WORKS and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears said Deloitte has been engaged in a forensic examination of Bahamas Power and Light and officials should receive that report "shortly".

“Deloitte is currently engaged in a forensic audit and I expect that audit will be before us shortly and once we have the audit, we will share it. We will put it before the House of Assembly,” he said on Friday.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said last August his administration is considering staging a number of official inquiries, among them one that will look into the affairs of BPL.

However, Mr Sears could not say whether a televised inquiry was on the table.

“No, you’d have to speak with the prime minister. I’m focusing on the portfolio I hold and I can confirm that Deloitte is and has been engaged in a forensic examination of BPL and we should receive that report shortly.”

In November, it was reported that the government has hired Deloitte & Touche to conduct a 30-day “rapid assessment” of BPL’s massive $535m refinancing. Mr Sears told the House of Assembly that the Davis administration is “currently reviewing BPL” to determine if the proposed rate reduction bond (RRB) placement and other initiatives designed to restore the energy utility to financial and operational stability should proceed.

Meanwhile, the minister also gave an update on the committee set up to assess shanty towns.

“Two things: one is we have put together an inter-ministerial group which comprises of eight ministries, because they relate to the various issues involved. We will be seeking Cabinet approval for the constitution and functions of that committee within the next two weeks and the committee will then be able to speak with you and give you an update in terms of their work plan and their progress from time to time,” he said.

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