented to Cabinet by March 18.
When asked why the government has not revealed more details on the planned restructuring and the companies involved, Davis said, "There are times when you don't allow information to get out because the information getting out could compromise the process.
"In this instance, we are attempting to preserve the integrity of the process.
"And once that is completed the Bahamian people will know, and before any decision is taken the Bahamian people will know, and have a part in it."
Davis said the government will meet with its advisors, KPMG (Bahamas), this week to finalize which of the bidders, if any, will be put forward.
KPMG has provided the government with advice and recommendations regarding the break-up and is responsible for updating the public on any developments.
Last month, BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller said it does not make sense for the government to bring in a foreign entity to generate power and then sell it back to BEC.
Although he admitted BEC does not have the capital to borrow enough money for a new power plant, Miller noted the corporation has been generating power for the entire country with the exception of Grand Bahama for more than 60 years.
In response, Davis said, "That is his view, but... to find new capital, to create new generation capacity and to renovate the capacity that we do have has to come from somewhere.
"And the question is, where from? Government debt is such that red flags have been hoisted as to whether we could add more to it."
However, Davis said if the government finds that engaging a private entity is not in the best interest of the Bahamas, it would look at BEC "and try to continue as it is".
He said a Cabinet sub-committee completed meetings with each of the bidders.
That sub-committee has since held several internal meetings to analyze the proposals, Davis added.

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