Former Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson yesterday called on the government to provide answers over the $10 million in works underway at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium
"We cannot find any bid jobs related to these $10 million worth of projects on the government's procurement portal," the East Grand Bahama MP said in a statement.
He said the government must reveal who is funding the project; which agency has authority over it; and who are the contractors and the value of their contracts.
"If the project funding is coming from allocations under the management control of a government agency or the National Sports Authority, then the relevant provisions of the Public Procurement Acts 2021 and 2023 must have been followed.
"Where were the opportunities to bid listed on the government procurement portal?
"If they were not listed, the government must explain why it broke the law in the award of these contracts?
"Was there a competitive bidding process?
"Did they go to the Public Procurement Board? Why has the government circumvented the law preventing Bahamians from having the opportunity to benefit from this $10 million project.
"This is typical PLP behavior where their typical arrogance leads them to the wrong-headed conclusion that they do not owe Bahamians a fulsome accounting on matters related to public assets."
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg told The Nassau Guardian on Tuesday that the money is being used for the entire refurbishment of the stadium and the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex.
In April, Bowleg said the last estimate had placed the needed works at the stadium at around $30 million, and the Chinese government offered to assist with funding the repairs.
When asked whether the arrangement was finalized with the Chinese regarding their contribution to the upgrades, the minister said that while the embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have started discussions and reached some kind of an agreement, nothing has been finalized.
As such, he could not reveal how much the Chinese will pump into the renovations.
The stadium was a gift from the People's Republic of China to The Bahamas with a formal handing over taking place in 2011.
It has deteriorated since then.
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