Opposition Leader Michael Pintard yesterday questioned the driving force behind the "staggering" increase to build a new prison that was recently revealed by Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe.

Munroe said the cost to build a new prison facility increased from $45 million to $90 million.

"The government should be very transparent with all of that information just so that the public can be reasonably assured that they have done all of the things that they are required to do by law and that they have taken into consideration all of the points that are being raised by many members in the public," Pintard said.

"Obviously, the figures were quite staggering ... In every circle that I move in people start to make comparisons. People are saying that in Grand Bahama we need a hospital. In New Providence we need a hospital. What is the price point around the construction of the hospital in New Providence? How does that compare to the construction of a correctional facility?"

According to Munroe, Walker's Industries, which is doing work on the prison, will be paid $9 million upfront for the work.

"We're not even paying them as the construction proceeds," Munroe said.

"We're giving them a one-time payment and they have to pay for everything else up to conclusion. I've been advised that they have resolved their financing and so, they should be in a position to proceed.

"The government isn't paying $90 million for this to be built. The government on the current proposition is paying $9 million and then they will have to build this to completion with us not paying one penny more.

"They have to hand it over to us, turnkey ready to go and then we will pay them the balance of the money over 10 years for the prison and eight years for the [virtual] court."

Pintard said the Davis administration should state whether it went through the procurement process for the project and explain the design of the facility.

"Both governments have had projects that are single sourced (no competitive bidding)," the opposition leader noted.

"If you single sourced it, you are duty bound, in this environment of heightened concern about transparency and accountability, to give your justification. There may very well be a solid reason for single sourcing it. I'm not sure what that is but they are duty bound to have that conversation with the public."

When questioned about the bidding process earlier this week, Munroe said there was no bidding for the contract.

"We met the vendor in place and continued," he said.

He said that most construction for prisons is single sourced.

"The design previously advanced was only a housing unit in an outdated design," Munroe said.

"The American Correctional Association advised against the outdated design. An administrative block, parole block, mental health housing unit, mental health clinic and chapel were added to permit certification as a correctional institution.

"The virtual court that is currently undersized is to be demolished and reconstructed to accommodate the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Magistrate's Court."

It is unclear when construction of the new facility will begin. Munroe previously said he hoped work would start in January 2023.

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